The Nature of Inclusive Play: A Guide for Designers, Educators, and Therapists

This book provides designers, planners, educators, and therapists with the practical information required to remove inequity in outdoor spaces, by creating inviting and inclusive solutions so that all children and their families, regardless of situation or circumstance, can experience the joys and benefits of outdoor play without stigma.

It is the first of its kind, co-written by an occupational therapist and landscape architect both with proven expertise in inclusive play space design. The Nature of Inclusive Play fills an untapped niche in promoting the value of outdoor play. It focuses on what embodies play and shows how, through inclusive outdoor play design, developmental skills can be enriched. The topics covered in the book include:

• a discussion of the health benefits associated with being outdoors
• the history of and value of play
• an overview of typical child development
• the importance of sensory regulation
• an inclusive design review process
• design guidelines.

All topics are supplemented with nine applicable case studies of inclusive outdoor play spaces with features that reflect inclusive⁺ principles, including examples from North America and Africa. It is a much-needed guide for landscape architects, urban planners, allied health care professionals, early childhood educators, academics, and students.

Amy Wagenfeld, PhD, OTR/L, SCEM, EDAC, FAOTA, is an occupational therapist, therapeutic and universal design consultant, educator, researcher, and author. She is an Affiliate Associate Professor in the University of Washington’s Department of Landscape Architecture and is the Principal of Amy Wagenfeld | Design, a therapeutic design consulting organization. Amy is a Fellow of the American Occupational Therapy Association, holds evidence-based design accreditation and certification (EDAC) through the Center for Health Design, specialty certification in environmental modifications (SCEM) through the American Occupational Therapy Association, and certification in Healthcare Garden Design through the Chicago Botanical Garden. She was recently awarded the American Society of Landscape Architects Outstanding Service Award and the American Occupational Therapy Association Recognition of Achievement for her unique blending of occupational therapy and therapeutic design. Amy publishes and presents widely on topics related to nature and health and is co-author of the award-winning book Therapeutic Gardens: Design for Healing Spaces published by Timber Press and Nature-Based Allied Health Practice by Jessica Kingsley Publishers.

Chad Kennedy, PLA, CPSI, is a Principal Landscape Architect for a private design firm, O’Dell Engineering. He holds a master’s degree in landscape architecture from Utah State University. His interest in design-oriented childhood development and psychologically healthy play environments originates from a yearlong interdisciplinary disability course he participated in at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University nearly 20 years ago. Chad’s experience there made a lasting impression, guiding his passion for creating outdoor environments that are sensitive to all forms of children’s development needs, promote wellness and completeness, and provide unimpeded access to all who wish to participate. Chad has published numerous articles on child-focused design and presents nationally on these and related subjects. Under his direction as a partner, O’Dell Engineering has focused on designing health care gardens and recreational environments that meet those criteria, including many socially inclusive and sensory-integrated playgrounds.