Opened in January 2020 as a first-of-its-kind amenity in the Santa Clarita Valley, the Inclusive Play Area at Canyon Country Park has become a favorite among Santa Clarita residents due to its features that allow for people of all abilities to play and enjoy their time together. The 9,500 sq. ft. western-themed play area has also garnered attention throughout the region, culminating in the American Public Works Association’s (APWA) Southern California Chapter recognizing the Inclusive Play Area as one of its 2020 Projects of the Year.
The Inclusive Play Area was conceptualized and developed through a strong collaboration with
individuals and families in Santa Clarita. As part of the design phase of the project, the City held
multiple town hall-style meetings to ensure the play area included the elements most important to the
community. A number of features in the Inclusive Play Area are the direct result of suggestions from
children and parents.
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PLAY ELEMENTS:
- A two-track zip line gives children a fun way to experience the sensation of flight on the playground. This two-track zip line includes a Zero-G seat for users who need additional body support and a steel disc seat, allowing for parallel play
- A Merry-Go-All, which is a fully accessible merry-go-round for multiple children to enjoy at one time. This inclusive play element is fun for kids of all abilities and encourages children to engage in social, collaborative play, working together to turn themselves
- Four types of swings: expression, adaptive seat, regular seat, and arch
- Expression swings are designed for adults and children of all abilities and promote intergenerational play, allowing an adult and child to interact face-to-face, resulting in emotional bonding while at play
- Adaptive swing seats provide additional body support allowing play for all abilities
- Seat swings
- Arch swings are a fun and accessible swing with a round swing seat for multiple children to enjoy at one time
- Four types of slides: spiral, zip, double, and roller. Slides offer adventure and fun for everyone
- Roller slide – A fun, inclusive play activity for children of all abilities. It provides distinctive developmental and play benefits such as enhanced balance and coordination. For children with sensory processing issues, the roller slide provides a calming sensory experience and can be incorporated into an occupational therapy protocol. Constructed entirely of steel and aluminum it’s also an ideal option when designing a playground for children with cochlear implants
- Double slide – Children love playing together or racing each other on this slide
- Spiral slide – Slide with fun twists
- Zip slide – Fun, traditional slide to zip down on
- Rock N Raft – The inclusive Rock N Raft is in the shape of a western covered wagon. This play element has seating for six and room for a person in a wheelchair to fit comfortably. The wagon rocks back and forth as the passengers cooperatively shift their weight or push the outside to achieve the momentum
- Sensory elements include:
- A variety of musical instruments are provided throughout the play area. The accessible design creates an inclusive, musical play environment for children of all abilities
- A variety of accessible sensory elements that appeal to a child’s sense of sight, hearing, and touch are provided throughout the play area, resulting in fun, engaging, and educational activities for children of all ages and abilities
