At Jewett Park in Deerfield, Illinois, intentional design meets meaningful inclusion, and the result is more than just a playground - it's a vibrant landscape of movement, exploration, and connection. Designed in collaboration with Play Illinois, the exclusive BCI Burke representative firm in Illinois, and Upland Design, a Plainfield, Illinois-based landscape architecture firm, this play environment showcases how a purpose-driven space can elevate community experiences.

An Adventurous First Impression
From first glance, Jewett Park makes a statement. Three vertical towers connected by four dynamic rope tunnels rise into view - offering both a literal and metaphorical elevation of what inclusive play can be. These towering structures invite children ages 5-12 to climb, crawl, and discover while maintaining visual sight lines that ensure caregivers can observe from every angle.

Inclusion Built In
Jewett Park's real innovation lies in its integration of accessibility and adventure. Dual ramp access allows children using mobility devices to engage with the play structure from multiple points - not just on the perimeter but as full participants, leaders, and explorers. This is not just access - inclusion is at the crux of the design, reflecting a paradigm shift in how we think about inclusive play.

 

"The open, vertical design gives kids a sense of freedom and height while ensuring no one is left behind," said Cheryl Parson, a project manager at Play Illinois. "We weren't just trying to check a box and move on - we wanted to create an environment where everyone feels like this space was created for them."

Surrounding the main tower structure, a play area designed specifically for children ages 2-5 introduces them to the joy of independent discovery and helps them develop in age-appropriate ways. This space includes climbers, slides, and imaginative play elements that are properly sized for this age group's comfort and development.

Between the two play areas are the sensory-rich Burke PlayEnsemble® outdoor musical instruments - a collection of musical components that spark joy and creativity through sound and movement while encouraging intergenerational play and engagement. Bringing music to outdoor spaces invites everyone to experience the benefits of music play and creates an environment of cooperation and community.

Motion play, another key element of the park, comes alive through swings and the Inclusive Orbit - a zero-entry spinner that allows children of all abilities and preferences to be 100% engaged in the spinning experience. Whether flying through the air or spinning with friends, children experience the kind of movement that fuels both body and mind.

Mindful Inclusion From the Ground Up
The site surfacing is a seamless blend of poured-in-place rubber surfacing and engineered wood fiber. Both surfaces were carefully selected for accessibility and aesthetics, creating play areas that marry form and function. Around the space, natural shade from mature trees blends the built environment with the natural, bringing a balance to the play environment.

Designed to Inspire
Jewett Park serves as an example of true inclusion in public space design. The project reflects a collaborative effort among Landscape Architects, playground designers, manufacturers, and municipal leaders to create an environment that supports multigenerational use, equitable play experiences, and community connection.

Elias Martin, a project manager at Upland Design, summed up the project by saying: "Our mission was to create a space that would engage children of all ability levels throughout the playground. We were able to achieve this in part by taking advantage of the site's natural topography, which we used to create elevated ramps that lead to a variety of play loops and sensory opportunities."

Jewett Park is a testament to the belief that good design changes communities and brings to life places that inspire, unite, and engage people of all abilities.

As seen in LASN magazine, November 2025.