The Playground Belonging Project explores time sustained in play as an under-recognized indicator of inclusive design. Instead of auditing accessible features, it examines whether playgrounds support children with disabilities and their caregivers to remain engaged and at ease for a meaningful period of everyday use. Using a caregiver-led, post-occupancy reflection tool, the project connects duration to experiential domains for both children and caregivers, supporting more responsive evaluation practices. This work introduces “time held in belonging” as a human-centered metric to help inform future inclusive play environments through design, renewal, and planning decisions. Join the mailing list for updates at playgroundbelonging.com.
Photo caption: ‘More play!’ - her words during play. Caption added by her parent as part of the Playground Belonging Project.