This inclusive playground in the North West community of Livingston has been specifically designed to be accessible for the hearing and visually impaired.
Location: map
Address: Livingston – Lucas Crescent and Lucas Parade NW
Parking: free street parking
Age Range: Age Range: 2-12 years
Ground cover: pour-in-place recycled tire
Features: Tall play structure with large tube slide, double slide, climbing rock and log climber. Zipline, ground level activities, saucer swing.
Surrounding park area: located in a small park area with some grassy spots and young trees.
Accessibility: This playground was designed to be accessible for people who are hearing and vision impaired. This playground also has ground level features and accessible flooring throughout the play space. Saucer swings provide play opportunities for kids who need support while swinging (either by laying or sitting with another person).
Playground Design Principles for vision or hearing impairment
Vision Impairment
- Brightly coloured equipment
- Use of sensory rich activities using textures and sounds for play equipment
- Identifiable boundaries
- Textures, sounds and patterns for navigation
- Accessible flooring
Hearing Impairment
- Use of tactile and sensory elements
- clear sightlines
- avoidance of clanging or scraping noises
- Slides that are safe for cochear implants (These are typically metal slides unlike the slides at this playground).
Shade: There are some young trees around the playground and a shaded area by the picnic tables
Seating: a few benches and picnic tables
Overall Assesment
This is a great new playground that a wide range of kids will enjoy. It is the only public playground in Calgary that I know of that was designed specifically with kids with vision and hearing impairments in mind.
The zipline and tall climber with twisty slide are sure to be big hits and for a small park, the setting is really lovely.
