Play area at the Merwebolder 4 years after completion a great success
The inclusive play area at the ASVZ-Merwebolder care facility in Sliedrecht demonstrates how an accessible outdoor space positively impacts the lives of people with disabilities. This play environment, which we established around four years ago, has proven to be a valuable addition to the healthcare facility.
We visited to see how this play area is being used and whether the objectives set beforehand are being met. Together with Erik de Wit, Senior Project Manager for Housing at ASVZ, and Marlene Schippers, the manager of the playground and petting farm, we visited the site.
Merwebolder healthcare facility
ASVZ-Merwebolder is a care institution for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Residents have a range of care needs, varying from mild support to intensive assistance. Marlene explains that the care facility is like a village. “We have everything on site: different residential areas, a shop, doctors, a petting farm, and even a swimming pool. We even have a mayor, albeit unofficially!”
The facility’s grounds have a rural character and are designed as a park zone, with wide walking paths and abundant greenery. The play area is undoubtedly a valuable addition to the park. The design meets the needs of the residents of the care facility and offers local residents the opportunity to play and move actively outdoors.
Significant improvements over the old play environment
Marlene has been working at ASVZ for around thirty years and recounts that the previous play area was a standard playground, predominantly equipped with outdated equipment. It was a space with little appeal for lingering. Additionally, the adjacent petting farm and the play area were situated at the back, with no connection to the walking paths in the park zone. This made the play area poorly visible and difficult for visitors to find.
The old play area with the adjacent petting farm.
In the redesigned layout, the play area is seamlessly integrated into the surroundings. Clear sightlines have been established, and the walking path runs through the play zone.
A good mix of play elements
The revamped play area has been thoughtfully designed with inclusivity and accessibility for clients and local residents in mind. The foundation consists of a traffic square, which creates various smaller play zones, each with its unique design. To transform this playground into a genuine play space for everyone, we considered the following elements during the design process:
This wheelchair-accessible roundabout is also suitable for individuals who are not in a wheelchair, allowing for true cooperative play.
Wheelchair-accessible play elements: Several of the installed play structures are designed to be used by individuals in wheelchairs or with other physical disabilities.
Varied offerings of other play elements: Each play zone features equipment suitable for children of different ages and skill levels.
Sensory experiences: We incorporated various elements to stimulate different sensory experiences, including visual, auditory, and tactile stimuli.
Safe surface: The ground surface is soft and shock-absorbent, enhancing safety around the play equipment.
A popular play area
It has become clear that the renewed play environment has become a popular spot for the residents of Merwebolder. Marlene notes, “There is usually someone playing in the playground, and especially during holiday periods, it gets quite busy.”
Due to the paved paths, the play equipment is accessible to everyone.
One of the key aspects of the play area is its excellent accessibility for all residents, regardless of their disabilities. The paved pathways, thoughtfully chosen equipment, and well-considered layout enable everyone to participate in outdoor activities. Additionally, the public play area is frequently visited by local residents from Sliedrecht, making it truly a “shared play area.”
“The play zone is used extensively by clients, but certainly by children from the village as well. It’s a wonderful way to invite people from the community onto the premises in a playful manner and let them get to know our residents.”
Favourite activities
Visitors to the play area each have their preferred activities. The air trampoline has proven to be a favourite and is almost always occupied. The wheelchair seesaw is also frequently used, both by wheelchair users and other visitors. It turns out that it’s also quite fun to ride over the seesaw with a BMX bike. This equipment is thus exceptionally suitable for cooperative play.
The air trampoline is nearly always busy!
Visitors who do not wish to play also find plenty to enjoy. They stroll through the play area and take a seat on one of the many benches to watch everything happening around them. Additionally, they pick grapes from the pergolas draped with grapevines.
Positive effects of the play area
Erik and Marlene observe that the playground has numerous positive effects on the residents of the care facility and the surrounding area:
The introduction of inclusive play equipment has led to increased physical activity among many residents.
Social interactions have improved. Residents are quicker and more comfortable in making contact with fellow residents and other visitors to the play area.
The play area and the petting farm are now easier to find, resulting in an increasing number of external visitors.
Caregivers are scheduling more outdoor activities.
“Our caregivers and support staff regard the play environment as a valuable addition to our care offerings.”
Conclusion
The inclusive play area at ASVZ-Merwebolder is an excellent example of how a well-designed outdoor space can enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities. The success of this project is evident in the active involvement of both residents and local community members. The play area provides an accessible environment, promotes social interactions, and encourages physical activity. This underscores the significant need for more such play areas that offer everyone in the community the chance to play together and enjoy the outdoors.
