Finding a playground that works for a child who uses a wheelchair, needs a harness to sit securely, or is overwhelmed by noise takes more than spotting a slide from the road. Brisbane City Council publishes a glossary of the equipment it installs in its accessible playgrounds and names a handful of parks that carry the label. This guide pulls those pages together, and it only describes features that council itself states for each named park.
What council means by accessible and inclusive
Council’s stated aim is that accessible and inclusive playgrounds give children equal opportunity to learn, grow and develop through play, regardless of age or ability. As at 9 November 2026, council says more than 40 playgrounds across Brisbane use natural and built elements to encourage active, exploratory, social and quiet play. The council page does not publish a list of those sites. Instead, it tells you to click a park’s location on its map and check the facilities information for accessible play equipment.
Equipment you may see, and what it is for
The glossary on council’s park facilities page is useful because it explains what each item does, so you can match equipment to your child rather than relying on the label alone.
Swings and moving equipment
Council describes several swing types. A 5-way swing has specially designed seats and lets up to 5 children swing together safely. An all abilities swing seat is for older children and has a seatbelt harness and high back support. A liberty swing is wheelchair accessible, with a ramp, lap belt and lock chains to secure the wheels. A hammock or “wave” swing lets a child sit or lie down while swinging. For spinning, a multi-use spinner lets children transfer from a wheelchair to the disc and either sit or lie on it. The accessible carousel is a high-backed merry-go-round where wheelchairs can be locked in, so no transfer is needed. A double flying fox has two pommel seats so children can race and share the experience.
Sand, play structures and communication
For sand play, council lists an accessible sandpit with a station to help children transfer from wheelchairs into the pit, an accessible sand digger that children who use wheelchairs can operate, and a sand table that allows access for all wheelchair types. An elevated play structure includes ramped access, sensory panels, slides, nets and poles. Sensory panels combine tactile, visual and auditory elements to encourage social interaction between children. Choice boards are visual boards on which children of all abilities can communicate how they would like to play. Underfoot, rubber soft fall is a shock-absorbent surface used to lessen the impact of falls.
Named parks and what council says about them
The feature lists below are as council stated them at 9 November 2026 and may change with upgrades.
City Botanic Gardens
Council says the City Botanic Gardens has an accessible playground for children of all ages and abilities. It is the Baldwin Lawn Playground, with a castle-themed fort that has slides, viewing platforms and a climbing net. Council adds that it includes a quiet play area, sand pit, accessible toilets, picnic tables and chairs.
Sherwood Arboretum
Sherwood Arboretum has two playgrounds. One is a large playground for older children, with slides, swings and climbing nets. The other is an inclusive nature-inspired playground, which council says encourages children of all abilities to explore, climb and connect with nature. It features play pods, balance beams, a canopy-gazing net and a wave boardwalk. Council also notes accessible paths leading from the car park to the playgrounds, barbecues, shelter areas and riverside boardwalk.
Minnippi Parklands
Minnippi Parklands covers 90 hectares and is made up of multiple parks. The accessible and inclusive playground is at Preston Road Park, which council says has a multi-use spinner and a harnessed swing seat. The park is at 25 Preston Road, Carina.
Musgrave Park and Ken Fletcher Park
Musgrave Park, at 91 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane, features expansive lawns, city views, an accessible playground and a basketball half court. Council’s facilities list for the park also shows public toilets.
Related News
Ken Fletcher Park, at 167 King Arthur Terrace, Tennyson, has a power station-themed playground with an intricate climbing frame and sand and water-play areas. Its facilities list includes accessible adult changing facilities alongside the accessible and inclusive playground. Council notes the playground cannot be booked and has to be shared with other park users.
How to use this information
Council’s pages name equipment for some parks and only the label “accessible and inclusive playground” for others, so the detail varies. Where a page lists no specific features, treat the label as a starting point and check the facilities information on council’s map before you go.
FAQ
How many accessible playgrounds does Brisbane have? As at 9 November 2026, council says more than 40 playgrounds use natural and built elements to encourage active, exploratory, social and quiet play.
How do I check whether my local park has accessible equipment? Council says to click the park’s location on its map and check the facilities information.
Is there a quiet space for children who find playgrounds overwhelming? As at 9 November 2026, council says that at the City Botanic Gardens, the Baldwin Lawn Playground includes a quiet play area.
Do any named parks have accessible adult changing facilities? As at 9 November 2026, council’s facilities list for Ken Fletcher Park includes accessible adult changing facilities.
