Parks for All!

Spring is here, and that means it’s a great day to visit the park! We’re fortunate our city is home to many wonderful parks that are inclusive and accessible for all children. While many parks offer accessible parking and sidewalks, often the playground equipment lacks accessibility. The parks on this list feature equipment that’s inclusive for all children to enjoy. Each of these parks features smooth surfaces, accessible parking and restrooms and fun features to enjoy:

• Variety KC Exploration Play at KC Zoo

  The Kansas City Zoo holds the honor of being the first zoo to provide an inclusive playground. Located in the Africa section of the zoo, the playground includes a zip line with a companion harness, an accessible swing and smooth surfacing. There is also a quiet zone area where you can check out weighted blankets and noise-canceling headphones. Learn more here.

• Martin Luther King, Jr., Square Park

  Swope Parkway & Woodland Avenue, Kansas City, MO. The area is packed with colorful components, including three towers, swings, climbing nets, suspended walkway, jumping pods, spinners, embankment mound, climbing area, merry-go-round and a section with age-appropriate play equipment.

• Legacy Park

  1201 NE Legacy Park Dr., Lee’s Summit. The LSPR accessible playground is located at Legacy Park Shelter 3. The playground includes ramps, accessible swings, smooth surfaces and accessible parking.

• Leawood City Park

  10601 Lee Blvd., Leawood. Variety KC opened the newest inclusive playground in the metro at Leawood City Park. Royals Charities and Variety of Greater Kansas City joined to unveil a new adaptive playground at Leawood City Park. The all-inclusive playground has been designed so both children and adults can play together regardless of their physical or mental abilities.

• Overland Park Jewish Community Center Playground

  5801 W. 115th St., Leawood. To respect those in wheelchairs, this playground offers smooth surfaces and low platforms as transfer stations so those using wheelchairs can lift themselves onto playground equipment. A unique feature is the Braille panels and other play panels with interesting textures or fragrances. The playground is enclosed with a fence.

• College Boulevard Activity Center Playground

  11031 S. Valley Pkwy., Olathe. This Variety KC playground, adjacent to the accessible ball fields for the Miracle League, a sports league where children of all abilities play baseball, is a fun and inclusive place to play. With ramps, smooth surfaces and equipment that can be enjoyed by children in wheelchairs, this park is a treasure in Johnson County.

• Belton Memorial Park

  998 Commercial St., Belton. This inclusive playground is enjoyed by children of all abilities. The playground offers ramps to the equipment.

• McCoy Park

  800 N. Bess Truman Pkwy., Independence. This pioneer-themed inclusive park offers a playground accessible to children and caregivers of all abilities. The playground features ramps on the equipment, adaptive swings, as well as toddler and saucer swings, and stainless steel slides and roller slides to enable children with cochlear implants to enjoy. The sensory rich environment also incorporates musical elements, such as tuned drums and aluminum chimes, and interactive panels to spark problem-solving and teamwork. In addition, the playground is fenced—a favorite feature for parents of little ones.

• Playground & Splash Pad at T.B. Hanna Station

  214 S. Washington St., Raymore. The playground’s amenities include musical instruments, a merry-go-round and communication boards. If your children want to cool off, they can head over to the splash pad, which features a train with a tunnel wide enough for wheelchair-users to pass through. The splash pad also contains colorful light-up spray jets, overhead sprinklers and splash buckets. During the winter months, children can skate at the park’s ice rink!

• Recreation Park

  1011 S. Madison St., Raymore. Recreation Park's newest playground features smooth surfaces, ramps and shade. Children will love going down the many slides, playing with the musical pieces, whirling on the merry-go-round and riding the four-person seesaw.

• Shawnee Mission Park Playground

  7900 Renner Rd., Shawnee. This playground’s star features are its musical toys, colorful pathway and accessible swings and metal slides. In addition to containing wheelchair-friendly ramps and surfaces, the park is fenced, has accessible bathrooms and includes a water mister.

• Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park

  E. 27th Street & Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO. This 60-year-old park near Crown Center is beloved for its sea dragon and pirate ship theme. This park has been upgraded to feature concrete sidewalks and ramps for wheelchairs and new equipment.

• Stilwell Community Park

  6402 W. 207th St., Stillwell, KS. The grounds at this park provide easy access to adaptive swings, a sensory area and a water mister.

• Sybil Silkwood Nutter Inclusive Playground

  Gillham Road & E. 22nd Street, Kansas City, MO. Located in Hospital Hill Park at Children’s Mercy, this playground contains plenty of space for children with wheelchairs or IV poles to access the equipment. Its soft foam floor is easy to traverse, and its fence prevents small children from wandering off. A communication board for nonverbal children provides an inclusive atmosphere for all.

• Tiffany Hills Park

  9400 N. Congress Ave., Kansas City, MO. This pirate-themed playground is designed to meet the needs of all children. The playground includes ramps to access the equipment, metal slides for children with cochlear implants, accessible swings, sensory panels for touch and sound, as well as fencing to keep the children safe.

• We Rock the Spectrum

  7601 NW Roanridge Rd., Kansas City, MO

  The gym includes

  • Suspended equipment with swings for balance and vestibular treatment.
  • Crash mats and crash pillows for fun, motor planning and strength.
  • Zip line for stress release and joint and body relaxation.
  • Trampoline for building leg and core strength.
  • Indoor play structure for climbing and increasing playground skills.
  • Sensory-based toys for improved auditory processing and fine motor skills.
  • Fine motor and arts and crafts area for improved hand-eye coordination.

• Field of Dreams

  N. 126th St., Bonner Springs. At this baseball-themed playground, children can get their own ticket at the ticket booth, run around the bases and enjoy the wide variety of play equipment—including slides, accessible swings, an accessible merry-go-round and musical instruments. The park also contains ramps and foam surfacing. 

• Indian Creek Park

  The park is located on the north side of the Indian Creek Library at 16100 W. 135th Street. Amenities: Shelter, Story Walk, Inclusive playground, Imagination play area, Amphitheater, Shade area with trellis, Water feature