Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital (Edmonton, AB)

Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital – Edmonton, AB

An Inclusive, Therapeutic Play Space Designed for Healing

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Overview

Park N Play Design was proud to partner with Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital to design and build one of Canada’s most unique therapeutic play spaces. This outdoor environment goes far beyond traditional recreation—it’s a fully accessible, research-backed rehabilitation zone that supports the physical, cognitive, and social development of children undergoing treatment.

Located in the heart of Edmonton, the Glenrose Hospital is a leader in complex medical care and rehabilitation. Our team worked alongside Alberta Health Services, child development experts, and GameTime to create a space that’s inclusive, imaginative, and purposefully designed to meet the needs of patients and their families.

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Project Objectives

• Support rehabilitation with a play space that enables recovery through movement and interaction.
• Promote inclusion with accessible surfacing and equipment that engages children of all abilities.
• Incorporate therapy goals within the play experience itself—turning exercises into engaging activities.
• Provide a welcoming space for families to gather, play, and connect during difficult medical journeys.

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Design Features

This playground is unlike any other—it’s a GTfit™ Therapeutic Rehabilitation Play Unit, one of the first of its kind in Canada. Every piece was selected with intention to support therapy, mobility training, and sensory stimulation.

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Highlights Include:

• Accessible Ramps & Surfacing: A seamless poured-in-place rubber surface provides safe mobility for wheelchairs, walkers, and caregivers.
• Therapeutic Elements: Equipment such as climbing walls, ropes, steppers, and balancing tools promote range-of-motion and vestibular development.
• Integrated Therapy Goals: Encourages children to practice squatting, crawling, stepping, reaching, and balancing—all within joyful play.
• Sensorial Play: Bright colours, tactile materials, and auditory features engage multiple senses for a more immersive experience.
• Safe & Secure Design: Includes appropriate fall zones and supervision sightlines, ensuring both fun and safety.

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Outcome & Impact

Since its opening, the Glenrose play area has become a powerful tool in pediatric rehabilitation. Therapists now incorporate play directly into their sessions, using the space to help children build strength, coordination, and confidence.

“This new playground is an innovative and effective way for kids to get the rehabilitation they need while simply enjoying playtime,” said Donna Currie, Director of Allied Health and Pediatric Rehabilitation Services at Glenrose.

The feedback from families has been overwhelmingly positive—many have described the space as a beacon of normalcy and joy during challenging times.

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Why This Project Matters

At Park N Play Design, we believe play has the power to heal, connect, and transform lives. This project stands as a testament to that belief.

By embedding evidence-based design into a joyful, inclusive environment, we helped Glenrose bring rehabilitation outdoors—and made therapy feel like play.

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Want to Build Something Like This?

If you’re working on a project for a hospital, senior care home, or other healthcare facility, we’d love to support you. Our team of certified inclusive designers specializes in therapeutic play and outdoor fitness spaces tailored to every age and ability.