At Rosedale School in Austin, TX, universal design isn’t just about compliance—it’s about creating a campus where every student, regardless of ability, can learn, play, and thrive with dignity. Built with extensive parent, teacher, and community involvement, this space was created specifically for children with complex physical and cognitive disabilities. Rosedale features wide hallways, sensory-friendly spaces, accessible restrooms and classrooms, and a universally designed playground that supports all forms of mobility and engagement. The campus even includes a medical clinic open to the wider community—positioning the school as a true community hub.
What’s working at Rosedale can and should be adapted to community parks. The lessons learned from Rosedale’s campus design—especially its playground and community-facing features—offer actionable insights for parks professionals looking to design truly inclusive green spaces that support physical, sensory, and cognitive diversity. Rosedale functions like a micro-community. It offers lessons in how thoughtful design can serve diverse needs in shared spaces—just like a great park should.
This session explores how Rosedale’s inclusive design supports equitable access to education, health, and play—and how its principles can be applied beyond school walls. The impact of this project has gone further than the classroom, as this project has set a precedent for future schools. The district has since incorporated universal design standards into future bond programs. Attendees will learn how the design process centered diverse needs, how the inclusive playground serves both students and neighbors, and how this model as well as its implemented design strategies can be replicated in parks and public spaces across the country to foster belonging, connection, and shared ownership of inclusive environments.
