There are several wheelchair accessible playgrounds in Utah that are great for children with physical disabilities. As a parent of a daughter with Cerebral Palsy it's important to our family that these playgrounds exist and provide inclusive play spaces- not only for my daughter to be able to have fun, but for her to have an equitable and inclusive experience when she's out in the community. If you're looking for accessible playgrounds in Utah, hopefully one of these 13 options are close to where you live.
Why Wheelchair Accessible Playgrounds In Utah Matter:
Wheelchair accessible playground sin Utah matter because it is important for both children with and without disabilities to be able to play and access the world together. Inclusive playgrounds allow for a neutral territory where these experiences and inclusion can happen. It's a safe space for children of all abilities to learn how to interact with each other and form meaningful relationships.
Wheelchair Accessible Playgrounds In Utah:
There are 13 wheelchair accessible playgrounds in Utah that I am aware of personally. If I missed one on my list, please reach out in the comments of this post and let me know so that I can update the list. As far as I'm aware, there is at least one accessible playground in all the major counties/areas of Utah, so hopefully if you're in need of a playground there is one near you.
- Adventure Playground: 290 N 400 E Logan, UT (in the Whittier Community Center)
- Veteran’s Memorial Park: 1985 W 7800 S West Jordan, UT
- All Together Playground: 200-298 100 N Orem, Utah (in City Center Park)
- Chloe Sunshine Playground: 1800 S 2000 W Syracuse, UT (In Centennial Park)
- Thunder Junction: 1851 S Dixie Drive St. George, UT
- Adventure Heights All Abilities Park: 1321 E Canyon Rd, Spanish Fork, UT
- Creekside Park: 600 Mill St. Bountiful, UT
- Liberty Park: 600 Harvey Milk Blvd. Salt Lake City, UT
- Sugar House Park:1330 E 2100 S. Salt Lake City, UT
- L&L Hamilton Park Herriman: 13475 S 6400 W, Herriman, UT
- Draper City Park: 12500 S 1300 E, Draper, UT
- East River Front Park: 10900 S River Front Pkwy, South Jordan, UT
- Lester Park: 663 24th St, Ogden, UT
Tips for Visiting Wheelchair Accessible Playgrounds for Children Without Disabilities:
Parents of children who do not have disabilities: as parents of a child with a disability, we first want to say that we love that you choose to have your children play at playgrounds with our children. We hope that playing together teaches your children about empathy and respect for children with disabilities. I want you to know that it's okay for your child to ask what happened to my child. They can ask questions and we never want to create and environment where it's not okay to have open conversations around disability. We hope that you have conversations with your children that focus on everyone being unique and different, that some bodies move and look differently, but that it's okay and that it doesn't make it bad! We love interacting with you. As a side note, when I see your child playing with my child at the playground, I might cry, but it's only because I'm grateful. The end.
The Weber School Foundation has recently built quite a few brand new all-ability wheelchair accessible playgrounds for schools in Weber County. I have been to Green Acres Elementary playground (in North Ogden, UT ) and it is pretty nice. The Green Acres playground is fully fenced in and has sidewalks that go from the parking lot to the playground for easy access. It has a solid rubber surface and a merry go round with high backs along with a few other fun features. I have also heard that Plain City Elementary and North Park Elementary in Roy also have the wheelchair accessible playgrounds but I have not visited them myself. All the public elementary schools are open to the public after school hours, on weekends and all summer. I really hope that more playgrounds will become inclusive to all abilities and kids. It kind of baffles me that there are so many kids that would love them and so few built in Utah.
ReplyDeleteI am looking for a park that is fenced in for autistic children that like to run. I work for DSPD and my family Im looking for is in Taylorsville.
ReplyDeleteI don't specifically know of any, but am digging for you! My email is paigeflamm@gmail.com if you want to connect further. I'm also on instagram @heypaigeflamm. I've asked on there if anyone knows of options in that area as well. I'll report back when I hear!
Delete