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<br />WS – Item 3 <br /> <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 3 <br /> <br /> <br />Date: March 6, 2023 <br /> <br />To: City Council <br /> <br />From: Rick DeGardner, Public Services Director <br /> <br />Re: Playground Equipment Design in Neighborhood Parks <br /> <br /> <br />Background <br /> <br />During the February 13 work session, the City Council expressed interest in exploring the <br />concept of designing all future playgrounds to be 100% ADA accessible and inclusive. <br /> <br />Mr. Bill Johnson of Northland Recreation will attend the work session to explain ADA <br />compliance, ADA accessibility, and inclusive playgrounds. Typical neighborhood <br />playground design and destination inclusive playgrounds will be discussed. <br /> <br />Inclusivity means the playground is designed to meet the needs of children who use a <br />mobility device, are sight-impaired, have autism, have a sensory processing disorder or <br />another condition. An inclusive playground design takes multiple types of physical and <br />mental conditions into account to provide the resources for children of all abilities to have <br />a rewarding play experience without being relegated to a separate area of the park. <br />Although every child may not be well suited for every activity, an inclusive playground <br />features a variety of special needs playground equipment so differently abled children can <br />choose how they enjoy their time at the playground. By enabling children of all <br />developmental stages and abilities to play in the same space, an inclusive playground <br />creates a nurturing environment for everyone.