After installing the first piece of wheelchair-accessible playground equipment in Potton, CALA’s North Home Counties team is highlighting the importance of providing inclusive children’s play areas.
The newly launched playground at our Clover Gate development in Potton comes complete with a slide, accessible swing option, and a see-saw, and is the only playground to feature equipment which is inclusive for all abilities within a 20 mile radius.
The accessible swing is the first of its kind in the area and will allow all children, including those with mobility issues, to enjoy the playground’s facilities.
Jim Dawkins, our Commercial Director, said that ensuring all play areas on our developments include accessible equipment is an important goal for our business across the region:
“The playground is an integral part of our Clover Gate development, and it’s exciting to see it so well received by residents. It’s an important first step to ensure that all of our future playground provision includes accessible elements.
“All children deserve an inclusive, accessible space in which to play, and we are delighted that we have been able to provide that at Clover Gate. Playgrounds don’t just enable children to stay fit and healthy, they are also places to make friends and encourage social skills.
“Delivering inclusive play equipment within future developments is a key addition to Cala North Home Counties’ strategy and we’re committed to providing accessible apparatus on all playgrounds we deliver moving forward.”
Bedford-based charity for families living with additional needs and disabilities, Families United Network, applauded Cala with Charity Development Manager, Caroline Fonseca, saying:
“Designing all playgrounds so that they include accessible equipment and spaces is vital to allow children with disabilities to feel that they are an equal and a valued part of their local community.
“Ensuring that playgrounds and equipment can be accessed by all children provides opportunities for everyone to recognise and learn how to communicate and support each other; helping to increase everyone’s understanding and acceptance of people with disabilities.”