HomeMy WebLinkAboutMunicipality of Bayham Accessibile Playground ConsultationVersion Date: March 2017
Accessible Playground Consultation
Participating Municipalities:
•Municipality of Southwold
•Municipality of West Elgin
•Municipality of Dutton-Dunwich
•Municipality of Central Elgin
•Town of Aylmer
•Municipality of Bayham
•Municipality of Malahide
Background
The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) was enacted in 2005 with the
overarching goal for making Ontario accessible for people with disabilities by the year 2025.
Under this legislation, an accessible Ontario is to be achieved through the development,
implementation and enforcement of accessibility standards.
Accessibility features in the exterior environment will be regulated primarily through the
Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (O. Reg 191/11). It should be noted that there are
a few areas of the exterior public realm currently regulated by Ontario’s Building Code, such as
routes within a site to barrier-free entrances, passenger loading zones and parking lots with
barrier free parking.
Accessibility of buildings will continue to be regulated through Ontario’s Building Code.
Ontario’s Building Code was updated in 2015 to provide elements within buildings. It should be
noted that the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation regulates some building elements
associated with providing access to service, such as service counters, fixed queuing lines and
seating in waiting areas, whether these elements are indoors or outdoors.
The Standard requires municipalities to consult with people with disabilities in certain
circumstances to develop design solutions that reflect local conditions and meet the needs of
all users. Consultation is required when a municipality plans to construct or redevelop:
•Exterior paths of travel
•Recreational trails
•Outdoor play spaces
•Accessible on-street parking
There is no one-size-fits-all way to consult people with disabilities. The way you consult and
how you determine the final design details is up to your municipality.
Version Date: March 2017
Purpose
The purpose of this document is to provide municipalities with a guideline when developing or
redeveloping an outdoor play space.
Accessible outdoor play spaces feature firm and stable surfaces that can support mobility aids
and absorb the shock of a fall to help prevent injuries, as well as features that stimulate all
senses – like a water play area or sandbox to enjoy through touch, or a sound area with chimes
and other noise makers which can be enjoyed through hearing. They also incorporate active
play components that allow children of all abilities to experience climbing, sliding and swinging.
Before developing a new outdoor play space or redeveloping an existing one, a municipality is
required to consult with the public and people with disabilities on the needs of children and
their caregivers with a variety of disabilities. Municipalities must also consult with their
Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC).
The consultation process must address requirements for accessible play spaces for children and
caregivers with various disabilities including, but not limited to, sensory and active play
components.
Consultation Process
The following individuals were consulted in the development of this document.
1. Consult with local municipal parks and recreation staff.
2. Consult with Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee
3. Online Survey – to allow the public to provide input into the document
Accessible Playgrounds
The following are a list of elements that a municipality should incorporate into an outdoor play
space. The following elements have been included in this document as a result of the
consultation process listed above.
The recommendations in this document are applicable to new or redeveloped playgrounds
only. The intention is not to retrofit existing playground structures.
1. Accessibility Features
Municipalities shall incorporate accessibility features, such as sensory and active play
components into the design of outdoor play spaces. These should address the needs of
children and caregivers with various disabilities.
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Structures should be designed to challenge users of all abilities in a variety of ways, and allow
for self-directed play. Structures should be intuitive and simple to understand and use. Include
ramps and/or transfer systems to some of the elevated play components.
Offer varied play experiences by providing a variety of play components, opportunities and
experiences (e.g., cognitive, problem solving, physical play, graduated challenge, balance and
coordination, body control, sliding, spinning, swinging, bouncing, tactile, sensory, etc.)
Integrate play areas that invite engagement between children of diverse abilities.
• A minimum of 20% of features incorporated shall be accessible.
Examples of accessible features:
- Play counters
- Crawl tubes/tunnels
- Sand tables
- Ramps connecting components
- Play Panels
• In addition, municipalities shall ensure there is one accessible swing available
Examples of accessible swings:
• Arch swing
• Inclusive Swing Seat
2. Surfaces
Surfaces must be firm and stable, with characteristics to reduce impact and injuries.
Use surfacing that accommodates anyone using a mobility device, such as a cane, walker,
wheelchair or scooter.
Surfacing is one of the most significant considerations, given its importance to facilitating easy
access to play equipment and experiences, travel to/from and throughout the play area, and
safety. It can also be the most costly component of the installation, making accessible play
spaces more expensive than traditional playgrounds.
Examples of accessible surface materials:
• Engineered Wood Fiber
Processed wood ground to a fibrous consistency, randomly sized. Free of hazardous
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substances. Not to be confused with wood chips.
• Poured-In-Place
Poured-in-place is a seamless synthetic surface that is formed with a chemical binder
and rubber filler.
• Tiles
Synthetic tiles and mats are a combination of a chemical binder and rubber filler.
Intertwining strands create a “trampoline effect” that cushions falls.
• Wood Chips/Bark Mulch
Bark mulch comes from urban tree management and landscaping programs. Bark mulch
may contain twigs and leaves. Wood chips generally do not contain twigs or leaves.
Wood sources should be checked prior to chipping for toxins or allergens.
3. Seating areas
Consider providing at least one accessible seating area so that a caregiver with a disability can
comfortably observe their child. Install benches with backs and armrests that are strategically
placed throughout and surrounding the space, preferably in a shaded area.
Design considerations – A seating area with a bench should extend approximately 1500 mm
(60”) beyond the end of the bench, and be a minimum of 1220 mm (48”) deep, to
accommodate an individual using a mobility device.
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4. Path of travel
Ensure that there are accessible routes at least 1500 mm (60”) wide, connecting the playground
with access elements such as sidewalks and parking lots. Providing accessible walkways will also
help children and caregivers with disabilities move into the play areas and between play
equipment.
Design requirement – Clear width: Minimum 1500 mm (60”).
Surface: Firm, stable and slip resistant.
Slope of any pathway must meet the Standards minimum requirement for exterior paths of
travel. Pathways to and throughout the play space should provide circulation/access to all
spaces/equipment.
Sidewalk Slopes
Design requirement – Running slope: no steeper than 1:20 (5%).
Exception: sidewalk beside a roadway can be steeper than 1:20 (5%), but must not be steeper
than the slope of the adjacent roadway.
Recreational Trail Slopes
Design requirement – Gentle running slopes are recommended, to minimize the amount of
strength and stamina required to use the trail.
Entry Points
Entry points into play spaces should be a minimum of 1000 mm (39”) to allow a mobility device
to gain entry, while excluding larger vehicles not considered appropriate for this purpose. The
surface of an entry point should be firm stable and slip resistant.
5. Portable Washrooms
If providing portable washrooms, ensure that 20% or 1 washroom is accessible.
6. Splash Pads
Ensure that the distance between splash pad features is a minimum of 1220 mm (48”). Colour
contrast should be considered on the water features themselves, as well as the surrounding
area. The components themselves should have a variety of water pressures to allow for
participation by children with disabilities.
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Example – A ground level “bubbler” will allow a child who uses a wheelchair to participate in
the splash pad experience.
7. Other Considerations
• Choose a geographically accessible location within the community. It should be a space
that meets the needs of the community.
• Design with existing site characteristics to help minimize the cost of redevelopment.
• Ensure sufficient parking to accommodate users, whether on-site or on-street.
• Ensure that the accessible play structures are integrated into the plan for the entire site.
• Ensure fencing does not increase barriers. Instead it should provide a sense of comfort
for both children and caregivers.
• Provide sight lines for supervision.
• Aim to minimize distance from park entry or parking lot to play space.
• Where possible, consider providing accessible washrooms near the play space.