Universal Play Universal Joy

Creating inclusive and accessible play spaces is increasingly important. PlayNation rounds up some of the latest new projects and equipment which have been designed and created with inclusiveness at their heart

A fully inclusive outdoor playground for Barnet

Fair Play Barnet has been described as the UK’s first maximum accessibility and inclusive playground. Located in Victoria Recreation Ground, Barnet, London, the purposefully designed playground was born from a three-way collaboration between Barnet Council, expert parents and the Council’s play contractor, KOMPAN. In early 2022, the Council was approached by a local resident who was keen on building a playground where people of all abilities could play together. With a leisure centre nearby to provide key supporting facilities such as Changing Places toilets, parking and a café, the council identified Victoria Recreation Ground to be an ideal location.

Designed for children and adults with disabilities, it includes a range of play equipment and features, such as spinning structures, rocking structures, sensory panels, and solid safety surfacing.

Fair Play Barnet features solid safety surfacing, sensory panels and adaptive play structures

Eibe partners with local community to create inclusive play space

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when studying from home became the new normal, a local community member called Dylan found a captivating project: designing a new community play area in the newly developed Wellesley estate in Aldershot, Hampshire. Envisioning a space that could be enjoyed by all, including those in wheelchairs, Dylan dove into research, exploring local play environments and potential suppliers.

Not content with just imagining possibilities, Dylan pushed to present his plan to the local council and Grainger PLC – the developer of the Wellesley estate – hoping to see his ideas come to life on the expansive greens adjacent to his residence. The timing was perfect, as Grainger PLC was required to expand existing recreational spaces to foster community engagement. Dylan’s proposals were thus integral to consultations with potential suppliers, outlining local desires for the recreational space.

In early 2020, Eibe Play had been commissioned to install several play structures in the area’s initial developmental phase. Given Eibe Play’s prior installations and strong reputation, Grainger PLC engaged them to tailor Dylan’s concept into a fully articulated design aimed at transforming the area into a cherished community hub. Eibe Play crafted a playground that aligned with their mission and responded to the community’s aspirations, as Dylan initially envisioned. They aimed to create a year-round accessible space promoting both physical and social skills for children aged 2-14, ensuring inclusion for every visitor, regardless of ability. A wetpour surface was selected to guarantee durability and accessibility, which is essential for a venue welcoming both wheelchairs and strollers. The play equipment was chosen from Eibe Play’s diverse collections and includes sensory play options enhancing the tactile experience of the area.

Dylan’s vision brings a fully inclusive, wheelchair-friendly playground to Wellesley’s new community greens

The grand opening was a community spectacle, welcoming 200 special guests who celebrated the unveiling with enthusiasm, marked by Dylan cutting the ribbon.

Wicksteed launches its Universally Inclusive range

Wicksteed has introduced its new Universally Inclusive range, which consists of six thoughtfully designed multiplay units that welcome all ages and abilities to join in the fun. The range has been created with inclusivity in mind. From open ramp access and dual-height handrails to bright yellow accessories for the partially sighted, the aim is to ensure no child feels left out. The equipment includes features such as sensory play panels that spark curiosity and encourage cooperation, wavy bridges that offer a fun challenge for both those on foot and those on wheels and double-width slides so carers and children can ride side-by-side.

There’s also quiet hammock seating, tucked beneath the towers – ideal for a little downtime – and a telescope to inspire imaginative adventures. Optional roof coverings offer shade and shelter, while clever layout choices reduce surfacing needs without compromising on play value.

With up to 16 inclusive play features and a flexible modular design, the Universally Inclusive range delivers a truly shared play experience—for everyone.

“At Wicksteed, we believe that play should be for everyone,” a company spokesperson said.

Inclusive playground wins prestigious SAPCA Award

Ju piter Play and Leisure won the SAPCA Award 2025 for Small Project of the Year for its work on an inclusive playground at Stanway Lakelands Community Centre, Colchester. Jupiter was commissioned to design, supply and install a play facility aimed at encouraging children of all abilities to be able to interact and play together. The clients – Colchester City Council and Essex County Council Short Breaks for Disabled children and Young People – put together a brief for the playground that prioritised true inclusion. The brief asked for elements such as physical play, imaginative and social play, individual and quiet play as well as risk and challenge for all users. The brief also asked for consideration to rest and recharge spaces – including seating and shaded areas – and for materials and colours to be used in a way to not over stimulate those with sensory issues.

Jupiter designed and created a bespoke unit to provide a range of opportunities for different kinds of play, with sensory play being a priority. The colour palette was kept deliberately neutral, with gentle pops of blue helping connect to their community centre. This allows neurodiverse children to not get overstimulated and be able to spend more time engaging with the play.

A bespoke, wheelchair- accessible multi-play unit and sensory zones let children of all abilities play side by side

The design provides a journey through the space, inspired by the adjacent community centre and country park. The most comprehensive element was the bespoke multi-play unit designed by the team to be fully accessible by wheelchair users. This is supplemented by a wide range of accessible and sensory play items.

Michael Hoenigmann, MD of Jupiter Play, says: “We wanted to create a space that children with special educational needs, sensory needs, and those with mobility related issues including wheelchair users, could play and interact alongside all other children.”

Proludic introduces inclusive seesaw

The Proludic Inclusive Seesaw has been designed with accessibility and safety in mind and can accommodates up to six users, including two wheelchair users. Key features include wheelchair access on both sides, a reliable wheel locking system and a spring and shock-absorbing mechanism that delivers smooth, stable rocking movements. The seesaw’s platform supports up to four standing children, facilitating shared play experiences and fostering social interaction.

Suitable for children aged three and above, the equipment supports various developmental functions such as balance, coordinated movement, and social interaction. Its ergonomic elements – such as safety side panels, metal handles, and wide platform areas – enhance accessibility and comfort, enabling children of differing abilities to participate confidently and securely.

Accommodating six children – including two wheelchair users – with smooth, stable rocking, the Proludic Inclusive Seesaw fosters shared play

Developed through research and testing, the Proludic Inclusive Seesaw offers a dependable, engaging play experience aligned with modern standards of inclusive design. It effectively combines functionality, safety, and developmental value in a single play structure.

Making Waves

The Wave water park in Coventry is considered one of the most accessible leisure centres in the UK. All water park levels are connected via a spiralling ramp to ensure all ages and abilities can access the fun. Ustigate Waterplay and Vortex were part of the team that collaborated to establish the water play at The Wave. Their tailor-made Elevations fits around The Cyclone’s plunge pool, utilising the entire footprint to include as many items as possible to maximise the play value. Exchanging steps for footbridges enabled an 85% accessible scheme for everyone to enjoy.

The Reef splash zone is a zero depth playscape that eliminates barriers of access, resulting in a level playing field for everyone. It includes gentle ground sprays and high octane and exhilarating splashes to appeal to water confident, thrill seekers too.

Spiral ramps and zero-depth splash zones make The Wave 85% accessible for all abilities

Each location has a multitude of products with differing water effects, each spraying in a different direction to enhance Coventry’s all-round experience.

The choice of colours delivers an essence of the outdoors inside; utilising the colours green and brown to create stems from the ground up and grassy graphics on the panels to deliver pastures new. The concept at The Wave is a sensational water meadow full of interactive and sensual elements to enlighten and enhance everyone’s experience through sight, sound and touch.

The design and build teams fulfilled every inclusive promise in establishing the best leisure facilities inside The Wave. Attention to detail in design leads to higher standards of inclusivity and accessibility that everyone can benefit from in their lives.

Accessible fun at Bamburgh Castle

Play specialist, Playscheme, used inclusive design to transform Bamburgh Castle’s play area into a truly accessible haven for all. Building upon the site’s legacy as a beloved community space since 2009, the revitalisation prioritised ensuring every child, regardless of ability, can fully engage and enjoy the play environment. Innovative, inclusive features are central to this transformation. The iconic Bamburgh Pirate Ship now boasts a DDA-compliant ramp, guaranteeing access for all. A basket swing and inclusive roundabout further enhance the range of accessible play experiences. Safety and ease of access were paramount, evidenced by the installation of an all-weather surface and levelled areas. This project underscores Playscheme’s commitment to inclusive design, demonstrating how thoughtful planning and construction can create play spaces where every child feels a sense of belonging and can create joyful memories together.

Rejuvenating a community play hub

Swadlincote Woodlands is a stunning 80-acre urban park in South Derbyshire which welcomes thousands of visitors every year. Its play area is extremely popular, but by late 2024, it was overdue for a thorough regeneration. Sutcliffe Play partnered with South Derbyshire District Council to help this rural space turn over a new leaf. Their design strove to meet the council’s desire to see greater inclusive play opportunities for children with disabilities. The finished space includes a bespoke Woodland Spider climbing frame, and it is complemented by a Nature Activity Centre, with its ground level design enabling children in wheelchairs or pushchairs to join the fun. Other additions include an inclusive Communications Panel and a perfectly balanced Four-Way Seesaw.

Elsewhere, a Single Point Swing can accommodate up to five users and its inclusive, open design allows children of different abilities to enjoy its immense play value together. Nearby, a new, 20-metre Cableway sits parallel with an existing zipline, creating a unique racing zone.

Sutcliffe Play’s makeover at Swadlincote Woodlands features wheelchair-friendly climbing frames, inclusive swings and a new 20m racing cableway

Chris Worman MBE from SDDC said: “Sutcliffe Play brought a professional approach, and the play area has been a big hit. The car park is now full on weekends and on school holidays, which is great to see!”