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Accessible Play Areas - A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas

Alterations

The play area guidelines apply to alterations made to existing play areas that affect, or could affect, the usability of the play area.  Examples include removing a climbing play component and replacing it with a spring rocker, or changing the ground surfacing.

Alterations provide an opportunity to improve access to existing play areas.  Where play components are altered and the ground surface is not, the ground surface does not have to comply with the ASTM F 1951-99 standard for accessible surfaces unless the cost of providing an accessible surface is less than 20 percent of the cost of the alterations to the play components.

If the entire ground surface of an existing play area is replaced, the new ground surface must provide an accessible route to connect the required number and types of play components.  Normal maintenance activities such as replacing worn ropes or topping off ground surfaces are not considered alterations.

If play components are relocated in an existing play area to create safe use zones, the guidelines do not apply, provided that the ground surface is not changed or extended for more than one use zone.  Replacing the entire ground surface does not require the addition of more play components.

photo of a play area with composite structure and 2 spring riders

This play area was altered by adding two spring rockers (background).  The seat of at least one spring rocker is between 11 inches (280 mm) and 24 inches (610 mm) maximum, and clear floor or ground space and maneuvering space is provided.  If the ground surface is replaced in the future, an accessible route would have to be provided to the spring rocker.

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