Metropolitan Government of Nashville & Davidson County
ADA Compliance Division
Project in the Spotlight
HARRIS-HILLMAN SCHOOL PLAYGROUNDS
Harris-Hillman School was built in 1975 and serves a group of students who have very unique needs. The school provides a great deal of care meeting the students’ individual requirements. This project was to install two separate play areas with accessible play equipment. The whole project is accessible and even has some environmentally friendly elements such as the surface made of recycled products, so it’s not only fun, but safe and “green”!
Photo: Accessible ground component with accessible ramp and handrails, allowing a wheelchair to get to the equipment and use the swing.
Photo: This is an accessible elevated play component and a ground component.The elevated play componenthas a transfer platform with two elevated play components -- the double slide and the bubble panel. The ground component is the Happy Hippo. They are both on an accessible route that is made of poured-in play surface.
Photo: This is an accessible picnictable and park bench. The table is 34" above the ground with knee and toe clearance to allow such things as wheelchairs to pull right up and use.The accessible bench is on a level area that has a 30" x 48" accessible transfer area next to the bench. This area is also level.
Photo: This is the first play area. It has multiple features and accessible components. The play area is composed of poured-in play surface. This surface is accessible and safe for kids to just be kids. The play structure is covered with pyramid shade roof to provide shade on hot summer days. It also has an elevated play structure and two ground components, picnic table, and bench. All of these items are accessible and are on an accessible path.
Photo: This is an individual swing play component that has an accessible route to the swing. It also has maneuvering clearance for a wheelchair to ride the swing in a safe and fun environment.
Photo: This is two accessible swings. The first is a standard belt-style swing, while the second is a swing with a safety harness structure for children who might have trouble with motor skills or someone who needs added support.
Photo: This is the second play area. It has multiple features and accessible components. The play area is composed of poured-in play surface which is accessible and safe. The animal crawl tunnel is covered with pyramid shade roof to help to protect against the summer sun. It also has a pair of swings and three other ground components -- a bongo panel, tap-a-tone panel, and abacus panel. All of these items are accessible and on an accessible path.
Photo: Two ground components: On the left is a tap-a-tone panel, designed to allow audible interaction for individuals who might have sight issues. The abacus panel on the right allows for fun sliding the beads back and forth and can also be an educational tool for math.