Maxwell Park, Hoboken
Update- 3/27/2011- I was able to capture the comments up till now, and created a listing for all SSEQ playgrounds. However, I still need your help:
- a few of the playgrounds in the comments don’t have photos or descriptions yet on our website (Oakland, Pacifico-Gallo), email me if you have some!
- Tagged SSEQ but is it really? If you disagree with something we marked SSEQ and you think it isn’t , comment on that park.
- Are we missing a small park that fits the SSEQ classification? Let us know, just comment below
THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR FEEDBACK!!!
ORIGINAL POSTING: “About a month ago, I received the following message from a facebook fan, Dena, after I had referred her to our ADA tag for playgrounds:
“Thank you! But even adding playgrounds to a catagory that aren’t officially “ADA” is helpful for us moms with special needs children. Sometimes a small, quiet, enclosed playground is great for us, even though the equipment is not specifical…ly for disabled children, they are still great parks for us. It would really be great to have a resource to go to for parks like this. I go crazy looking for parks appropriate for the boys and on more than one occasion a referral from a mom of “typical” children for a great park for my boys was one we couldn’t play at. They key is SMALL, SAFE, ENCLOSED, and QUIET parks. Just because equipment is suitable to disabled children (usually physically disabled is what ADA is really geared towards, I assume) doesn’t mean the park is appropriate for other disabled children. If this list is put together I’m sure Autism Speaks as well as other agencies would be interested in utilizing the information :)”
I really want to help her out, but I do believe the recommendation of another parent is the most valuable one for her.
So how do I help Dena? Do you know of parks that fit this description? Because I’ll create a link for it, (SSEQ) so that it will come up for others too. Once we get a collection I’ll post on our facebook page
Also is this something that will help you? Let us know!
I also wanted to include a great link from Mara Kaplan, whose site (AccessiblePlayground.net) has helped me learn a little more about the type of playgrounds that exist. Maybe she can comment as well!
Update- 3/27/2011- I was able to capture the comments up till now, and created a listing for all SSEQ playgrounds. However, I still need your help:
- a few of the playgrounds in the comments don’t have photos or descriptions yet on our website (Oakland, Pacifico-Gallo), email me if you have some!
- Tagged SSEQ but is it really? If you disagree with something we marked SSEQ and you think it isn’t , comment on that park.
- Are we missing a small park that fits the SSEQ classification? Let us know, just comment below
The “All Childrens’Playground” in Edgemont Park in Montclair was created by a group of parents to build a space for ALL children to play. It was made with special needs kids in mind, but not “just” for special needs kid.
I don’t know any that are fully enclosed AND safe AND quiet, however I can say that the playground at Votee Park in Teaneck is enclosed and has special swings for kids with physical disabilities. Depending on he time of day and the season it can be quiet or loud – It’s definitely quite active, but my child doesn’t tend to get over-stimulated there and I find it one of the safer and better-designed parks we’ve been to. Memorial Park in Dumont has a generally pretty quiet playground, and is safe, but not fenced.
Thanks for this post…I am also always looking for the same in Northern NJ. My son has Down syndrome and he does not realize sometimes that he can’t just step off of an opening so a small play structure is best for him. He is also a runner and very fast and it very hard to find an enclosed playground where I don’t have to be on top of him every second!!! 🙂 Hope some people come through with some playgrounds!!!
If you just want enclosed playgrounds, that is pretty easy to find. There are a few in Glen Rock, one in Fairview, Froggy and Griffin Parks in Tenafly. Both have playground equipment close to the ground as well. I love Votee but find that it is very big and can get quite crowded at times so I lose my son easily in it. So, I am wondering do people really just want enclosed playgrounds good for young toddlers? That would be a nice list to have.
I just reread what I wrote, and should have also said, that I actually have gone to lots of playgrounds through my parents group and have a list made of some of the smaller ones, they aren’t all enclosed, but I figure if they are small and quiet that can be just as good as large and enclosed if not better. I also, like playgrounds with grass nearby because you can’t have a playdate that is entirely inclusive unless you can have moms with babies there and it is easier to put a blanket down on grass than on woodchips.
For my contribution I’m going to tag the following playgrounds as SSEQ (as well as the ones mentioned in this comment thread):
Greenside Playground in Scotch Plains
Wilson Park (by the school) in Summit
Walton School (pre-k playground) in Springfield
and this one isn’t going to be tagged SSEQ, but Fairmont Playground is fenced but it’s large, and may fit some of the criteria. In the summertime after school it was quiet when we went compared to Van Saun Park that is the big attraction nearby.
Livingston’s Senior Community Center is fenced as well.
If anyone has more, please keep commenting! I’ll add the link once we have a bit more feedback
There are a few great ones in Northern NJ.
Pacifico-Gallo Park on Midland Ave in Pompton Lakes is completely fenced in, and has a small shady area with a picnic tables on the side. The play equipment is mostly toddler-based, but my 6 and 7 year-old still love to go there.
The toddler park in Oakland is also fenced in and is mostly under trees. This one is located behind the police station. There are two fenced-in parks in this recreational complex- the toddler park and one for slightly older children. The one for older kids does not offer any shade but is closer to the bathrooms. The one for toddlers does have a big sandbox, which my kids love, but some parents hate. It’s kept pretty clean and there are toys there to use. I recommend bringing some damp washclothes in a plastic bag and some baby powder to get off any loose sand.
Both of these parks are small, but I have always liked this. It means less people and more safety.
From Michelle on FB:
There is a small enclosed park on Maple Avenue in Ridgewood by the municipal building. Also, in Oakland, there is a toddler playground (mostly little tykes plastic structures) that is small & fenced, as well as, a separate small enclosed structure which is for older children both are located off Lawlor Drive. Also, Glen Rock had an enclosed playground by their swim club/arborateum on Doremus Ave.
(thanks to all the FB fans that post, your feedback is really appreciated by parents)
I received another one From Victoria on FB
Tenafly has two, Griffin Park and Froggy Park. Do you want only 100% enclosed or 90%. Lateri Park in Clifton is 90% and is a cute little park that I never see anyone at and it is surrounded by grass instead of wood chips. Wilde Park in Glen Rock has a 100% enclosed one as well. It is small with little tykes equipment and then there is a larger one nearby. It is a little ways away from the road, but a plus is that the bathrooms are right there and again there is grass which I like.
Thank you so much everyone for your input…can’t wait to check out some of these parks that sound perfect for my son!!!! 🙂
Snyder Ave park in Berkley Heights might be good. Small, contained….and clean!
I’d add Elm Ave. in Warren (I’ll try to get some pics) and Legion in Middlesex, both are very small, completely fenced, and far from the busy roads.
Mountain View in Middlesex has an SSEQ playground, but it is within site of the (tempting) much bigger playground. Same with Gillette School in Gillette.
Midland in Branchburg and the DLC in New Providence are somewhat larger, fully enclosed playgrounds developed specifically for autistic children.
Mt. Horeb School has a large-ish playground aimed at the 5 and under set which is completely fenced and on the other side of the school (out of site) of the one featured in this guide.
There’s a great SSEQ playground in Peapack, I believe. I’ll send pictures.