Belonging in urban park and playgrounds: Wellbeing perspectives of disabled children and their families

Abstract

Disabled children have the legal right to play, yet often face discrimination, stigmatisation, and exclusion in public parks, impacting their wellbeing and that of their families. Using qualitative analysis and guided by a rights-based approach, we interviewed 17 children and their families in Aotearoa/New Zealand (NZ) about their park experiences. Three themes were developed illustrating how space, place and people matter when choosing whether to play: Spaces can enable interconnected Families, Place in Society and Environmental Safety and Accessibility . A NZ model of wellbeing (Te Pae Māhutonga model) was used to discuss the findings and highlight how access to play intersects with wellbeing elements of cultural identity, design, equity, and self-determination. Disabled children and their families continue to face significant physical and social barriers, often requiring extra effort to access parks. As microcosms of society, parks reflect broader issues of inclusion, ableism, and exclusion. Our research provides rich, transferable insights into the lived experiences of disabled children and families in NZ. Safe, inclusive play spaces are important for wellbeing, and policymakers must strengthen efforts to ensure accessibility for all.