Limitless Playgrounds: Breaking Boundaries
Playgrounds have always been a cornerstone of childhood, offering spaces for fun, exploration, and social interaction. However, traditional playgrounds often come with limitations that can exclude people with different abilities. Enter the concept of limitless playgrounds—innovative spaces designed to break down these barriers and create inclusive environments where every person, regardless of their abilities, can play, explore, and connect. This World Landscape Architecture Month, we celebrate the impact of these playgrounds and their role in creating a more inclusive world for all.
What are Limitless Playgrounds?
A limitless playground reimagines traditional playgrounds as spaces without boundaries. It’s about breaking limitations so that every person can participate in play. These playgrounds are designed to be universally inclusive, ensuring that people with physical, sensory, cognitive, or emotional differences can all play together. They are barrier-free, with no steps without ramps, no sand-only zones, or equipment that only some can use.
Core Ideas Behind a Limitless Playground
Limitless in Access
Limitless playgrounds feature pour-in-place rubber surfacing, providing a stable surface for wheelchairs and walkers. They also include adaptive play equipment like specialty swings and merry-go-rounds, allowing people with mobility challenges to enjoy playing with their peers.
Limitless in Creativity
These playgrounds encourage open-ended play, allowing users to invent their own games, build, deconstruct, and reshape parts of the space. Instead of just climbing here and sliding there, people can engage in imaginative play that fosters creativity and problem-solving skills. The playground becomes a canvas for their creativity, where they can explore and create without limitations.
Limitless in Exploration
Limitless playgrounds include multi-sensory zones that engage touch, sound, light, and movement. They use nature, art, and technology to keep the space ever evolving and surprising. People can explore different sensory experiences, from composing music on a xylophone bench to splashing in a sound-responsive water stream. These playgrounds provide endless opportunities for exploration and discovery.
Limitless in Belonging
These playgrounds welcome all ages and cultures, building community through play. They provide spaces for parents, grandparents, and caregivers to engage, too. By creating inclusive environments, limitless playgrounds foster a sense of belonging and community, where everyone can participate and enjoy the benefits of play.
Savannah’s Playground: A Case Study in Myrtle Beach, SC
One of the shining examples of a limitless playground is Savannah’s Playground in the City of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. This project was planned and designed to accommodate people with disabilities and is located within the Market Common area of Myrtle Beach. The park’s first phase includes the playground and a musical park. Savannah’s Playground initially opened behind the Crabtree Memorial Gymnasium at Market Common in fall of 2016. The playground saw its first expansion in 2017, including additional play equipment and some improved accessibility features. There was a second expansion in 2018 which added adaptive chairs on the zip lines and swings, as well as introducing the harmony music park.
Savannah’s Playground includes several all-inclusive play structures, offering additional opportunities for kids of all ages and abilities to enjoy themselves. Bolton & Menk worked with the City of Myrtle Beach and Carolina Parks and Play, LLC to conceive this next phase. This phase expanded the current playground footprint to the opposite side of the existing pond.
Savannah’s Playground features ADA-approved playground equipment and structures designed to provide everyone the opportunity for social interaction. The playground includes sensory play panels, pulse table tennis, outdoor musical instruments, a sensory wall, and adaptive play equipment such as specialty swings and merry-go-rounds. The playground also features calm, shaded areas to help prevent overstimulation and provide a quiet space.
The playground was inspired by Savannah Thompson, who invoked the vision for Mayor John Rhodes to create an inclusive playground. During the grand opening ceremonies, the crowd joined Representative Alan Clemons in proclaiming the first Saturday in September as Savannah Thompson Day. Savannah’s Playground is a significant part of Mayor John Rhodes’ commitment to expanded recreational facilities for people of all abilities.
Limitless playgrounds offer a play space for creativity, exploration, and community. By addressing physical, creative, social, and emotional needs, these playgrounds enable everyone to participate in play. Learn about our approach to designing inclusive parks, recreation, and open spaces that are durable and sustainable.
Zoe is a landscape designer who began her career in 2023. She produces graphics and construction documents and attends public meetings and site visits to ensure her designs meet the needs of our clients. Her passion for working with native plantings and designing for specific sensory needs and disabilities makes her a unique asset to any team. Zoe’s drive comes from her belief that people’s lives can be made easier by making small but impactful design choices.
