A is for Access, Aspire, and Age Groups

Throughout 2026 we will be running through the basics of playground planning and designs one letter at a time! Kicking things off with the letter A, we are focusing on Access, Apsire, and Age groups.

Access can be approached in many different ways in regards to the planning and design process. Focusing on the design lens first, all of our playgrounds are designed to meet the basic guidelines set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act also known as ADA. ADA guidelines state that there must be an accessible path to the playground itself as well as accessible paths within the playground to the play elements. During our customers planning process, we encourage them to ensure that there are pathways within the grade requirement set forth by the ADA leading from the park entrance and parking areas. Our design team within Barrs Rec and Burke design each playground to meet if not exceed ADA standards.

When completing the initial site visit, your representative will take measurements of the area set aside for the playground. During the site visit they will also make a note of what type of access our installers will have to the site. When evaluating site access, we consider where our installers will stage equipment, if our machinery can fit through any fencing on site, where a dumpster will be, the location of trees, and known utility lines. Appropriate site access minimizes the risk of damaging landscaping, and reduces the cost of installation.

Aspire is Burke’s thrilling tower design that can be found in several Barrs Rec Playgrounds, including McKinney Park in South Carolina, Oak Hollow Marina in High Point, North Carolina, and the Rutherford County Soccer Complex. Aspire brings even more adventure and discovery into the playspace with a child's experience beginning before they reach the playground inspiring them to explore what it would be like to climb to the top of the tower and to slide down swift and twisting slides. Developmentally, the perceived challenge of ascending to the tower through rope tunnels encourages strategic thinking, strength building, and resilience. Each trip up and down the tower provides a unique sensory experience.

Playspaces are designed with Age Groups in mind. Age groups help your design team determine what are age appropriate challenges for each stage of physical, emotional, and social development. Choosing the correct age group for your end user ensures that all users remain comfortable and safe as they experience challenges on the playground. We offer equipment that starts for the smallest users at 6-23 months, followed by young 2-5 year olds, school-aged children ages 5-12, and fitness equipment and intergenerational pieces for those 13+. Designs for the 6-23 month ages allow for repetitive gross motor activities, sensory and cause/effect, for the 2-5 age group we primarily concentrate on development and encouraging exploration. Of course, challenges are provided, but it is important to keep in mind the ability of these younger users and focus on the social element of play. For users in the 5-12 age group we focus our designs on adventure, challenge, and providing an environment for safe risk-taking.

Do you have questions on if your site has good access, if Aspire is right for your project, or if you are considering the correct age groups? Drop us a line and we will make sure you’re next playspace is amazing!