Ryan Gray Playground for All Children
Hillcrest Elementary, Lawrence, KS
Historic fully accessible community playground at Hillcrest Elementary with a circular layout, shared play structures, Braille-inclusive signage, and new adjacent shade seating.
The new shade pavilion sits beside the accessible playground.
Photo 1 of 4. The new shade pavilion sits beside the accessible playground.
Editorial notes
What stands out
One of the most important inclusive-play stops in Kansas: smaller than a giant destination park, but historically significant and meaningfully designed for shared access.
Know Before You Go
- Weather
- Outdoor visit; comfort depends on season and school-site conditions.
- Bring
- Water
- Bring
- Sun protection for uncovered areas
- Bring
- Any mobility or communication supports your child already uses
What to Expect
Play profile
- Toddlers
- Preschoolers
- Big kids
- Mixed ages
Visit amenities
- Shade
- Seating
- Picnic tables
- Partial shade
- Visit type
- Purposeful neighborhood stop
Read more about this location
Ryan Gray Playground for All Children is a landmark accessible playground in Lawrence and is widely described as the first fully accessible playground in Kansas. The playground sits at Hillcrest Elementary and uses a circular layout intended to support children playing together rather than apart. Publicly available descriptions confirm accessible design, Braille directions on signs and panels, and a 2023 shade pavilion with picnic seating beside the play area. It is a strong fit for families looking for a meaningful local inclusive-play stop with school-community roots.
Accessibility
Summary
Public descriptions identify this as a fully accessible playground.
Known Features
Fully accessible community playground
Known Features
Circular layout that supports shared play
Known Features
Braille directions on signs and panels
Known Features
Adjacent shade pavilion with seating
Considerations
Detailed current equipment inventory was not clearly published on the sources reviewed.
Considerations
Surfacing type was not explicitly confirmed in the sources reviewed.
Mobility features
Ground-level play
These details summarize published sources and dated reports. They are not an ADA inspection or an individualized accessibility assessment.
Location
1045 Hilltop Dr
Lawrence, KS, 66044
Other options nearby
Free city splash pad at Lyons Park with interactive water features and spray jets for warm-weather sensory play.
Sources & Updates
Source-checked Apr 11, 2026 against 3 public sources
View source and update details
- Last check on record
- Apr 11, 2026
- Sources reviewed
- 3 public sources
Public sources
- eXplore Lawrence listingexplorelawrence.com
Tourism listing confirms the site and address.
Checked: name, address, city, general operating status
Strong accessibility-specific source.
Checked: fully accessible status, first fully accessible playground in Kansas, Braille signage, address
- KU Designbuild Ryan Gray Playground Paviliondesignbuild.ku.edu
Confirms the adjacent pavilion and provides current venue imagery.
Checked: location, 2023 shade pavilion, playground context, images
What changed
April 11, 2026
Created listing from Lawrence tourism and KU accessibility/design sources.
Accessibility details reflect available public information and dated reports, not an ADA inspection.