Shane's Inspiration:
An Assessment of a Playground for Children Living with and without Disabilities

Gergana Kodjebacheva
School of Public Health
University of California-Los Angeles

Citation: Kodjebacheva, Gergana (2008). "Shane's Inspiration: An Assessment of a Playground for Children Living with and without Disabilities ." Children, Youth and Environments 18 (2): 219-235. Retrieved [date] from http://www.colorado.edu/journals/cye/

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Abstract

Boundless playgrounds accommodate children living with and without disabilities. This field report examines one of the largest boundless playgrounds in the United States, Shane’s Inspiration in Los Angeles, California, through observations of design features and play behaviors of 56 children with physical disabilities. Shane’s Inspiration incorporates paths, apparatus, and social play areas that allow for the free flow of children using wheelchairs and crutches. The children’s play was primarily passive and included exploration of the playground. Although children accessed most playground areas, they had few opportunities for functional play and did not engage in group social play. The report concludes with recommendations for future research and interventions to help increase different types of play in children with disabilities.

Keywords: disabilities, design, play, playgrounds, boundless playgrounds, wheelchairs