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CITY OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA
REPORT TO THE CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Report: Perimeter Fence for Playgrounds
1. Motion to provide direction to guide prioritization of exploring and/or implementing perimeter fencing around playground(s) to improve safety and inclusivity.
COUNCIL ACTION
Item Type: Action Item
Approved for February 10, 2026 calendar
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This report is a continuation of Council’s discussions to explore inclusive play environments for children and adults of all ages and abilities. Approved by City Council in 2016 and opening to the public in 2019, the all-inclusive playground at Maple Park embodies CSP’s vision to move beyond modern ADA compliance and offers play opportunities for children and adults who experience a wide range of mental, physical, and social challenges, while also balancing the diverse wants and needs of the community.
CSP staff hosted an informational workshop on inclusive playgrounds on November 20, 2025, aimed at better informing staff and the community about inclusive design considerations and opportunities for play spaces, as well as to hear what the community wants in terms of inclusive park and playground amenities. Feedback from the workshop, along with direct calls and emails to the Department, have highlighted a primary concern regarding elopement or wandering among children – particularly autistic children – which can result in potential harm or injury.
Based on feedback from the workshop, staff is seeking to take critical precautionary actions to reduce chances of wandering-related harm or injury to children with disabilities by seeking directions to implement playground improvements to fully enclose certain playgrounds with 4-foot fencing. The improvements would create a safer play space that allows children and families to comfortably explore inclusive playgrounds, while enabling parents to better monitor exit-seeking behavior and reduce the risks associated with wandering or elopement.
Staff has received rough estimates for fencing three playgrounds, including Maple Park, Montrose Park, and Pelanconi Park, which ranged from $110,000 to $121,000 each. 9a2
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RECOMMENDATION
That the City Council pass a motion to provide direction on whether playgrounds should be fenced and if so, which one(s). Based on Council directions, staff will budget for the project as part of the FY 2026-2027 budget process.
ANALYSIS
In an ongoing effort by the Community Services & Parks Department (CSP) to provide safe recreational opportunities, facilities, and amenities, CSP is seeking the Council’s direction regarding playground fencing to improve safety and inclusivity.
On March 29, 2016, City Council approved a Strategic Plan for the use of Development Impact Fees (DIF). Among the projects identified for the Strategic Plan was an all- inclusive playground at Maple Park. As part of the Council discussion on the Development Impact Fee Strategic Plan, Council suggested that staff work with Shane’s Inspiration (SI) – currently named Inclusion Matters (IM) – to develop the design for the all-inclusive playground at Maple Park.
In 2019, the Maple Park all-inclusive playground opened and was Glendale’s first all- inclusive playground developed in partnership with SI (now IM). The inclusive play equipment allows children with disabilities and able-bodied children to play together, creating a truly integrated play environment where compassion and acceptance flourish.
These free, outdoor inclusive play environments are age-appropriate and feature safe, state-of-the-art, sensory-rich structures that encourage engagement among children with developmental disabilities such as autism, Down syndrome, and cerebral palsy.
The playground is a child’s classroom, where they learn to negotiate while waiting for the slide and communicate as they play pirates on the bridge. Most importantly – they learn to trust themselves and others by interacting physically, emotionally and socially with their peers. The design also features modern play equipment with enhanced accessibility, expanded sensory and imaginative play opportunities, and a new poured- in-place safety surface. Integrated shade structures also improve comfort and usability for park visitors.
In an effort to better understand the inclusivity needs of residents, CSP hosted a community workshop on November 20, 2025, titled, “Inclusion of All Sizes: Inclusive Design Strategies for Every Space, Every Budget.” Based on feedback received from the workshop, and calls the Department has received from community members directly, a primary concern related to autism and elopement. With nearly half of individuals with autism prone to wandering or bolting (eloping) from safety – often to escape sensory overload or to seek desirable items or activities – open playgrounds can pose safety risks, such as traffic accidents or drowning. Accordingly, parents and concerned community members are seeking proactive prevention with safety tools, like playground fencing with childproof or out-of-reach latches, to provide additional safety to children that tend to elope.
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Basic fence specifications include 4-foot-high fencing to maintain visibility; approximately 400 linear feet of fencing per playground; nominal 8-foot-high fence panels; two 4-foot-wide pedestrian gates per playground for access; and 3"SQ x 12GA x 7'L posts with an 8"W x 36"W concrete footing (price also includes engineering stamps and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to ensure footings are clear of any utilities). Maple Park – $121,000
Montrose Park – $110,000
Pelanconi Park – $121,000
STAKEHOLDERS/OUTREACH
On November 20, 2025, staff hosted an Inclusive Playground Informational Workshop called, “Inclusion of All Sizes: Inclusive Design Strategies for Every Space, Every Budget.” The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Ariel Mansholt, an occupational therapist with Landscape Structures, at the Pacific Park Community Center’s Sycamore Room.
This workshop was to help the City and the public better understand inclusive design constraints and opportunities for playgrounds and to hear from community as to their wants in terms of inclusive park and playground amenities.
The following is a summary of the priorities heard from the community:
1. Safety & Controlled Access
Fully enclosed playgrounds with fencing and gated access points. Single access points are most desired, but multiple access points are acceptable so long as they are gated.
Access points to the playground should have self-closing doors, and where allowable, be equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent children from wandering (such as the child-resistant lock-and-latch mechanisms used around pool safety fencing).
Avoid panic bars or push bars that children can easily use to exit.
2. Accessibility & Facilities
ADA-accessible restrooms, ideally larger family restrooms that allow a caregiver to assist comfortably, that are equipped with a table or bench and changing areas that accommodate taller children.
ADA parking located closer to playground entrances for safer, easier access.
3. Inclusive Play Features
Equipment that possibly aligns with occupational therapy (OT) activities, allowing the playground to serve as an outdoor OT-friendly environment. This allows for the parent and child to occasionally conduct their OT training in a park setting and get outside the confines of their normal or routine environment and setting. Sensory-rich features, including water play, musical and percussion elements, and interactive components like buttons or tasks that reveal lighted elements. Spinning or motion-based elements (e.g., single spinning seats) that many children find soothing.
4. Safe Surfacing
Preference is for pour-in-place rubberized surfacing.
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Avoid materials such as wood chips or sand, as some children may attempt to ingest them.
5. Communication Supports
Install symbol communication panels to assist non-verbal or limited-verbal children in navigating play and expressing needs.
6. Program & Marketing Inclusion
Add language to program descriptions and flyers indicating activities are “sensory-friendly” to reassure families that the environment is welcoming, intentional, and accommodating.
Identify programs and activities on the department’s calendar or City’s calendar that calls out “sensory friendly” to inform parents that it is acceptable and encouraged for them to bring their children to that event and that event has made considerations for their children as part of the planning process.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Based upon Council’s direction, staff would appropriate the funds necessary as part of the FY 2026-2027 budget process to move forward with implementing perimeter fencing at the specific park(s) directed by Council.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW (CEQA/NEPA)
The activity under consideration is categorically exempt either as a Class 1 project pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15301, which consists, among other things, of minor alterations to existing public facilities; or, in the alternative, as a Class 3 project pursuant to 15303, which consists, among other things, of the construction and location of limited numbers of new, small facilities or structures. In any event, it can be seen with certainty that there is no possibility that the activity in question may have a significant effect on the environment; thus, it is exempt from CEQA pursuant to CEQA Guidelines section 15061(b)(3).
CAMPAIGN DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Alternative 1: The City Council may consider any other alternative not proposed by staff.
ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION
Submitted by:
Onnig Bulanikian, Director of Community Services & Parks Prepared by:
Joseph Gonzalez , Park Planner
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Approved by:
Roubik R. Golanian, P.E., City Manager
EXHIBITS/ATTACHMENTS
None.