Shared Playground
A shared playground offers multiple opportunities for North and Bridge students to engage socially. North School students from preschool through 5th grade use the playground for structured physical education activities and for free play at recess. Some Bridge School students are involved in the structured physical education program and all Bridge students interact with North School students during recess periods.
For many years the playground was inaccessible to Bridge School students. The ground covering was tanbark that reached a depth of 19 inches. Wheel chairs and walkers sank up to their hubs and quickly came to a grinding halt in this medium. There were two accessible swings on the playground, but staff members would have to pick up the students and carry them to the swings. A merry-go-round was another feature that our students enjoyed, but without assistance, they could not access the structure.
In 2009 – 2010, Bridge and North School parents redesigned the playground and with funds that had been set aside for this project and funding from The Bridge School Parent Fund, the site was renovated with careful consideration as to accessibility. The result of this collaborative effort was a more accessible playground with more options for all children to enjoy.
Prior to the renovation, all wheelchairs and walkers had to be left on the asphalt surface of the playground. Staff had to carry the students to the area they wanted to explore.
The merry-go-round was fun for all students, but required the staff to lift the students from their wheelchairs, carry them across the tanbark and sit with them on the ride.
The adapted swings made it possible for Bridge School students to sit independently and safely. The tanbark was the major obstacle to reaching this structure.
In 2009-2010, renovation work began to transform the playground into a more child friendly, accessible space.
A padded, rubberized surface over the entire footprint of the playground gave Bridge School students freedom to go where they chose independently. This encouraged more interactions among the students and enhanced the physical activity of all students.
A series of ramps gave our students access to the play structure. Interactive tools – wheels to turn, drums to beat, bells to ring – were placed strategically along the ramps for the students to play with.
Both wheelchairs and walkers could navigate the structure ramps and students were able to interact with their peers and North School students while they played.
A playground is the perfect place to socialize and make friends. Accessibility is a critical concern in the construction of this area.
