Encompass Park & Encompass Little Library
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Encompass Park & Encompass Little Library stands out as a beautifully designed, brand-new (as of March 2025) outdoor playground with a unique focus on universal accessibility. It offers a safe, fenced environment where children of all physical abilities, from crawlers to those in wheelchairs, can play together. Its interactive musical elements and general pristine condition make it a highly recommended, inclusive family destination, though parents should prepare for limited shade during warmer months.
Key Highlights
- ✓Brand new, exceptionally clean, and well-maintained facilities (visited March 2025).
- ✓Main play structure is fully fenced with at least two gates, providing an added layer of safety from the parking lot.
- ✓Features intentional and universal design, making it accessible for children and caregivers of all physical abilities, including crawlers and those in wheelchairs.
- ✓Interactive musical elements (giant xylophones/glockenspiel) in a corner, described as soothing and intact.
- ✓The musical area is covered by a 'floating' canvas(?) canopy, offering shade on sunny days.
- ✓Includes a built-in ping pong table.
- ✓Numerous benches strategically placed around the play area for caregivers.
- ✓Adjacent to a large open field suitable for playing games and sports.
- ✓Separate, fenced area near the parking lot for dogs.
- ✓Offers 3 distinct play structures and swings (including those accessible for wheelchairs).
Standout Features
- ⭐Universal design ensuring accessibility for diverse physical abilities (ramps, wheelchair swings).
- ⭐Interactive musical instruments (xylophones, glockenspiel) under a shade canopy.
- ⭐Full fencing around the main play area with multiple gates, separating it from the parking lot.
- ⭐A good number of benches for parent seating within the play area.
- ⭐Dedicated fenced dog area near parking.
- ⭐Built-in ping pong table for additional activity.
- ⭐Adjacent large field for open play and sports.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →**Shade Preparation:** During warmer months, bring hats, sunscreen, and plenty of water, as overall shade is limited (except for the musical instrument area).
- →**Navigation:** Use GPS to find the park, as it is situated deep within a residential neighborhood and not easily visible from main roads.
- →**Ping Pong:** If you wish to use the ping pong table, remember to bring your own paddles and ball.
- →**Dog Owners:** Utilize the separate fenced dog area near the parking lot if you bring your furry friend.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Very limited amount of overall shade for both assisted individuals and staff, especially a concern for warmer summer months (excluding the canopy over the musical area).
- ⚠Located deep within a neighborhood, making it difficult to stumble upon accidentally (requires GPS navigation).
Price & Value
This appears to be a free public park. The value is exceptionally high given its brand-new condition, excellent design, comprehensive accessibility features, and diverse activities, all available at no cost.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •Intentional and universal design for kids and caregivers of all abilities.
- •Extensive use of ramps to allow access for crawlers and wheelchairs to much of the play structure.
- •Swings designed for wheelchair mounting.
- •The majority of the parking lot is reserved for handicap spaces.
- •Park built specifically with special needs individuals in mind.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not mentioned in reviews. As a public park, outside food and drinks are typically permitted, but no specific details are provided.
🚗Parking Info
- •Decent parking area available.
- •The majority of the parking lot is reserved for handicap spaces.
- •A fenced dog area is located near the parking lot.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific crowd level information provided in the reviews, suggesting it may not be excessively crowded at the times reviewers visited (March 2025). As a neighborhood park, anticipate potential moderate crowds during after-school hours and weekends.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Main play structure surrounded by a secure fence with at least two gates, creating a barrier from the parking lot.
- •Everything appears brand new, clean, and intact (as of March 2025), reducing hazards from wear and tear.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Peak sun hours on hot summer days, unless you are prepared for minimal shade and are able to limit playtime.
- • If you strictly prefer parks with extensive natural shade cover.
Pricing/Package/Events
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Clean and well-maintained facilities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 6 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Beth Reardon
a month agoThis is a beautiful, excellently well-designed playground! It seems BRAND NEW (we visited in March of 2025)-- everything is clean and perfect. The main play structure is surrounded by a fence with 2 gates (I think). On top of that, near the parking lot there is an addition area, also fenced with a gate, that seems to be for dogs to hang out/play. I liked it mostly for the added layer of fence and gate before the parking lot! The intentional and universal design of this playground makes it accessible for kids and caregivers of all different abilities! Because it works to be used by kids of varying physical abilities, this playground has many features that I've rarely, if ever, seen at other parks. My preschooler was able to run around and tackle almost every element of the play structures, but what was really awesome was that my little one, still a crawler, was also able to access much of the play structure due to the use of ramps. There are a good number of benches around the play area for caregivers, which is great! A great area in the corner features beautiful interactive musical elements (giant xylophones/glockenspiel)-- all parts were, as of our visit, intact! The sounds of these instruments is lovely; not too loud, and very soothing. That area is covered with a 'floating' canvas(?) canopy, which would be great on a blazing summer day. There is also a built-in ping pong table! Wonderful park. You'd never stumble upon it randomly, it is deep in a neighborhood. Right next to it is a huge field for playing games and sports. Highly recommend!
Rich Watrous
a year agoThis great little park has a decent parking area. It is relatively a new location built with special needs individuals in mind. We enjoyed the musical type interactive sculptures they installed. Dr Bruce and his friend enjoyed creating music sounds. He also had a lengthy time on the swings. My only concern in warmer months this summer will be the very limited amount of shade for both assisted individuals and staff. It will be very warm on future summer visits.
Sarah Sangermano
a month agoGreat place for kids of all ages. Has a fenced in area and is updated! Lacks shade but has several benches for adults to sit on within playground.
perla poston
2 years agoIt’s so nice to see inclusion for children who need wheelchairs. The majority of the parking lot is reserved for handicap only, and there are ramps/swings for wheel chairs to mount. This is a great place for special needs kids and ambulatory kids to play together with no one being left out. What a great contribution to our neighborhood!
david we
10 months agoGreat playground. Very clean and lots to do. Great for all ages with 3 play structures, swings and music toys.
Contact Information
VH6G+C5, North Providence, RI 02904, USA
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