New York’s No Child Left Out Inclusive Playgrounds Act would require newly built and renovated playgrounds to include accessible features for children with disabilities, including neurodivergent and autistic children, helping ensure every child has a place to play.
At a Glance:
New York bill would expand access to sensory-friendly playgrounds
Inclusive playgrounds aim to support children with disabilities and sensory needs
Existing accessible playgrounds remain limited across the city
State funding is supporting new and improved playground projects
Growing up, we all have memories of going down the slide or running around the playground, but for some children, this is not the case. Traditional playgrounds overload their senses and overwhelm them. They need somewhere that was designed with their needs in mind. That is exactly what New York State Assembly Bill 2025-A6962 aims to accomplish.
New York Bill Would Expand Access to Inclusive Playgrounds Across New York
The bill, also known as the No Child Left Out Inclusive Playgrounds Act, would require newly built and renovated playgrounds to be accessible for children with disabilities, namely neurodivergent and autistic children. The bill is now in Committee Assembly.
New sensory-friendly playgrounds would offer autistic children a space to play outdoors without the typical physical and social barriers of traditional playgrounds. All children need exercise and a chance to use their active imaginations in a place like a playground, but because of bright lights reflecting off metallic slides or concrete, loud noises, and daunting crowds, any child who processes their environment differently is unable to have fun to the fullest.
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There are already some existing sensory-friendly playgrounds across the city that are multi-sensory play experiences for children with auditory, tactile, and visual impairments, but they can be few and far between, such as in the 42nd Council District.
New York City Councilmember Chris Banks recounted a story earlier this week about a constituent with an autistic child telling him about their struggle to find suitable playgrounds, stating, “My child has no place to play here in the 42nd Council District.” Banks went on to say that “Any new playgrounds that are being rehabbed, will have to have that sensory equipment so our folks can maintain and be able to play in the playgrounds locally in their community.”
However, there is still some concern about whether the playgrounds will be gated to prevent children with special needs from running off. Additionally, these same children will lose these inclusive spaces to play when a harsh winter hits New York, and these new playgrounds are buried beneath the snow, never to be seen again until summer. It remains unclear how the bill or its proponents will address the issue.
New York Is Investing in More Places for Kids to Play
The support for playgrounds as a whole is also growing, with Governor Kathy Hochul announcing a $67.5 million plan for 89 projects to construct and improve playgrounds across the state, with three New York City parks each receiving $2.5 million: Kaiser Park playground in Brooklyn, Gwen Ifill Park in Queens and Lozada Playground in the Bronx.
According to Gov. Hochul’s plan, the dedicated funds will “create and improve accessible outdoor spaces where children of all abilities can play, be active and connect with their communities.”
With more than more than 1,700 parks, playgrounds, and recreation facilities across the five boroughs, the No Child Left Out Inclusive Playgrounds Act is carving out a space for neurodivergent and special needs children to play like any other child.
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