Accessibility & Inclusion in Play: Planning Multi-Generational Parks for All Users

Written By: Joshua Wilcox, Parks Planner for Syracuse Parks, Recreation and Youth Programs

For many, parks provide the backdrop for some of our most cherished and lasting memories. To your local Park Planners, the Syracuse Parks system is more than just a collection of green spaces; it reflects our community’s shared values, history, and aspirations. Whether it’s a trail for a morning dog walk, a playground filled with laughter, a shaded bench for quiet reflection, or a pool where children learn to swim, every element of our parks exists because of thoughtful planning and stewardship—but there is always more to do.

Today, two key principles guide modern parks planning: accessibility and inclusionary design for multi-generational users. Ensuring that park spaces are fully inclusive means that everyone—regardless of age, physical ability, or cognitive function—can navigate, engage, and enjoy recreation without barriers. It is crucial in playgrounds, where thoughtful design fosters safe, equitable play for children of all abilities while also considering the needs of caregivers and older adults who accompany them. It is truly a path towards social cohesion.

At the national level, the importance of accessibility in park spaces has been recognized, and in 2017, the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) called for expanded efforts at all levels of government to create more inclusive environments. In Syracuse, our Parks Department manages 41 playgrounds, many of which still lack fully accessible safety surfaces, proper connections, and equipment designed for diverse abilities. While incremental improvements have been made, funding gaps, seasonal conditions, and aging infrastructure remain challenges.

However, the momentum for change is strong. Recent projects are pushing accessibility and multi-generational design forward. At Skiddy Park, a long-overdue playground overhaul, totaling over $400k will introduce new rubber safety surfacing, an updated 2-5 year-old play structure, and a We-Go-Round, an inclusive, wheelchair-accessible spinner designed to enhance social and motor skill development.

At Progress Park in the Inner Harbor, the upcoming Trailside Family Recreation Play Area will set a new standard for inclusive play. Opening in Spring 2026, the $1.3m project will feature sensory play elements, tactile safety surfaces, an adaptive play area, and an educational rain garden—all designed to encourage intergenerational interaction along the Onondaga Creekwalk and Empire State Trail.

Beyond playgrounds, Syracuse Parks is committed to improving accessibility system-wide by resetting our standards for ADA-designated parking, investing in capital improvements for playground surfacing, and strengthening engagement to guide future upgrades.

It is with the help of our partners and the many citizens who are all stakeholders, we can continue to prioritize these types of improvements and more, by providing inclusive spaces—where children, parents, and grandparents can share experiences, stay active, and build connections that span generations.

Always feel open to letting us know what you think! ParksPlanning@syr.gov