Aim Higher Than an Accessible Park, Aim for a Fully Inclusive Park!

Orbit Picnic Table by mmcité, Including the Inclusive ADA-compliant Version

The accessibility of public spaces is not a new concept, but it's time to rethink it!

We've been talking about accessibility in parks for over 30 years; it's been an active movement for a long time. The accessibility movement has brought many positive impacts to our public spaces: access ramps and adapted furniture are two innovative approaches that have been popularized to make our spaces more accessible for everyone!

Inclusive Seated Orbit Carousel by HAGS

However, when we talk about accessibility in our public spaces, the concept as traditionally perceived is quite limited: the measures often only target physical disabilities and leave out many other disadvantaged groups in public spaces, such as children, the elderly, and neurodivergent individuals.

Sensory Panels and Relaxation Area

Even for people with disabilities directly targeted by accessibility measures, they are far from perfect: a child in a wheelchair may be able to sit at the adapted picnic table but will have difficulty climbing into the play structure with their peers (assuming the cushioning surface allows it).

Traditional accessibility should not be a target to achieve, but a basic standard to build upon. Don't just aim for accessibility, but complete inclusivity: design our spaces for everyone, without obstacles to engaging with the place, its functions, and its visitors.

Inclusive All-User Seat for HAGS Swings

How to design fully inclusive parks?

Good news: there are a plethora of modern ways to make your parks inclusive for everyone! Here are some of our favorites to inspire you for your next public space project.

For people with physical disabilities and the elderly

Opt for adapted furniture: A classic and foolproof method: adapted furniture comes in all forms: picnic tables with a missing chair, extended edge or space designed to include a wheelchair, and benches with armrests to facilitate seat transfer are the two most common examples.

Orbit Picnic Tables by mmcité, featuring the Inclusive ADA-compliant version

Opt for flat and smooth surfaces: A compacted plastic cushioning surface is much more accessible for someone in a wheelchair than a cedar surface. The same idea applies to your pedestrian paths: asphalt or paved paths are much more inclusive for wheelchairs and walkers than gravel paths.

St. Charles Park in Dorval, Quebec - Project in collaboration with EXP

Consider including tree grates: especially in urban areas, trees are generally surrounded by soil holes that pose a risk of falling or getting stuck, so to make your parks inclusive, consider using tree grates to avoid these risks.

Tip: There are tree grates with integrated benches if you want to add even more functionality to your space!

Arbottura Steel Tree Grate by mmcité

Opt for adapted play equipment: Inclusive play means that everyone can access and fully enjoy it. There is a full range of equipment designed with this idea in mind, such as ground-level carousels, mobile boats, or swings with adapted seats. Also consider including easy access to your play structures, such as ramps and handrails.

HAGS Carousel, Ground-level for Easy Wheelchair Access

For children

Consider including play equipment: if your space is not designed to be a playground, it might still be interesting to include a few. Children need to have fun and expend their energy, which is more difficult if there are only benches and tables in a park. If you want to include play equipment without making your space look like a playground, you could opt for a playful wooden sculpture (doubling as a work of art) or a climbing exercise module like a climbing block.

Custom Bird - Playful Sculpture by Earthscape - Turin Park, Montreal, Quebec

Consider including furniture for children: smaller and lower to accommodate their smaller size, children's furniture allows the youngest to sit and relax like adults.

Orbit Children's Picnic Table by mmcité

Much more!

For neurodivergent individuals, consider equipping your play areas with sensory equipment and all your spaces with a quiet corner to refocus.

Various Types of Sensory Panels

For cyclists, consider including bike racks. It is even possible to integrate bike racks directly into your furniture!

Woody Park Bench with Integrated Bike Racks by mmcité

For those who want to work, consider including tables in your urban furniture. If you don't have space for standard tables, you can even integrate them directly into your benches!

Landscape Compact Park Bench with Integrated Table by mmcité

For night owls, consider including lighting in your spaces! It can easily be integrated into the furniture, for example, in bollards or benches.

Triangular Illuminated Woody Park Bench by mmcité