Accessible Playgrounds in Howard County

Centennial Park North – Columbia

Come enjoy a fully accessible play experience that includes a new playground and path! In November 2021 a new inclusive playground opened at Centennial Park North. The next phase which includes an inclusive path with more play equipment opened in November 2023. All ages and abilities enjoy musical instruments, a non-verbal communication board, expression swings, accessible ramps, and a Zero-G swing chair, all cushioned beneath by special spongy rubber surfacing, making it easier for wheelchairs to navigate. The brand-new sensory trail with a sensory play area caps off this project and includes even more areas for children of all abilities to play and explore. There is a restroom facility by the parking lot. Use the entrance off Old Annapolis Road and head straight to the playground.

Laura’s Playground at Blandair Regional Park – Columbia

Go through the North entrance to the park. Play-for-all events and special programming make this park a wonderful experience for children of all abilities. The park boasts non-verbal communication boards, zero-entry merry-go-round, and other ADA-compliant accommodations such as rubber mat surfacing for wheelchair navigation ease. This bright and colorful play area is expansive and accommodates cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory disabilities. Other paved paths lead to three main areas of the park. Bocce ball courts, horseshoe pits, restrooms, and picnic pavilions with accessible seating are nearby.

Schooley Mill Park - Highland

This adorable farm-themed play area recently received a brand-new facelift to better accommodate children of all abilities, focusing on cognitive, communicative, social/emotional, and sensory disabilities. Features include a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, an improved ramp, a non-verbal communication board, new fencing, musical instruments, and a swing with an overhead latch. Rubber mat surfacing allows wheelchairs to roll with ease. There is a restroom facility near the playground.

Schooley Mill Park

Savage Park - Savage

The county is going all out redoing and remodeling playgrounds to make them accessible for children and parents. Savage Park's play area is no exception. The recently revealed improvements include a non-verbal communication board that also has Braille, words, and symbols, 4 "Too Small to Fail" boards to promote communication and interaction between children and caregivers, musical stations with sensory panels, imagination tables to promote creativity, stairs and pod steppers and a complex climbing structure to promote motor planning, critical thinking and upper body strength. New sidewalks flush with the parking lot and rubber mat surfacing promote mobility access and make it easier for wheelchairs and other mobility aids to navigate the area. There is a restroom facility adjacent to the playground.

Warfield Pond Park - Glenwood

The new, inclusive playground at Warfield Pond Park replaces a more than 25-year-old playground that is modern and accessible to residents of all abilities. The 4,800-square-foot playground added swings and two merry-go-rounds, both of which have elements that improve accessibility. Other new amenities include an augmented and alternative communication board, benches, shade structures, interactive musical play, and a fully accessible rubber surface that has a unique branch and leaf pattern. In addition, walkways, boardwalks overlooking the pond, fishing pier, updated benches, and the parking lot are accessible. There is also ADA access to the tennis courts. Come out and play and explore Western Howard County.

To date - Adult Changing Stations have been added to the following Howard County Recreation and Parks facilities:

Gary J. Arthur Community Center

Harriet Tubman Cultural Center

North Laurel Community Center