The City of Chandler, AZ has opened their first universally accessible playground, which utilizes the seven elements of Universal Design, at Arrowhead Meadows Park. "We have been receiving calls from members of the community for the last several years who wanted to locate a Universally Accessible playground in the area, and we just didn't have anything," said Tyrone Allen, SR. Management Assistant for the City of Chandler Community Services Department. The Special Olympics is also a big part of the Chandler community and they were in support of having a playground where children of all abilities could play. Allen worked closely with the Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities to get the project started.

The Mayor's Committee for People with Disabilities was established in Chandler in 1990 to "serve as a liaison between citizens of Chandler who have disabilities, and/or those who serve individuals with disabilities and the City Council for the City of Chandler." The committee consists of nine members who assist and advise the City Council and staff on issues concerning the disabled of the community, such as accessibility, education, and employment. The City Council overwhelmingly approved the project and the $200,000 playground was completely funded by the City of Chandler. The City had a location selected for the playground, but later found out that the space would not easily accommodate all the amenities. They then decided on Arrowhead Meadows Park, another community park in the area that needed a playground renovation. The City of Chandler divides its parks into three categories: Neighborhood Parks, Community Parks, and Regional Parks. A community park was chosen as the home of the new accessible unit due to the fact they serve more area than a neighborhood park and they offer more amenities, such as accessible restrooms and parking areas.

The City decided on a GameTime unit designed by Triple M Recreation in Scottsdale, AZ. It displays bright, primary colors and features GameTime's innovative wide ramps, which allow two wheelchairs to pass each other, and accessible decks that allow children in mobility devices to reach the highest play components, a RockScape climber, and many ground level activities, including GTJams musical play, for those who are more comfortable using lower play components.

The structure is also covered in GTShade to provide protection from the sun on hot days. To complement the large, school age, accessible structure, a smaller unit was also installed nearby for preschool children ages 2-5, as well as several freestanding events, such as an ADA accessible stock car and a whirlwind seat. Engineered Wood Fiber and areas of colorful Poured Rubber were used as safety surfacing to allow impact attenuation from falls and help prevent injury. The Special Olympics groups around Chandler are already planning ways they can utilize the new play space. As the weather cools in the hot Arizona desert, more and more children will surely be visiting the new playground at Arrowhead Park.

Learn more about the Universal Design Playground program by GameTime by visiting their website: www.gametime.com.

Contact us if you are interested in possibly bringing a playground to your community that includes the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design.