Sometimes, all it takes is one family’s vision to launch an effort that boosts an entire community. That’s the backstory for the Julia’s Junction playground.
Located in West Kelowna, Canada, Julia’s Junction has since become a destination play space for families across the Central Okanagan and throughout British Columbia. Situated in Westbank Town Centre Park, the fully accessible playground reflects Canada’s long-standing commitment to public spaces that welcome people of all abilities and ages, and the power of community.
The project began when the Grassmick family dreamt of creating a space where their daughter, Julia, could participate in play without barriers. Julia suffered a spinal cord injury as a toddler and now uses a wheelchair full-time. The Grassmicks also have a son who lives with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
The City of West Kelowna, in British Columbia, Canada, partnered with community supporters to transform that vision into a municipal capital project grounded in universal design, inclusive infrastructure, and equitable access to recreation. The result is one of the Canadian province’s most comprehensive inclusive play spaces, designed to meet physical, sensory, social and cognitive needs.
At the heart of the playground is an emphasis on ground-level activities. Instead of relying on large, elevated play structures, the layout allows for cross-generational use, with children and caregivers who use mobility devices to navigate the entire site with ease.
The play space features Playworld playground equipment that supports a variety of developmental needs, including motion play, music play, tactile engagement and graduated climbing challenges. Julia’s Junction’s universal, sensory-rich design delivers endless multigenerational recreational experiences, including opportunities to spin, swing and slide.
For example, the Aeroglider allows multiple users to glide and play together while standing or seated, and the massive Mighty Descent slide encourages visitors of every age and ability level to share in cross-generational fun as they race down its signature slope together. Ground-level sensory panels provide additional tactile and auditory stimulation, while the Cozy Cocoon provides an enclosed space for individuals to escape when feeling overstimulated. Another exciting feature is the NEOS® 360, which provides 360 degrees of head-spinning, body-twisting, heart-pounding, competitive fun. NEOS 360 is a game everyone can play, regardless of age or ability. It is one of the most inclusive, cross-generational commercial playground equipment pieces available.
At Julia’s Junction, barrier-free, unitary, Poured-In-Place (PIP) surfacing creates continuous pathways throughout the playground. The fully fenced perimeter offers added peace of mind for families of children who may be prone to running or wandering. Accessible washrooms are available, as well as ADA-compliant picnic tables located in the middle of the fenced play space area, giving caregivers a comfortable and nearby spot to gather while their loved ones enjoy the play equipment. On-site accessible parking, and proximity to an adjacent spray park position the playground as a complete, cross-generational, inclusive community destination.
The play space also reflects the priorities seen across Canadian municipalities, where inclusive recreation is viewed as an essential public service rather than an optional feature. Projects like Julia’s Junction help ensure children, teenagers, parents, grandparents, and caregivers can all play side by side or together.
As communities continue to invest in accessible outdoor infrastructure, Julia’s Junction stands as a practical example of how purpose-built equipment and intentional planning can transform a neighbourhood park into an intergenerational destination that reflects the values of inclusivity and belonging.
To begin your cross-generational, inclusive play story, contact our Playworld Canadian team in your province.
