Maryland is taking a major step forward in creating parks where everybody, regardless of ability, can play, thanks to a new online resource called Playgrounds for All! Maryland. Currently, the website does not include any playgrounds in Montgomery County, but has several nearby.
Launched by the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council and the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the platform is designed to help families locate public playgrounds with inclusive features and to guide communities in building their own.
The new site offers a statewide map and searchable listings of playgrounds that are not only ADA-accessible but truly inclusive, meaning they allow children with a wide variety of physical, sensory, and cognitive needs to play alongside others. It also includes a toolkit for planning, funding, and designing these playgrounds in communities across Maryland.
Maryland already requires public playgrounds to meet minimum accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). But many of those playgrounds still fail to meet true inclusivity– for example, equipment or surfaces may restrict where children in wheelchairs can go, or sensory features may be lacking. The new framework and website aim to close that gap by setting standards that go beyond minimal compliance.
Gov. Wes Moore praised the initiative, saying every child deserves the joy of play and that Maryland is committed to becoming more equitable and accessible. State officials say the site will help local governments, nonprofits, and neighborhoods collaborate more efficiently to upgrade existing parks or build new ones.
Among the featured inclusive playgrounds already listed are examples from multiple counties across the state, everything from large parks with ramps and universal design features to neighborhood playgrounds incorporating sensory play and adaptive equipment. The site encourages users to submit additional playgrounds to the mapping tool so the resource can grow over time.
Inclusive playgrounds differ from merely accessible ones in that they promote social, emotional, and sensory inclusion, not just physical access. The state’s inclusive playground Framework & Toolkit, published in 2023, defines core principles such as universal design, safety, freedom of choice in play, and welcoming environments.
For Maryland families, the new tool means less guesswork when looking for playgrounds that can truly accommodate all children. For communities, it’s a roadmap to more equitable recreation spaces. Whether you have a child with mobility challenges, sensory sensitivities, or just want to create a more welcoming park, Playgrounds for All is designed to help. To explore the map or use the toolkit, visit playgroundsforallmd.org.
