Irvine’s new space-themed playground is universal in more ways than one

Irvine introduced its first “universal” playground Thursday, Nov. 14, at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park.

The wheelchair-accessible play area is designed as an inclusive space for all residents, regardless of ability.

Among its unique features, the outer space-themed playground includes adaptive swings, a sensory garden and Bankshot basketball, which the brand describes as mini golf but with a basketball. The Bankshot court features an array of creatively angled backboards of various shapes and sizes.

State Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris secured $2.8 million in state funding to improve the playground by adding equipment inclusive to people of all abilities and constructing adjacent park features for parents and caregivers, such as a new family restroom with an adult changing area.

The 7.9-acre park is home to the Sweet Shade Ability Center, where Irvine’s City Disability Services program offers activities for individuals with sensory, physical or cognitive disabilities, and their family members.

The Bankshot Basketball court during the opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The court has creatively angled, curved, and uniquely configured basketball backboards. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Katherine Clayton keeps an eye on her son, Joshua Clayton, 11, as he rides down a slide during the opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sean Knappe gives a thumbs up to his mother as he plays on the Bankshot Basketball court during the opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The court has creatively angled, curved, and uniquely configured basketball backboards. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Allie Huang, 5, climbs on ropes on the refurbished portion of the new universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Mayor Farrah Khan takes shoots hoops at the Bankshot Basketball court during the opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The court has creatively angled, curved, and uniquely configured basketball backboards. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Officials cut a ribbon during the opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Bathrooms feature adult changing tables at the new universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Sean Knappe shoots hoops at the Bankshot Basketball court during the opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The court has creatively angled, curved, and uniquely configured basketball backboards. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)

Ivy Xu rides a double swing with Style Gu, 1, during the opening of the universal playground at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine, CA, on Thursday, Nov. 14, 2024. The new park is wheelchair accessible and includes multigenerational play components for people with disabilities of all ages. Features include, adaptive swings, Bankshot Basketball, a sensory garden, and an adjacent restroom with an adult changing area. (Photo by Jeff Gritchen, Orange County Register/SCNG)