Article by 

Carter Clark

Blue circular merry-go-round with four molded forward-facing seats and a small yellow central disc on a white background

The Merry-Go-All is a fully accessible, forward-facing inclusive merry-go-round for up to 12 passengers.

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“Play energizes us and enlivens us. It eases our burdens. It renews our natural sense of optimism and opens us up to new possibilities.”- Dr. Stuart Brown


Sensory skills are a critical developmental milestone among children. Children learn through engaging with the world around them, and the senses help process what they encounter.


The merry-go-all is a critical component for enabling ALL children the ability to experience play and develop their cognitive, physical, and sensory abilities.

The merry-go-all is a playground staple we remember from our own childhoods; but it’s design and development have come a long way over the years. The merry-go-all is a fully accessible forward-facing inclusive spinning event for up to 12 users (4 seated and 8 standing). It is a great way to add safe ground level motion to a playground while encouraging children to engage in social collaborative play.

In our experience as playground professionals, we often observe the Merry-Go-All as an ice-breaker on the playground bringing groups of children together to take turns spinning themselves.

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Four children seated facing outward on a blue merry-go-round, laughing with arms raised on dark rubber playground surface

Features

  • Inclusive design with seats at transfer height
  • Forward-facing design for up to 12 users (4 seated, 8 standing)
  • Promotes social interaction and collaborative play
  • Designed for use with an optional 5-point harness
  • Durable, frictionless magnetic braking system to minimize speed
Article by 

Carter Clark

Partner
 at 
Park N Play Design

Carter Clark is the Marketing Director and Co-Owner of Park N Play Design, one of Canada’s leading firms specializing in the design and construction of inclusive and accessible playgrounds and parks. With more than two decades of company experience behind the organization, Carter works closely with designers, manufacturers, and community partners to help municipalities, schools, and organizations plan play spaces that serve entire communities.

Through his work with Park N Play Design, Carter has contributed to the planning and development of thousands of play environments across Canada, ranging from traditional playgrounds and natural play spaces to splash parks, skateparks, pump tracks, and outdoor fitness areas. His focus is on helping communities create spaces that are safe, inclusive, developmentally meaningful, and built to perform for decades.

Carter regularly writes about playground planning, inclusive design, community engagement, and best practices for developing successful park and recreation projects. His work helps community leaders better understand the planning, funding, and design decisions that lead to successful play environments.