Schools, councils, and designers are placing far more focus on making playgrounds inclusive, creating spaces where every child can play, explore, and feel involved. But while accessible equipment often gets the spotlight, there’s another crucial factor that determines whether a space is truly inclusive: the surfacing beneath it.
At Abacus Playgrounds, we believe every child should feel safe, confident, and welcome in outdoor play areas—regardless of ability. That’s why we place just as much importance on accessible surfacing as we do on the structures it supports. In this blog, we explore how the right surfacing choices can make a profound difference in the inclusivity, safety, and usability of your playground.
What Makes a Playground Inclusive?
An inclusive playground is one that considers the needs of all children, including those with physical disabilities, sensory processing challenges, visual impairments, or neurodiverse needs. It should offer opportunities for everyone to play, interact, and explore side by side, with as few barriers as possible.
While equipment choice is key, such as ramps, sensory panels, or swing seats, access to and between these elements matters just as much. This is where surfacing comes into play.
Why Surfacing Is Central to Accessibility
Imagine a playground filled with inclusive equipment, swings with back supports, ground-level sensory panels, and multi-user roundabouts, but surrounded by uneven grass, loose bark, or cracked paving. For many children with mobility aids, wheelchairs, or visual impairments, those surfaces make the space functionally inaccessible.
Accessible surfacing ensures that:
- Children using wheelchairs or walking frames can move independently around the site
- Surfaces are level and trip-resistant for children with coordination challenges
- Those with visual or sensory impairments can engage without confusion or discomfort
- Caregivers and siblings of all ages and abilities can join in and support play
At Abacus, we work with schools, local authorities, and play consultants to recommend surfacing that enhances accessibility and supports wider inclusive design principles.
Surfacing Options That Support Inclusive Play
Wetpour Safety Surfacing
Wetpour is a continuous, rubber-based surface that is poured on-site and finishes with a smooth, seamless texture. It’s widely used in schools and public play areas because of its strong impact absorption and custom design potential.
Why it’s great for accessibility:
- Smooth and level—easy for wheelchairs, buggies, and mobility aids
- Seamless with no joins or gaps to trip over
- Customisable with bright colours, visual cues, and tactile patterns
- Meets BS EN 1177 safety standards for fall protection
Abacus offers a wide range of colour options and can incorporate markings or sensory elements into the design, making the surface part of the inclusive experience.
Artificial Grass with Shock Pad Base
For settings looking to retain a natural look without compromising on safety, artificial grass with an added shock pad layer is a strong choice.
Inclusive benefits:
- Consistent surface texture, less variable than real grass
- Soft underfoot for sensory-sensitive children
- Shock pad layer helps with fall protection
- Wheelchair and pram-friendly when installed over a solid base
Artificial grass works particularly well in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) areas, where sensory comfort and gentle play are a focus.
Bonded Rubber Mulch
Bonded Rubber mulch combines the aesthetic appeal of natural bark with the benefits of a bound, stable surface. It’s particularly suitable for woodland-themed play areas or settings with uneven terrain.
Why does it support accessibility?
- Bound together to prevent loose, shifting material
- Can be laid on gradients or existing undulations for improved access
- Provides a softer, more forgiving surface for exploratory and physical play
- Wheelchair-friendly when installed correctly
Accessible Pathways: SUDS Bond and Resin Bound Gravel
Inclusion doesn’t stop at the edge of the play area. Access routes to and around the space must also be considered.
SUDS Bond is a porous, hard-wearing material ideal for environmentally conscious settings and helps ensure surface water doesn’t block access.
Resin Bound Gravel provides an attractive, smooth pathway finish for entrances, quiet spaces, or around landscaped areas.
Both can be colour-matched to the play area and used to create loops or quiet retreat zones that support neurodiverse children in managing stimulation levels.
Beyond Mobility: Supporting Sensory and Neurodiverse Needs
Inclusive surfacing is not just about access for wheelchairs; it also supports:
- Tactile exploration: Surfaces with different textures can engage sensory seekers and provide calming input
- Visual clarity: Clear contrasts between areas help children with visual impairments understand the space layout
- Auditory comfort: Some surfaces, like bonded mulch or grass-effect systems, absorb sound and reduce overstimulation
At Abacus, we often work with SENCOs, teachers, and therapists to develop surfacing that supports a range of learning and sensory needs.
A Holistic Approach to Playground Design
True inclusivity goes beyond meeting a minimum standard. It’s about ensuring that every child can participate fully, at their own pace and in their own way. The role of surfacing in this cannot be overstated; it literally paves the way for inclusion.
Abacus Playgrounds takes a holistic approach, considering:
- Fall height safety (CFH)
- Material suitability for users with additional needs
- Aesthetics and wayfinding
- Drainage, maintenance, and long-term value
We work closely with schools, councils, and designers to create spaces where every child feels welcome, capable, and free to play.
Why Schools and Councils Choose Abacus
With over 30 years of experience in surfacing solutions, Abacus Playgrounds offers:
- A wide range of compliant, accessible surfacing types
- Expertise in SEN-friendly design features
- In-house installation teams across the UK
- Project support from consultation to completion
- Surfaces tailored to both the needs of the client and the children using them
Whether you’re upgrading a single play area or planning a full inclusion-led redevelopment, our team will help you make confident, informed choices that benefit every user.
Let’s Make Play Accessible for All
If you’re planning a new inclusive play space or looking to improve accessibility in your current playground, we are here to help. Contact us today to book your free site visit.