Inspire Playground - Airdrie Library (Airdrie, AB)
Age range 2-12
Inclusive
Accessible
Baby Swing
Standard Swing
Expression Swing
Saucer Swing
Musical features
Sensory features
Zipline
Zipline spinner
Net Structure
Exercise Equipment
Scope: Concept + detailed design, equipment selection, poured-in-place rubber surfacing, accessible ramps & transfer approaches, signage & play panels, supply and installation coordination.
Location: Adjacent to Airdrie Public Library, Airdrie AB
Objective: Create a compact, library-adjacent play plaza that connects reading and discovery to physical and sensory play — designed to be welcoming and usable by children of all abilities.
The Airdrie Library wanted a small-footprint play asset that extended the library’s mission of curiosity and inclusion into the outdoor campus. The brief required a durable municipal solution that encouraged caregivers to linger, supported library programming (storytime, sensory story walks) and—critically—served children with a wide range of physical, sensory and communication needs. We delivered a circular play plaza that reads as an outdoor learning room: intentional sightlines to the library, accessible routes, tactile wayfinding and a curated mix of sensory and social play elements.
We designed Inspire Playground using Park N Play Design’s evidence-based inclusive process: accessibility as baseline, whole-child development as the goal. We applied the 7 Principles of Inclusive Playground Design and mapped features to the five developmental domains (cognitive, communication, social-emotional, sensory and physical) so every equipment choice had a clear developmental role.
We worked with key stakeholders to create:
Each product below was chosen for specific play value and inclusive access. Placement recommendations follow each item so the client and operations staff can visualize programming and supervision.
Role: Low-profile seated rocker for vestibular input and social turn-taking.
Why: Provides controlled movement (vestibular stimulation) with seated access for children who cannot stand for long periods — supports core and postural strength while offering calm regulation.
Placement: Near caregiver seating and library doorway to enable quick transitions from reading to movement.
Role: Two-person spinner for cooperative vestibular play.
Why: Encourages peer play and cooperation; spinner design allows asymmetrical use (one seated, one assisting) which expands participation for children with mobility needs.
Placement: On continuous firm surfacing with a direct, unobstructed transfer approach and sightlines to benches.
Role: Tactile roller slide that slows descent and adds sensory feedback.
Why: Rollers create a slower, controlled slide experience—good for cautious users and those who need tactile input. Roller slides reduce speed and increase predictability.
Placement: As an approachable elevated exit paired with a ramp/transfer platform or low entry deck.
Role: Tactile + Braille wayfinding and interpretive signage.
Why: Supports orientation for visitors with visual impairments and provides tactile discovery moments for all children—great for library-led tactile story walks.
Placement: At primary plaza entries and at library/play transition points.
Role: Role-play and narrative panels (shop, radio, story prompts).
Why: Extends library programming into outdoor dramatic play—supports language, sequencing and social play. Panels are mounted at multiple heights for seated/standing reach.
Placement: Cluster near the “reading lawn” interface so storytime can spill into role play.
Role: Tactile, auditory and cause-and-effect panels.
Why: Provides fine motor practice, quiet sensory engagement and self-regulated play options for neurodiverse users. Panels at varied heights increase accessibility.
Placement: Form a sheltered bay for lower-stimulus interaction and programmatic sensory storytime.
We used poured-in-place (PIP) rubber surfacing across the plaza to ensure continuous, firm, slip-resistant approaches to every play feature—this maximizes transfer access for mobility devices and creates predictable footing for sensory users. All ramps, transfer approaches and clearances were graded to meet CAN/CSA-Z614 accessibility expectations and to support independent navigation. The surfacing and route strategy was explicitly mapped to the Whole-Child and 7-Principles matrices to ensure sensory and motor access for every zone.
Inspire Playground turned the library into an outdoor learning room that invites discovery, movement and social connection. Post-installation feedback from library staff highlighted immediate wins: longer family dwell times, easier transitions between storytime and active play, and clear engagement from children who had previously been marginalized by traditional playgrounds that lack inclusion elements. By aligning equipment with whole-child development and mapping it to practical programming, Park N Play Design delivered a compact, high-value amenity that expands the library’s reach into active, sensory and inclusive learning.
Bring inclusive play to your community. Request a free site assessment and quote from Park N Play Design — we’ll map your site, equipment options, and funding pathways in one clear plan.
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