14 Bay Area All-Abilities Playgrounds That Welcome Everyone

Helen Diller Civic Center Playgrounds: Head to the Civic Center for a two-for-one playground combo that opened in early 2018. These two massive climbing structures boast innovative design and cushioned artificial turf for children to play. Multi-sensory areas and traditional swings provide kids with different ways to move their bodies. The park even has elements that allow children in wheelchairs to swing and play. Read all about them here. Bonus: Bi-rite set up shop in the plaza so you can get your pre-playground coffee fix!

Civic Center Plaza
San Francisco
Online: sfrecpark.org/helen-diller-civic-center-playgrounds/

Mia's Dream Come True Playground: A project many years in the making, Mia is a 13-year-old with severe cerebral palsy whose parents came up with a dream to build an all-access playground for their daughter and community to enjoy, located in Tennyson Park. The one-acre playground is almost entirely wheelchair accessible and boasts an actual Hayward Fire department fire truck and all-ability swings among many other play options. This playground is a dream for all! 

28377 Huntwood Ave.
Hayward
Online: haywardrec.org/1840/Mias-Dream-Come-True-Playground

Matteo's Dream Playground: This wonderful playground in Concord was spearheaded by mom Liz Lamach for her son Matteo who used a wheelchair due to a number of disabilities. Matteo's Dream has wide ramps to provide access to people in wheelchairs, along with many other features like a sensory garden, high-back swings and areas for spinning. 

2050 Olivera Rd.
Concord
Online: cityofconcord.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Matteos-Dream-39

Heather Farm Park Playground: Walnut Creek’s All Abilities Playground is 30,000 square feet in size and was designed to fully address the needs of the whole child by intentionally addressing the physical, cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory needs of all children. The playground has the following features: shock-absorbent, resilient-surface pathways and flooring beneath all play equipment, structures and equipment with wider ramps, ground-level play opportunities, swing set zone with tot swings and high-back special-needs swings, sound and sensory equipment throughout, shaded play structures, providing more protection from heat and sun, and benches within the play zones, so parents can sit close to where children play

301 N San Carlos Dr.
Walnut Creek
Online: wccivicpride.org

Athan Downs Park: Opened in 2013, Athan Downs was designed to bring kids of all abilities together to play and create memories and friendships. The playground includes many accessible and sensory-rich activities. Plus, with the extensive ramping system, kids using mobility devices will be able to get to the center of the playground action.

2975 Montevideo Dr.
San Ramon
Online: sanramon.ca.gov/

Roberts Regional Recreation Area: This East Bay gem near the Chabot Space & Science Center has an extra-large playground that all kids can enjoy. Fully wheelchair accessible, the structure has lots of educational stations: a map of the United States, tracing games and name that vegetable—all really great opportunities to engage with your child through play.

10570 Skyline Blvd.
Oakland
Online: ebparks.org/parks/roberts/

Imagine Playground: The City of Dublin has opened its new all-abilities playground, Imagine Playground at Dublin Sports Grounds. The playground was designed with the intent to provide a play structure and facilities that can be enjoyed by people with all kinds of special needs. Kids will love the music-making opportunities, swings, slides and more. 

6700 Dublin Blvd.
Dublin
Online: dublin.ca.gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/Dublin-Sports-Grounds-34

Magical Bridge Playground Redwood City: Parents were thrilled when this all-abilities Magical Bridge Playground opened in Red Morton Park at the end of 2020. You'll find all the elements of the Palo Alto playground that you love, plus more. Kids can head to the Innovation Zone to play the magical musical harp, and then head over to the tot zone area for some water play. Climb up the King Kong climbing ropes and slide down one of the various slides. Accessible swings, spinners for kids in wheelchairs and tons of other thoughtful features make this a great playground for all kids. 

1120 Roosevelt Ave.
Redwood City
Online: magicalbridge.org/redwoodcity/

LEO's Haven: LEO’s Haven in Santa Cruz is an inclusive playground for children of all abilities. You'll love the swings, spinners and tractor slide—all with a farm theme. From its rubberized surfacing, adapted swings, and tactile features to its wheelchair accessible play structure and quiet entryways for those with sensory difficulties, LEO’s Haven was designed to be accessible and enjoyable for children of all abilities.

1975 Chanticleer Ave.
Santa Cruz
Online: scparks.com/Home/Parks/AllCountyParks/ChanticleerCountyPark.aspx

Rotary Playgarden: Donated by the Rotary of San Jose in 2015, this playground located within Guadalupe River Park aims to enable children with special needs to play alongside their siblings and friends. Right near the airport (with loads of planes flying overhead!), the park offers a wheelchair accessible merry-go-round (moved by kid power!), slides, swings and all sorts of kinetic art to get kids exploring. The entire play area is fenced for safety but there's not a ton of shade there so go on a cloudy day. Read more about our visit here.

Coleman Ave. at Autumn St.
San Jose
Online: rotaryplaygarden.org/