CPRS Award of Excellence Winner Imagine All Abilities Playground, Dublin, California

Imagine Playground

Dublin, CA

An inclusive destination for play, connection, and community

Imagine Playground is the Tri-Valley’s first all-abilities playground, designed to support development through inclusive, side-by-side play for children ages 2 to 12. GATES Studio led the transformation of a traditional playground at Dublin Sports Grounds into a dynamic, accessible space for users of all ages and abilities.

The reimagined space features multi-sensory play equipment, musical elements, and outdoor fitness stations for teens and adults. Additional improvements include a new picnic area, accessible pathways, upgraded restrooms, and custom site furnishings. A signature sculpture by Barbara Grygutis, Conversation, greets visitors at the entrance and celebrates connection and common ground.

Guided by extensive community input, the design reflects ideas and feedback from families, caregivers, educators, and residents of all abilities. The result is a space that truly invites everyone to play, connect, and belong.

This project was completed in 2020.

Awards

2021 CPRS Award of Excellence in Design - Park Planning

2022 NorCal APWA Project of the Year

From Ideas to Realization

Imagine Playground, All-Abilities, Community Outreach,
Imagine Playground, All- Abilities, Community Outreach Event, Landscape Architect
Imagine Playground, Dublin, Outreach Event, Coloring Stones

Creating a shared vision with the community to inform the design concept

Imagine Playground, All Abilities Park, Concept Plan, Grading Plan,
Imagine Playground, Dublin, All-Abilities Park, Final Grading Concept

From grading concept to final preferred alternative (above) and final built design (below)

Imagine Playground, Dublin, All-Abilities Park, Final Built Design, Park Overview
Imagine Playground, Dublin, All-Abilities Tire Swing, SPEC

Photo credit: SPEC

Imagine Playground, Dublin, Climbing Dome, All-Abilities Park,
Imagine Playground, Dublin, All-Abilities Park, Art Feature, Grand Opening

Grand Opening, March 2021

Imagine Playground, Dublin, All-Abilities, Landscape Architect, Climbing Dome
Imagine Playground, Dublin. All-Abilities Park, Overview, Landscape Architect, Play Area, Climbing Dome, Shaded Picnic Tables

Project Details

Birds eye view from Dublin Sports Grounds fields

Birds eye view from Dublin Sports Grounds fields

Aerial of built playground

Aerial of built playground

Outdoor fitness equipment for adults (photo credit: SPEC)

Outdoor fitness equipment for adults (photo credit: SPEC)

ADA-accessible picnic area (photo credit: SPEC)

ADA-accessible picnic area (photo credit: SPEC)

All abilities climbing dome (photo credit: SPEC)

All abilities climbing dome (photo credit: SPEC)

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