across the country, approximately 13% of children are supported by the individuals with disabilities education act (idea). yet many playgrounds still fall short of meeting their needs, lacking accessible routes, sensory-friendly elements, and opportunities for inclusive play.

that’s where inclusive design makes a meaningful difference. while ada compliance ensures essential features like accessible routes, transfer stations, and ground-level components, truly inclusive playgrounds go further. they are intentionally designed to engage children of all abilities, supporting physical, sensory, cognitive, and social development in safe, welcoming environments.

at snyder & associates, we’re dedicated to helping communities create spaces that promote connection, active lifestyles, and universal access. our expertise spans all-inclusive playgrounds, miracle league fields, and adaptive trail systems. we provide a comprehensive range of services, from community engagement and master 2022世界杯32强预选赛 to ada audits, site design, and construction documentation, to turn inclusive visions into reality.

we believe that parks and recreational spaces should reflect the full diversity of the communities they serve. the following examples showcase four inclusive playgrounds and parks designed to foster belonging and make a lasting impact.

1. all-inclusive playground & baseball field: ankeny miracle league

ankeny miracle league playground.

celebrated as a vibrant and inclusive space for children of all ages and abilities, the ankeny miracle league field has quickly become a cherished community asset. as the second miracle league field in iowa and the first to feature a co-located, all-inclusive playground, this park sets a new standard for accessible recreation in the state.

at the heart of the park is a custom-designed, rubberized turf field, offering a smooth, cushioned surface that’s free of obstacles, perfect for athletes using mobility devices. nearby, a shaded shelter with a concession stand supports family-friendly events and community gatherings.

what truly sets this park apart is its two-story, sensory-rich playground, the largest in ankeny, spanning over 14,000 square feet. this thoughtfully designed space isn’t just for weekend fun, it’s used regularly for miracle league games and serves as an outdoor play area for students at the adjacent terrace elementary school.

the ankeny miracle league park is more than just a playground. it’s a place where every child is encouraged to play freely, feel included, and be part of something special.

2. all-inclusive recreational opportunities: urbandale miracle league field & playground

urbandale miracle league playground.

nestled among the little league fields at northview park, the urbandale miracle league field and adjacent all-inclusive playground are transforming recreation for individuals of all ages and abilities. these thoughtfully designed spaces provide a safe and welcoming environment where everyone, regardless of physical or cognitive ability, can experience the joy of play. whether it’s a game of baseball, a friendly round of kickball, or simply climbing and sliding, this park proves that fun has no limits.

snyder & associates played a key role in bringing this vision to life, delivering a wide range of services throughout the project. our team provided ada compliance reviews, park 2022世界杯32强预选赛 , sports field engineering, signage design, and even created a 3d video tour to help generate community support during construction. we also developed fundraising and promotional display boards for urbandale city hall and polk county 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 works.

what makes this miracle field truly unique is its versatility. while it was designed for baseball, city leaders plan to host a variety of inclusive events, ranging from kickball games to community festivals, ensuring the space continues to serve as a hub for connection, celebration, and inclusive fun.

3. park master 2022世界杯32强预选赛 : ames miracle league field & playground

at inis grove park in ames, more than 500 children and 300 adults with special needs in story county now have a place to play, connect, and thrive. the ames miracle league field and all-inclusive playground at inis grove park are designed to break down barriers and create lasting memories for individuals of all abilities.

by featuring equipment tailored to all skill levels and stages of development, the space invites everyone to play.

this transformative project is rooted in three guiding goals:

• promoting inclusive play and advancing social equity throughout the community.
• developing practical solutions to address both community concerns and site-specific challenges.
• inspiring community pride and investment through a visionary, meaningful space everyone can enjoy.

snyder & associates led the project from vision to execution, serving as the primary consultant and main point of contact for the city of ames and the miracle league committee. our team performed a detailed site inventory and analysis, reviewing natural features, existing park use, and circulation patterns to ensure the new amenities complemented and enhanced the broader park environment.

the resulting master plan honors the character of inis grove park while fulfilling the community’s vision for a space where everyone, regardless of ability, feels welcome and engaged.

4. inclusive playground & park improvements for pella’s kiwanis park

in pella, iowa, a project rooted in accessibility is reshaping the landscape of 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 recreation.

easy-access play structures and smooth playground surfaces ensure wheelchairs can move freely, creating an inclusive space for all.

spearheaded by wonder spelen (dutch for “miracle play”), this nonprofit initiative is dedicated to creating an all-inclusive playground where children of all abilities can experience the joy of play in a space built specifically for their needs.

at the heart of the project is the revitalization of kiwanis park into a regional destination that reflects the city of pella’s commitment to inclusion and ada compliance. in partnership with snyder & associates, the city developed a comprehensive master plan that blends pella’s iconic dutch-inspired aesthetic with universal design principles.

the playground features smooth, wide pathways, accessible surfacing, transfer platforms, and appropriately scaled play equipment, each element carefully selected to support independent, meaningful play for children of all abilities. the surrounding park was also enhanced to ensure seamless access and a cohesive, inclusive environment.

kiwanis park stands as a powerful example of what’s possible when a community views ada compliance not just as a mandate, but as a shared value. it’s a space where inclusion is intentional, access is universal, and every child is welcomed to play, grow, and belong.

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understanding streambank erosion 

streambank erosion is a natural process, but when it accelerates due to human activity, weather extremes, and land use changes, erosion can threaten community infrastructure or buildings, degrade water quality, and impact ecosystems.

what does streambank erosion look like?

sloughing banks, bare soil, exposed tree roots, sediment in the water, and an overly widened channel are common signs of streambank erosion. unstable banks and downcutting often compromise nearby infrastructures such as roads, bridges, trails, and utilities, while sediment runoff deteriorates water quality and disrupts aquatic habitats downstream. additionally, bank erosion also deteriorates riparian habitat and access to water.

preventing erosion

the best approach to designing community assets (housing, commercial, parks, utilities, etc.) is to avoid impacts to natural resources that protect our watersheds: prairie, wetlands, floodplain, and streams. proactive communities adopt and enforce ordinances minimizing impacts to natural areas, such as stream buffer ordinances. stream restoration approaches also help maintain healthy riparian zones and manage stormwater.

how is it reduced?

we address streambank erosion by assessing our streams and combining engineering expertise with environmental science. depending on the site conditions and severity, our strategies to reduce erosion and improve channel stability may include:

• native plantings and live staking along the banks and in the floodplain
• rock structures such as bendway weirs or toe rock
• bank shaping to restore a more natural, stable slope
• constructing floodplain benches to reestablish connection between the stream and the 1.5 to 2 years floodplain
• remaindering or adding bends back into a straightened channel slows velocities
• out letting tile within the riparian buffer and letting tile water flow overland rather than out letting directly to a channel
• installing edge of field practices such as saturated buffers or bioreactors
• establishing riffles or other grade control structures to reduce streambed downcutting and slow water velocities
• utilizing beaver dam analogs

these strategies are designed to both protect infrastructure and enhance ecological functions. restoring natural stream functions and establishing riparian buffers builds long-term resilience against extreme weather events.

real-world solution in action: fourmile creek, central iowa

fourmile creek in spring 2025

one example of our long-term commitment to stream health is our work along fourmile creek in central iowa, where we partnered with the des moines metropolitan wastewater reclamation authority (wra), polk county conservation, and other local agencies to restore over 8,000 feet of severely eroded stream.

with the support of $4.2 million in srf sponsored project funding, our team designed and implemented cost-effective solutions, such as bendway weirs, toe rock, native buffers, and floodplain benches to stabilize streambanks, protect nearby sewer infrastructure, and improve water quality. this effort helped reduce sediment loads, enhance ecological function, and secure additional conservation land, reflecting the power of collaborative restoration to transform stream systems for lasting community and environmental benefit.

our team’s strategic 2022世界杯32强预选赛 and design efforts have improved not only fourmile creek, but also several other waterways, including sugar creek, buck creek, ioway creek, and the des moines river. each of these projects came with its own goals, landscapes, and technical considerations. by customizing our approach to the surrounding environment and community needs, we’ve supported long-term stream health , enhanced natural habitat, and contributed to more sustainable land and water management practices across the region.

with the support of $4.2 million in srf sponsored project funding, our team designed and implemented cost-effective solutions, such as bendway weirs, toe rock, native buffers, and floodplain benches to stabilize streambanks, protect nearby sewer infrastructure, and improve water quality. this effort helped reduce sediment loads, enhance ecological function, and secure additional conservation land, reflecting the power of collaborative restoration to transform stream systems for lasting community and environmental benefit.

fourmile creek after construction in summer 2025

with the support of $4.2 million in srf sponsored project funding, our team designed and implemented cost-effective solutions, such as bendway weirs, toe rock, native buffers, and floodplain benches to stabilize streambanks, protect nearby sewer infrastructure, and improve water quality. this effort helped reduce sediment loads, enhance ecological function, and secure additional conservation land, reflecting the power of collaborative restoration to transform stream systems for lasting community and environmental benefit.

our team’s strategic 2022世界杯32强预选赛 and design efforts have improved not only fourmile creek, but also several other waterways, including sugar creek, buck creek, ioway creek, and the des moines river. each of these projects came with its own goals, landscapes, and technical considerations. by customizing our approach to the surrounding environment and community needs, we’ve supported long-term stream health , enhanced natural habitat, and contributed to more sustainable land and water management practices across the region.

whether we’re restoring rural streams or stabilizing urban creeks, our team delivers site-specific solutions that enhance environmental health while promoting 世界杯足球比赛预选赛 safety. we understand that healthy streams and buffers are an integral part of our communities, supporting everything from water quality and recreation to flood control and infrastructure protection. by reducing erosion within our waterways, we support the people, ecosystems, and neighborhoods that rely on them every day.

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