Guide to parks with accessible playgrounds in the Triangle
Looking for parks with accessible playgrounds in the Triangle?
Our favorite Triangle-area accessible playgrounds have play areas for children of different ages, features for children of all abilities and creative touches like splash pads and much more.
Parks with accessible playgrounds in Raleigh
Sassafras All Children's Playground in Laurel Hills Park
3808 Edwards Mill Road, Raleigh
This gigantic playground at Laurel Hills Park is more like a miniature city. The play structure itself has wheelchair accessible ramps and decks, sensory-rich activities, swings for kids of all abilities and the wheelchair accessible Sway-Fun glider platform that rocks back and forth. There are slides of various heights -- from very tall to toddler-size. There is also a very popular zipline older kids will love!
Kids Together Playground in Marla Dorrel Park
111 Thurston Drive, Cary
This large, inclusive playground is for kids of all ages and abilities, with wheelchair accessible sand table and play structures, molded swings, graded ramps and an adult-sized changing tables. This playground also has a Sway-Fun glider for children in wheelchairs.
Parents of little ones who love to run fast will love that the preschool play area is enclosed by a fence. There is a playhouse, sand area, bucket swings and mini playground just for toddlers (it's low to the ground, so they won't get hurt if they fall!) Near the picnic shelter area, kids can play on KATAL the dragon -- the Kids Together mascot.
There is a medium-size, wheelchair accessible play structure with fast and classic slides, tire swings, climbing structures and more. Older kids will enjoy the tall green and purple play structure in the middle of the park with plenty of space to climb and slide.
Finally, a paved trail connects to the park, and it's only a short walk to a pedestrian overpass that crosses U.S. Highway 1.
Downtown Cary Park
327 South Academy St., Cary
The brand new Downtown Cary Park opened Nov. 19, and it's much more than a playground. Kids and adults will enjoy taking in all the sights despite their physical abilities. According to the town of Cary website, the entire park is wheelchair accessible with built-in access ramps at entrances and as needed.
Other accessible features include:
- Accessible slides in The Nest play area, which features two play areas to accommodate various ages and abilities.
- Accessible furniture scattered throughout the park, including picnic tables that can accommodate wheelchairs.
- Visual indicators, tactile paving and stair treads in walkways to assist those with vision limitations.
There is also a seasonal splash pad, dog parks (for large and small dogs), a bark bar, a snack bar for humans, a skywalk and gardens and much, much more. Families can spend several hours here!
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh
Kids who may have difficulty on playground equipment may enjoy the train and carousel at Pullen Park. Much of the park is wheelchair accessible, and one play structure has two universally accessible slides. The sand play area has music-making equipment and an accessible spring platform.
Pleasant Park
3400 Pleasant Plains Road, Apex
This brand-new park opened Nov. 4 with a 35-foot-tall slide for older kids and a 1.5 acre "Enchanted Forest" with nine inclusive play villages and a splash pad (open seasonally).
Morreene Road Park
1102 Morreene Road, Durham
This 11.96 acre park is home to Durham's first ADA accessible play structure. The playground features safety ramps, a Braille clock and alphabet and a flat rubber surface that is firm enough for wheelchairs.
See a slideshow of these parks.
