How much does an inclusive playground cost compared to a traditional one?
A traditional playground costs about $120 per square foot, using basic equipment and wood chips. An inclusive playground costs around $250 per square foot, mainly because of:
Premium surfacing (poured rubber at about $18/sq.ft.)
Adaptive swings (around $8,000 each)
Multi-sensory play equipment
Costs also include the product specification, bill of materials (BOM), and engineering drawings with accessibility dimensions. Grants like KaBOOM!’s Inclusive Play Fund can cover up to 50% of the cost.