Singapore opens inclusive playground with first wheelchair-accessible slide

Singapore has opened its first inclusive playground designed to welcome visitors of all abilities at Sun Plaza Park in Tampines. The Magical Bridge Playground, a project by the National Parks Board (NParks) in collaboration with the US-based Magical Bridge Foundation, features innovative elements to ensure barrier-free access and enjoyment for everyone.

A key highlight is Singapore's first slide specifically designed for wheelchair users. This unique slide includes a "slide-and-sit landing" at the bottom, allowing wheelchair users to transfer to a flat bench while waiting for their caregivers or wheelchairs. This design ensures continuous play and accessibility.

The playground is organized into four zones: the Slide and Tot Zone, Swing Zone, Spin Zone, and Sensory Zone. It offers wheelchair-accessible equipment, including swings and spinners, and utilizes contrasting colors to aid visitors with low vision. Beyond physical accessibility, the playground caters to diverse sensory and developmental needs with quiet corners, hideaway huts for calmer environments, and a sensory garden with plants safe to touch and rich in scent.

Ms. Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State for National Development, emphasized the playground's comprehensive design, stating, "Beyond physical accessibility, the playground also caters to different sensory and developmental needs." The Magical Bridge Foundation has developed 14 similar playgrounds globally, with this being their second project in Singapore.

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Beyond physical accessibility, the playground also caters to different sensory and developmental needs.