The playground is a major center of childhood development. It becomes a child’s world, where they can develop social skills, exercise, and practice emotional regulation. However, traditional playgrounds aren’t always friendly to children with disabilities, limiting participation. Creating an inclusive playground requires following ADA guidelines.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provides standards for public spaces, including playgrounds, so children with disabilities can enjoy them just as much as other kids. Due to its unique properties, playground turf can be used to create a safe, ADA-compliant play area in Gilbert, AZ. Its benefits include safety, cleanliness, and low-maintenance savings! Follow our helpful guide to learn how to use synthetic turf products to create a fun, beautiful, ADA-compliant playground for your home, business, or community!

Ensure a Consistent Surface Area

The more carefully you plan, the more effective you’ll be at designing an ADA-compliant playground. Start by ensuring a consistent, smooth surface across the entire playground. This is essential for providing ease of movement. You want to prevent any obstacles from impairing a child’s ability to access the playground, especially if they are in a wheelchair or on crutches.

Playground turf is engineered with specified blade lengths that are perfectly consistent, preventing unexpected changes in elevation that may snag or impair movement. To comply with the ADA, install and secure artificial grass products with slopes no greater than 5 percent.

Consider the Transitions

If you have different surfaces within your playground, focusing on the transition points is essential to prevent trip hazards. If you’re combining concrete and synthetic turf, ensure a seamless transition from one to the other. If there are changes in elevation, use ramps and beveled edges to ensure your playground complies with ADA standards. This factor is essential for preserving a consistent surface throughout your playground, regardless of material changes.

Design for Stability

An inclusive playground will experience all kinds of traffic, including wheelchairs and mobility aids, which may, if not prepared for, cause inconsistent elevation across the play area. Utilize high-quality playground turf reinforced with robust backings, like SGW Gilbert’s K29 Quadruple-Layered Action Backing. These durable backings prevent balding and fraying, ensuring a more stable and even surface.

Incorporate premium turf infill to stabilize your artificial grass playground with extra ballast. Infill holds turf fibers upright while weighing down your lawn, preventing it from shifting during intense activities like those experienced on playgrounds. Stability ensures that children with disabilities are safe while they play and prolongs your playground’s lifespan!

Incorporate Sensory Play

Textured areas are significant for neurodivergent children with high touch sensitivities. These areas, such as sandboxes, textured synthetic grass products, and other surfaces, provide stimulating sensory play. They also offer a self-soothing method for children with autism, who often calm themselves by engaging with satisfactory textures. You can also offer sound-generating equipment and other toys to engage high-sensitivity children.

Create ADA-Compliant Playgrounds with SGW Gilbert

If you want to treat children to an accessible play area, look no further than SGW Gilbert. We provide IPEMA-certified playground turf systems for optimal safety, comfort, and visual appeal. Our synthetic grass products mimic the plush texture of natural grass, ensuring a gentle surface that minimizes the risk of injury. We also deliver our artificial turf solutions with quick shipping and factory-direct prices to make playground turf more accessible for all! Call SGW Gilbert today at 800.571.1018 or contact us online to find an SGW warehouse near you.