With the Bay Area's size and population, the demand and desire for parks that cater to all abilities and all ages has understandably grown louder in recent years. The Tri-Valley Area comprises three well-established, well-populated cities without close access to a safe and fully inclusive play space that caters to a range of abilities and ages. Recognizing this gap, in 2018, the City of Dublin embarked on the journey to renovate the existing play area at Dublin Sports Grounds, a popular large park, located in the heart of the city. Imagine Playground was dedicated in March 2021 and stands as Tri-Valley's first all-abilities playground.

The Community
From the project's inception, community involvement was an essential part of the design process. A six-month comprehensive public outreach program sought input from current residents and future end-users. The City of Dublin and Gates + Associates hosted pop-up booths at two City-sponsored events and facilitated stakeholder meetings with individuals and organizations who worked with people with special needs, including Dublin Unified School District Special Education teachers, sports field user groups, Little League Challenger Baseball, and the School of Imagination. All feedback was summarized and analyzed to identify trends and themes in preferences and used to inform design decisions in the conceptual plan. Each outreach event also hosted an interactive rock painting activity for children, where participants could paint rocks that were installed in the new park.

 

The Playspace
Landscape Architecture firm based in Walnut Creek, California, Gates + Associates, led the design and construction of this recreation destination specifically to be enjoyed by people with all kinds of special needs. The $5.06-million project included a new all-abilities playground as the cornerstone feature, complemented by an all-inclusive picnic area, upgraded landscape, parking facilities, an ADA-compliant restroom, and pathways to improve accessibility and connectivity to other park features. The playground features state-of-the-art play equipment for ages 2-12, an intergenerational fitness zone, interactive music installations, and colorful site furnishings.
The play equipment at Imagine Playground is eye-catching and unique, incorporating a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and activities - truly offering something for everyone. The main attraction is Berliner Seilfabrik Play structure, The Geoball.05, a large dome structure that allows for free play climbing on the outside as well as the use of additional accessories on the inside. Described as a real play circus, the structure combines a network of nets surrounded by a ring of hammocks, hand-over-hand loop ropes, and climbing ropes. A large opening on one side of the structure allows people in wheelchairs to move freely within the interior.
Younger children can enjoy play equipment that was modified to accommodate kids aged two to five. HDPE stepping pods lead to the structure, which is connected by a suspension bridge. The play element features an HDPE slide, as well as Sand Play and Track-the-Mouse panels underneath that are accessible by everyone.
With activities at every level, there is something for everyone to enjoy. A roller slide was added as well as many interactive play panels and opportunities to climb, spin, and learn.
There is a toddler area featuring play elements. The nature-inspired elements allow for safe and inclusive play for all ages, and full supervision, as all of the elements have pickets or structures that provide visibility in and through the play elements. This play area is tucked into the far side of the site to allow for quiet and protected play.
A fitness area is just to the south of the play space. It includes several elements that allow for body weight movement. It was intended to provide a space for physical activity near the play area and central to the overall sports park that allows users to engage in physical activity.
The design team focused the hardscape to create impact in key locations like the playground entry points and different activity areas. Integral color concrete was used at the park entry to draw users to the playground entry gate. Once in the play area, the rubber safety surfacing color and pattern mimic wind or flow patterns that draw the user in and through the different use zones.
Near the center, shaded by existing redwood trees, is a sensory path. As users follow the path, they develop their gross motor skills and experience different responses. One of the sensory path textures is made of river rocks. Painted rocks created by children during an early community outreach event for the park are in this section of the sensory path.

Conclusion
The project has served as an inspiration and educational model for other municipalities and landscape architecture firms. During the construction phase in mid-2020, several local agencies reached out to the design team for input and assistance in planning future all-abilities parks in their communities. One city even asked for assistance in developing a policy that will require future park developments and housing to incorporate all-abilities parks in their planning and design. Other firms and city officials have also requested park tours to better understand the intricacies of designing an all-abilities playground. To date, 10 "meet us at the playground park tours" have been held to explore all that Imagine Playground has to offer.