Landscape Architect Articles

Today's Playgrounds03-01-03 | News

Today’s Playgrounds

Accessible to Everyone

By Jennifer Beauvais

Playgrounds built since 2001 are required to have specified numbers of accessible ground, elevated and transfer components for physically disabled children. For example, should your play structure have 19 or fewer elevated components, 50% of them must be connected to transfer systems. PHOTO COURTESY OF closetheloop, LLC

The ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines) developed new regulations to insure that disabled children are able to interact socially and physically at public playgrounds. These guidelines are intended for newly built or altered playgrounds, and indicate what accessibility is necessary, and how to achieve it. These guidelines cover playgrounds built at schools, parks, child care facilities (except those based in a private home), and other facilities subject to the ADA.

Since the number of ramps and transfer points are dependent on how many components and types of play equipment make up a play structure, the worksheet on the adjacent page has been provided to help you plan your play structure according to ADA regulations.

For more details on planning a playground according to ADA requirements, see section 15.6 of the ADAAG.

205,850 playground equipment injuries were treated in Emergency Rooms in 1999. Why so many? According to ProbeResearch.com, a key factor in these injuries is that many children are playing on equipment that is not designed for their age group, especially children 0-4 playing on equipment made for children ages 5-12. Therefore, steps and railings are too far apart or require coordination or strength the children have not yet developed. This often results in a trip or fall.