Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails

Picnic Units

A picnic unit is a part of a picnic area that contains one or more constructed features used for picnics by an individual or a group. Each picnic unit may be used separately from other parties using the recreation site. All site furnishings and constructed features that are provided in a picnic unit must meet the applicable FSORAG requirements. The minimum size of a picnic unit is determined by the required clear space around each feature and the type and number of provided constructed features

Ensure all pedestrian routes that are provided in a picnic area meet outdoor recreation access route standards. Use an outdoor recreation access route to connect all features within each picnic unit. Usually, the slope, surface, and size requirements for the overlapping or adjacent clear spaces of the unit's constructed features within a picnic unit eliminate the need for separate outdoor recreation access routes within the unit. When features are spread apart to limit the amount of change to the natural setting, provide an outdoor recreation access route to connect the features.

If a picnic area only has one or two picnic units, connect all units with an outdoor recreation access route to the area's common use features, such as toilets, showers, water hydrants, garbage receptacles, parking spaces, and beach access routes. If a recreation site has more than two picnic units, use an outdoor recreation access route to connect at least 20 percent of the units (but never less than two) to the common use features at the site. For example, in a picnic area with 20 units, all site furnishings (tables, grills, etc.) must be accessible, and a minimum of four picnic units must be connected by an outdoor recreation access route to the area's other common use features.

When designing picnic areas, remember locating 20 percent of the units on an outdoor recreation access route is only a minimum requirement. Connect as many units with an outdoor recreation access route to the major features of the site as practicable, given the specific natural site constraints, the level of site development, and other considerations.

FSORAG recognizes that the natural terrain often presents a real obstacle in the outdoor recreation environment. At existing sites that are being renovated, you may not be able to provide an outdoor recreation access route for all picnic units without affecting the fundamental nature of the picnic area and the recreation opportunity. When an existing picnic area is altered or reconstructed and a condition for an exception prohibits full compliance with a specific technical requirement on part of an outdoor recreation access route, that part of the outdoor recreation access route only has to meet the technical requirement to the extent practicable. When something is changed within an existing picnic facility, but the circulation path isn't altered, the path doesn't have to be brought up to outdoor recreation access route standards. Even though it's not required, these changes almost always provide you the perfect opportunity to bring the paths up to outdoor recreation access route standards and follow the Forest Service policy of universal design.