Amada'sTEXT

Our playground allows for the full integration of all children participating in play activities, regardless of their impairment.  It allows for the handicapped children to operate the ship’s wheel at the lower level. There are three bays of swings, which have seats in the shape of flowers. One bay of swings is exclusively for handicapped accessibility, allowing for a handicapped child to roll their wheelchair directly on to a movable platform, which swings back and forth.  We also feature a spray shower, which is flush mounted to allow mobility impaired children to use this amenity. 

We have adequate seating throughout the playground. There are twenty wooden benches along the perimeter of the playground.  Additionally, we have a hammock area where we have eight hammocks that are arranged in the shape of a life preserver. This hammock area allows for parents, elderly and nursing mothers to be able to recline in a more comfortable position.  There is a trellis feature that is shaped like palm trees, and is covered with vines to provide shade from the sun in the summer.

Another interactive feature of the playground is an eight- tentacled octopus, which is mounted above the ship.  Two of the octopus’ tentacles provide accessibility to the ship via a stair and a handicapped accessible ramp.  The other two tentacles are designed as playground slides; a 3 foot high slide for pre- school children, and a 5 foot triple wave slide for older children.  The other four tentacles wrap around the ship to give the illusion of the ship being broken in half by the octopus.

The pirate ship feature will be the main attraction of the playground.  The two halves of the ship will be joined together by a rope ladder which is open to the children and allows for them to explore both sides of the ship.  The ship features two slides at the end of the ship, which slide down to the playground deck. There is a ship’s wheel, which is on the lower level and is handicapped accessible.  The ship also features telescopes for viewing, and there three teacup rides that allow for handicapped access as well.

There is five foot high perimeter fencing that has a seaweed design integrated into the fence itself.

Access to the playground is granted through five entrances, three of which are wheelchair accessible, and allow for access to the playground from the boardwalk.  

A “bounce pad” was incorporated into our team’s design, specifically for children ages 3 to years. This bounce pad is shaped like a birds’ best, and the walls’ of the bird’s nest serve as a protective feature to keep the children from harm. The bounce pad allows for the child’s motion to trigger a gentle bouncing motion as they jump up and down on a specialized elastic surface.

Finally, the playground site will be elevated 4’6” above the beach level.