Playground equipment is designed according to a child’s age to help ensure they can get maximum benefit out of the equipment, while maintaining a safer play experience. ASTM defines the age groups as ages 2-5 years and ages 5-12 years. You want to make sure you choose age appropriate activities for the age of children who will be using your playground.
This is a source of confusion for many people. Accessibility refers less to the playground equipment itself and more to the surfacing around the play space. You should offer a resilient surfacing material that meets current standards based on the height of your equipment, and create pathways to allow everyone (even those with limited mobility) access to the play components. Some types of surfacing materials are more accessible-friendly than others. To learn more about surfacing options, click here.