Salmon Bay School

ASD Inclusive Playground

Seattle, Washington

ROLE: landscape architecture

SCOPE OF WORK: Campus improvement master plan, ASD inclusive playground design & stormwater features

STATUS: Construction 2012

CONSTRUCTION COSTS: estimated $210,000

CLIENT: Friends of Salmon Bay School & Seattle School District

Salmon Bay K-8 has an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) inclusion program. The parent group wanted to transform their existing asphalt playground into one that is more welcoming, nurturing and challenging for kids with ASD, as well as for all kids in the community. We worked closely with the parents, teachers, and autism specialists to understand what would work well. The result is a design that looks a bit more like a park than a traditional school playground. A large stone "tree root planter" separates play equipment components in order to spread kids out, isolate stimulations, and avoid sensory overload. The playground offers a variety of environments and transition zones where they can hover until they are comfortable joining in an activity. Natural textures and materials are part of the plan, as well as equipment specifically designed to challenge strength, coordination and balance as well as experiences that encourage kids to socialize. A "flow line" encodes number patterns that will appeal to those ASD students who are gifted in math. Ultimately, a playground that works well for kids with ASD also works great for all kids.