Coastal Virginia Accessible Playgrounds
Hampton
Marys Park Sensory Playground
Peninsula Town Center 4410 East Claiborne Square Hampton Va 23666
Information: This outdoor park located across from Macy’s in the Peninsula Town Center was a project in partnership with the Peninsula School for Autism. While the park is completely wheelchair accessible, it offers sensory play and interactive experiences in a park theme of two classic Hans Christian Anderson stories- The Little Mermaid and the Ugly Duckling. This is the only park in Virginia designed for children with sensory disabilities and autism.
Guests can download the smartphone special app at the park to listen to the stories in up to 16 languages, as well as, create andsave photos with their children and characters from the stories.
Parking is available on street, in garage and valet (dedicated days) and restrooms are available in Macy's.
Special features include:
- Wheelchair-ccessible surface
- Highly interactive sensory and tactile play opportunities
- Security and playground attendants will be on site during hours
- Secured fencing around the playground
- Seating is available along the playground
Tons of fun for everyone at the Marys Park Sensory Playground
Newport News
Boundless Playground at Deer Park
11523 Jefferson Avenue
Newport News VA 23601 (757) 886-7912
Information: Deer Park is located on Jefferson Avenue, just south of J Clyde Morris Boulevard in the center of the city. The park has two entrances, at Robinson Drive and Groome Road.
The Boundless Playground is designed with all children in mind, including children with disabilities. It is the first barrier-free playground in the City of Newport News. Actually the park is about 70% accessible for children with disabilities. There are camellia, azalea and rhododendron plants which are beautiful in the spring. Public restrooms are available. The park is open sunrise to sunset.
Special features include:
- Rubber surfacing and asphalt walkways provide easy access throughout the entire play area
- Ramps to playground and within.
- Low platforms where those using wheelchairs can lift themselves out of them, onto playground equipment.
- Swings are designed with high back support and seat belts
- Wheelchair accessible play panels
- Picnic table under the shelter is designed for wheelchair access
Virginia Beach
JT’s Grommet Island Beach Park and Playground for EveryBody
100 2nd Street Virginia Beach VA 23451
Information:Information: Listed as one of the top 30 best playgrounds in the nation, Grommet Island is a Virginia Beach oceanfront destination, an accessible beach playground and park for disabled children and adults. The park is the brainchild of Josh Thompson (JT) and his family. Thompson loved the beach and surfing from childhood, but in 2006, while still young, he was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease – which causes weakness and wasting away of the muscle. “Grommet” is slang for a novice surfer.
Designed for those in wheelchairs, people of all ages and levels of ability are welcome on the playground. It’s got something everybody and it’s a place where everyone can have a great day at the beach. The park features 15,000 square feet of ramps and decking a shaded play area, bench seating and areas to picnic. Soft play sculptures, accessible play equipment and cushioned play surfaces provide recreational opportunities.
Aerial view of Grommet Island
Special features include:
- Wheelchair-friendly ground surfaces
- Special beach wheelchairs for those who want to go on the sand.
- “Talk tube” through which visitors can talk and listen to people at various places around the park.
- A “sensory wall” containing different elements to stimulate the senses, such as large marbles that reflect prisms of light as they turn.
- Features for accessible exercising, one is an arm cycle, through which people can build up arm strength and agility.
- Surfboard providing an accessible place for people to pose for pictures while pretending to ride the waves. Visitors can transfer from a wheelchair onto the surfboard, and they feel line they are swimming with the dolphins.
- A long, gently-inclined ramp leading to a “lookout” deck six feet above the ground. The deck has room for four wheelchairs, as well as several accessible telescopes to look out onto the water and view surfers or dolphins. This bird’s-eye view of the park, beach, and ocean is something people with disabilities rarely get to see.
- Elevated tables for making sandcastles
- A “sway board,” and a sensory panel providing entertainment for children with visual disabilities or those having autism
- Musical drums
Fun in the sun at Grommet Island
Photo courtesy of Cre8Play, the company who did the neat ife-like play structures at the park.
The sand is no barrier at Grommet Island.
Kid’s Cove at Mt. Trashmore
300 Edwin Dr.
Virginia Beach, Virginia 23452
757-473-5237
Information: Don’t let the name put you off. Mount Trashmore is an abandoned landfill that has been converted into a park. It’s a prime example of landfill reuse spanning 165 acres with hills over 60 feet high, over 800 feet long that has picnic shelters, basketball court, four volleyball areas, walking trails, and a world-class roller skate park.
In this complex is Kid’s Cove a 26,000 square foot playground, fully compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), and is barrier-free to accommodate all children with three distinct play areas. It is a very popular park and is almost always crowded. Kid’s Cove has convenient parking, and the restrooms are close to the playground. They were very clean and there are toilets for the smaller children in both the men’s and women’s restrooms.
Benches and picnic shelters are available throughout the playground. Be aware the park doesn’t have enough shaded areas for parents to sit that are close to the play areas. So bring sunscreen and water. On summer days, the playground equipment gets hot, so check it out before you let your children play. Hours vary according to the season, usually closing at dusk. Be sure to pack up and leave before sunset as they will lock the gate and you won't be able to drive your car out.
Special features include:
- Soft rubberized surface to accommodate walkers and wheelchairs and to cushion falls
- Double-wide ramps and decking systems to ensure the whole area is accessible to children with disabilities
- A giant play structure that includes an assortment of slides- wavy, spiral and double slides
- Elevated walkways, climbers and more
- An area with swings for all ages and abilities
- Telescopes and binoculars from nine decks of varying heights
Overview of Kid's Cove
Kid's Cove barrier-free playground
Williamsburg
My Place Playground
5301 Longhill Road
Williamsburg, Virginia 23188
757-259-5360
Information: This playground includes all the features of a traditional playground with 12 pieces of equipment meant to accommodate children of all needs, such as swings and climbing equipment that were constructed to allow those with disabilities to access every aspect of the facility. The 6000-square-foot inclusive playground for ages 5-12 is designed to welcome all individuals and families, regardless of ability.
Special features for the accessible play area include:
- Wheelchair-friendly ground surfaces with rubber surfacing
- Accessible swings, a merry-go-round, climbing equipment, a see-saw, spinning and bouncing equipment, and a unique trolley element.
- Sensory elements include musical drums and xylophones, a good option for children able to use their arms but not legs
- Braille and sensory integration features
- Sandboxes with back rests for children who cannot sit upright
- Wide open spaces between each attraction, allowing room for wheelchairs or for children to fall down and get back up without hitting anything.
Kidsburg at Mid County Park
3793 Ironbound Road Williamsburg, VA 23188 (757) 259-5360
Information: Kidsburg offers a Jamestown theme, complete with ships and forts to keep children’s imagination active for hours. The park has 30,000 square feet of lighted play space with an accessible 17th century replica ship, cannon and canoe and is the perfect place to wear your little explorers out as they travel back to colonial times to explore the history of the English Colony. Sections of the park designated for different age groups. There is a smaller gated section for younger kids. The park has restrooms and an accessible multiuse trail.
Play structures by Cre8Play are universally accessible and complete with custom sounds including a cannon that goes ‘BOOM’ and a ship with sounds of the sea. The kids have the opportunity to role-play as pirates, captains and passengers of the ships. That's what makes this park unique as it has great equipment for the kids to play on and it allows them to use their imagination.
Even the ship is wheelchair accessible
Photo courtesy of Cre8Play, the company who did the creative play structures at the park.
Special features for the accessible play area include:
- Wheelchair-friendly ground surfaces with rubber surfacing that is
- resilient enough to cushion a fall
- Ramp to sailing ship
- Accessible swings, many different types of spinning and bouncing equipment
- Sensory elements include musical drums and plenty of tactile experiences on the sailing ship
Accessible, innovative Kidsburg
Creative play and sensory activities are plenty at Kidsburg
Photo courtesy of James City County Parks
<<<back to Accessible Playgrounds
Home | Regions | Virginia Weather & Maps | Resources | Outdoor Recreation | About Us | Contact Us | Accessibility Links
