One of the steps Silver Oaks has taken this year to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community is to highlight a different topic each month. For October we are celebrating Diversity Awareness Month. Recently I took my children to a new playground in Columbia, MD that is designed to meet the needs of all. Before we went I asked my kids to think about what made this playground inclusive. As we explored, we discovered all kinds of inclusive design!

A variety of swings are available so all can have fun and be safe.

This pirate ship wiggles and is wheelchair accessible.

Not into climbing? There are lots of sensory activities to explore.

Communication Boards are stationed around for non-speaking people.

A Merry-Go-Round That is Wheelchair Accessible

Ramps provide access, and the structures being low to the ground are great for new walkers.

We went to the Blandair Regional Park in Columbia, MD. This park also has another playground and an agility course. This isn’t the only inclusive playground around. Some others to explore are Clemyjontri Park in Fairfax, Virginia, Opportunity Park in Bowie, and Fairland Regional Park in Laurel. If you go, see if your children can find the ways the playground works for everyone.