AUSTIN'S FIRST PUBLIC
ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND!
AUSTIN'S FIRST PUBLIC ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND!
THE FUTURE SITE OF THE ALL ABILITIES PLAYGROUND
The Future Site of the All Abilities PLAYGROUND
- An inclusive play area
- An accessible (and inclusive) restroom facility
- Picnic pavilions for shade
- Drive connections and parking
- Innovative stormwater solutions and methods of maintenance
- Pedestrian trail connections to park and community
- An inclusive play area
- An accessible (and inclusive) restroom facility
- Picnic pavilions for shade
- Drive connections and parking
- Innovative stormwater solutions and methods of maintenance
- Pedestrian trail connections to park and community
What is an All Abilities Playground?
*Source: Children’s Usage of Inclusive Playgrounds: A Naturalistic Observation Study of Play
AUTHENTIC NATURE
- Design nature play areas, trails and respite vignettes that speak to the uniqueness of the natural setting.
- Maximize habitat areas to reintroduce native species (flora and fauna) allowing visitors to experience firsthand.
RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING
- Establish an environment that encourages exploration beyond comfort zone.
- Allow children at play to experience apprehension followed by accomplishment.
INCLUSIVITY
- Create and enhance natural environments experienced by all age groups and ability levels.
- Collaborate with medical and academic professionals to ensure spaces are comfortable for users of all abilities.
PRODUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT
- Design park elements that build, change, or affect their surroundings, increasing focus and stimulating imagination.
- Play doubling as work enhances early childhood skills.
- Loose parts, digging, and water play build confidence and create a sense of accomplishment.
- Programming for all improves community connection, provides educational opportunities and aids in park stewardship.
EXPLORATION
- Topography, planting and pathways encourage independent exploration.
- Identifying "play rooms" at different scales creates memorable experiences.
- Designing play areas that change—time of day to seasonal—creates a sense of wonder, appreciation and suspense.
What is an All Abilities Playground?
*Source: Children’s Usage of Inclusive Playgrounds: A Naturalistic Observation Study of Play
AUTHENTIC NATURE
- Design nature play areas, trails and respite vignettes that speak to the uniqueness of the natural setting.
- Maximize habitat areas to reintroduce native species (flora and fauna) allowing visitors to experience firsthand.
RESPONSIBLE RISK-TAKING
- Establish an environment that encourages exploration beyond comfort zone.
- Allow children at play to experience apprehension followed by accomplishment.
INCLUSIVITY
- Create and enhance natural environments experienced by all age groups and ability levels.
- Collaborate with medical and academic professionals to ensure spaces are comfortable for users of all abilities.
PRODUCTIVE ENGAGEMENT
- Design park elements that build, change, or affect their surroundings, increasing focus and stimulating imagination.
- Play doubling as work enhances early childhood skills.
- Loose parts, digging, and water play build confidence and create a sense of accomplishment.
- Programming for all improves community connection, provides educational opportunities and aids in park stewardship.
EXPLORATION
- Topography, planting and pathways encourage independent exploration.
- Identifying "play rooms" at different scales creates memorable experiences.
- Designing play areas that change—time of day to seasonal—creates a sense of wonder, appreciation and suspense.
Community Engagement
UPCOMING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS
Community Engagement
UPCOMING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENTS
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our first community engagement meeting on January 18, 2024. Your enthusiasm and innovative ideas will shape a truly inclusive and engaging space for all families and children.
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- Missed the Meeting? No Problem: If you couldn't attend, we've got you covered. A recording of the meeting is readily accessible for you to watch at your convenience. Get up to speed with the project details and feel the shared excitement.
- Missed the Meeting? No Problem: If you couldn't attend, we've got you covered. A recording of the meeting is readily accessible for you to watch at your convenience. Get up to speed with the project details and feel the shared excitement.
MEET THE PROJECT TEAM
Austin Parks Foundation partners with our community to enhance people’s lives by making our public parks, trails and green spaces better through volunteerism, innovative programming, advocacy and financial support.
All Austin Parks Foundation projects are done in partnership with The City of Austin and the Parks and Recreation Department. Learn more about our partnership on this project at the link below.
Founded in 1987, TBG specializes in landscape architecture, planning and environmental graphic design and practices a holistic design approach that encompasses everything from visioning and large-scale planning to detailed site-specific design and post-occupancy evaluation.
Community Engagement Specialist: Cultural Strategies
Civil Engineer: Malone Wheeler
Architect: Jobe Corral
Contact
For more information about the All Abilities Playground at Onion Creek Metropolitan Park, please email design@austinparks.org.
To learn more about possible funding opportunities, please contact Angela Osborn, VP of Marketing & Development, at angela.osborn@austinparks.org.
To learn more about Onion Creek Metropolitan Park and the All Abilities Playground, visit the PARD project site.
Contact
To learn more about possible funding opportunities, please contact Angela Osborn, VP of Marketing & Development, at angela.osborn@austinparks.org.
To learn more about Onion Creek Metropolitan Park and the All Abilities Playground, visit the PARD project site.