Unusual equipment, accessible for all ages and abilities, challenging for big kids and easy for little ones... music stations, no-mud, part shade, free parking and full restroom... It's the West Gray Rec Center Playground Without Limits at the Metropolitan Multi-Service Center.
This is one of my favorite Houston playgrounds… and I've been trying to pinpoint exactly why. It's off a busy street, at the West Gray Rec Center, and doesn't have trees or a beautiful view. The part shade is only from canopies and there is no splashpad for the summer.
But on our last visit, as I watched my kid crawl up the ramps with his little Matchbox cars… I figured it out. It's the sides.
Not only is the playground equipment extraordinary, but it was built to exceeds ADA requirements so that all children can play together in one place. Anyone can walk, crawl or roll up the equipment... and the side railings go all the way to the base... so kids cannot slip out. Even across the bridges, the railings keep kids on the equipment.
The littlest kids can crawl up, play on the music stations, cross the bridges, and not slip through the cracks.
The play structure is really big, with monkey bars, lots of slides, lilipad bridges, balance beam and lots and lots of music stations. The roller slide is one of our favorites… with lots of pipes that roll you down to the bottom.
The one trick with the West Gray Rec Center Playground Without Limitis is that it's hard to watch from the ground.
From the picnic tables, you can't see the full playground. The best way to supervise lots of kids is to walk up the equipment (which, remember, is easy!) and watch from up high.
This is not a sit-back-and-relax way to watch the kids, but from the top I can see all my kids at all corners of the park. From the family swing to the slides to the toddler play area.
The restrooms in the West Gray Rec Center are open, with the building is open. Parking is free and easy (and I've only seen it full during early-voting).
Stop by to see how you like this playground-without-limits!
Click the address for the map: 1475 West Gray, Houston, TX 77019
Denise Alexander says
Hi. Appreciate your article on playgrounds for all, but I am interested in public GARDENS in Houston, or very nearby, that have more accessibility than the norm, and possibly even a garden designed around the principles of Universal Design. A Houston Chronicle article (mostly about Memorial Park) I found online said that Houston, despite its diversity, is slow making its way along this path, e.g., a path toward planning for inclusive diversity that is engaging and broadly defined—young and old; abled and disabled; black, white, brown—in public gardens or parks. But my focus is really on the disabled of any age or race—deaf, blind, cognitively impaired, restricted to a wheelchair, using a walker...—especially now that healing gardens have begun popping up in many medical centers and parks across the country. Have you any ideas that could help in my search? Thank you.
Jill Jarvis says
Denise - I just saw this comment. Let me look into it! Jill
Jill Jarvis says
Denise - You are right about this being a difficult search! I did my best to start a list, but I am hoping to add to it with parent feedback. Go here to see the start... but let me know how you would edit it: https://www.jillbjarvis.com/accessible-trails-gardens-and-fishing-sites-around-houston/ Jill
Adriel Mares says
Denise - My name is Adriel Mares! Im a Recreation Specialist for the Metropolitan Multiservice Center! I loved reading your comment🤗. If you’re still interested in being involved with people with disabilities, you can follow us at Houston Adapted Sports Club on Facebook! You will
Be able to see what we do day to day at our facility.
Thank you,
Adriel Mares
Recreation Specialist