Design Considerations For Accessible Parks & Trails Measuring Up: Campbell River 2008 Dave Calver Consulting City of Campbell River Legacies Now: Measuring Up Design Guidelines
Design Considerations for Accessible Parks & Trails This booklet contains guidelines to be used towards creating universally accessible environments within the City of Campbell River s park and trail areas. The design considerations and recommendations will be presented in broad categories under corresponding headings. These guidelines are intended to be used to create discussions and open conversations within the Parks planning and Engineering departments to raise awareness around accessibility challenges but are not intended to be an exhaustive explanation or how to book for creating universally accessible environments. Accessibility projects should always be undertaken with the assistance and input of qualified architects and accessibility consultants. If you have any questions regarding the content and design considerations contained within this publication please do not hesitate to contact the author at: Dave Calver Consulting Black Creek, BC V9J1G2 T. 250.337.2148 E. decalver@yahoo.com Design Guidelines 2
Glossary Cane detectable: any texture or object that can be detected by a long white cane Color contrast: a significant contrast in color between the foreground and back background of an element or environment. 70% constrast between foreground and background colors is considered appropriate for individuals with low vision or poor visual acuity Slope: the ratio of rise to run of an inclined surface Cross slope: a slope that is perpendicular to the direction of travel Running slope: a slope that is in the direction of travel Design Guidelines 3
Disabled Parking Spaces Principles Disabled parking spaces shall ensure parking spaces are as close to building or destination as possible ensure safety and protection from roadway or vehicular routes ensure parking spaces are on level ground provide adequate enough space for wheelchair users to approach &/or for care givers to assist safely Location Disabled parking spaces shall be as close to entrance or facilities as possible/ practical have accompanying access aisles that do not require users to pass behind parked vehicles or in vehicular routes Vertical Signage Vertical signs shall be at least 300 mm wide x 450 mm high; have the center of the sign 1500 mm to 2500 mm off the ground; display the international sign for accessibility Pavement Signs Signs on the pavement shall display the international sign for accessibility; be located in the center of the parking space; be at least 1000 mm in length; be in a contrasting color to the background pavement color Parking Space Surfaces The surface of the designated parking spaces and the accompanying access aisles shall be level, stable, firm and slip resistant; have slopes no greater then 1:50 (2%) in any part of the parking space or access aisle have diagonal markings on the access isle A well marked parking space, but there are no access isles and its dimensions do not meet CSA guidelines Parking Space dimensions A designated parking space shall be a minimum of 2600 mm wide x 4800 mm long; have an accompanying access aisle a minimum of 1500 mm wide along the side and rear of the vehicle Design Guidelines 4
Accessible Washrooms Principles Accessible washrooms shall allow individuals of all abilities and disabilities to use the washroom facilities as independently as possible allow users to wash their hands after using the facilities Location Accessible washrooms shall be located close to the designated disabled parking spaces and other infrastructure (i.e. ball diamonds) be located so that doors and entrances face open areas and public walkways Signage Washrooms shall display the universal sign for access when the washrooms conform to guidelines laid out by the Canadian Standards Association Accessible Washroom flooring Floors in washrooms shall be of a solid, non-slip surface have adequate drainage to prevent pooling of water, while still not having any slope greater then 1:50 (2%) Washroom Dimensions and Specifications Given the significant number of items located within accessible washrooms and the corresponding guidelines for their installation, please refer to the Canadian Standards Association s publication Accessible Design for the Built Environment (2004) for detailed plans and guidelines for accessible bathrooms A well laid out bathroom provides room for wheelchair users to maneuver, turn around and transfer, grabbars for standing up and transfers and faucets that require no hand function or fine motor control. Refer to CSA guidelines for specific measurements and specifications Design Guidelines 5
Trails Principles Trails shall provide access to the widest population possible be adequately signed to provide easy use be of a firm, non slip surface be free of obstructions such as roots, fallen trees, etcetera Location Trails shall begin as close to disabled parking spaces as possible/ practical be designed to utilize the easiest terrain while maximizing access to the parks and natural areas Vertical Signage Vertical signs shall be at least 300 mm wide x 450 mm high; have the center of the sign 1500 mm to 2500 mm off the ground; be connected to the main trail with the same firm, non slip surface as the trail Trail Surfaces Trail surfaces shall be firm, non-slip (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) be graded so as to prevent water from pooling on its surface be a contrasting color to the surrounding environment and vegetation to assist individual with poor visual acuity have a lip or defined edge to provide way finding cues for individuals with visual disabilities. This lip must be significant enough as to be cane detectable Trail Dimensions and Specifications The trail shall be a minimum of 1500 mm wide have running slopes no greater then 1:20 (5%) and cross slopes no greater then 1:50 (2%) have transition strips onto and off of objects (i.e. bridges) that ensure no lips or vertical elevation changes of no more then 3 mm have flat, level surfaces on either side of obstacles (i.e.) bridges or at the top and bottom of slopes that are a minimum of 1500 mm x 1500 mm to ensure resting spaces and places for wheelchairs to turn around not have excessive amounts of twists and turns in its course so as to make way finding easier for individuals with visual deficits This accessible trail provides a firm, non-slip surface, raised trail edges for way finding, a handrail for walkers and a trail surface in a contrasting color to its surroundings Design Guidelines 6
Trail Furniture Principles Trail furniture shall provide park users with places to sit, rest, recreate or satisfy needs such as disposing of trash or drinking water be accessible to the widest population of park and trail users possible be accessible off of the main trail(s) Location The trail furniture shall be located as close to the main trail as possible without intruding on the route of travel have a firm, non-slip surfaced trail to the furniture item when it is not located immediately off the main trail (i.e. picnic tables) be located as close to the designated disabled parking spaces as is possible/ practical Picnic Tables Trail Surface The surface that the picnic table sits on shall be a firm, level, non-slip material (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) be a contrasting color to the surrounding trail and environment be attached to the main trail with a firm, non-slip surfaced trail (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) when it is not immediately adjacent to the accessible route extend a minimum of 2000 mm beyond the table on all sides Picnic Table Dimensions The picnic table shall be a minimum of 750 mm wide have a table top that is minimum of 680 mm off the ground with the top of the table being between 730 860 mm have knee clearances underneath the table of a minimum of 480 mm (ideally on either end of the table) This picnic table requires a larger cement pad that allows 2000 mm of cement on all sides of the table, an accessible trail to the table and a table top extension that allows 480 mm of knee clearance for wheelchair users on either end Design Guidelines 7
Benches Trail Surface The surface that the bench sits on shall be a firm, level, non-slip material (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) be a contrasting color to the surrounding trail and environment be attached to the main trail with a firm, non-slip surfaced trail (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) when it is not immediately adjacent to the accessible route extend a minimum of 850 mm beyond the end of the bench on either end and be a minimum of 1200 mm wide This accessible bench is attached to the trail, provides a space for wheelchair users to sit and enjoy the view as well as turn around Garbage Pales Trail Surface The surface that the garbage pales sit on shall be a firm, level, non-slip material (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) be a contrasting color to the surrounding trail and environment be attached to the main trail with a firm, non-slip surfaced trail (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) when it is not immediately adjacent to the accessible route extend a minimum of 750 mm on either side of the garbage pale and allow a minimum of 750 mm of surface in front of the garbage pale This garbage pail is not attached to the trail making it difficult to impossible for wheelchair users to access Garbage Pale Dimensions The garbage pale shall have the opening no more then 1200 mm off the ground be operable with one hand Drinking Fountains Trail Surface The surface the drinking fountain sits on shall be a firm, level, non-slip material (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) be a contrasting color to the surrounding trail and environment be attached to the main trail with a firm, non-slip surfaced trail (cement, asphalt or chip stone recommended) when it is not immediately adjacent to the accessible route Design Guidelines 8
be a minimum of 750 mm wide and a minimum of 1200 mm from the base of the fountain to the edge of the pad Drinking Fountain Dimensions The drinking fountain shall have a knee clearance of a minimum of 750 mm wide x 300 mm deep x 680 mm high have a water spout opening between 750-900mm off the ground with a water stream that rises a minimum of 100 mm from the spout be recessed or otherwise located out of the route of travel This accessible fountain is at an appropriate height, allows for knee clearance and requires no fine motor control to operate Design Guidelines 9
References Americans with Disabilites Act (1990). www.access-board.gov/adaag/html/adaag.htm Brodie, I. (Ed.) (2004) Accessible Design for the Built Environment, Canadian Standards Association, Ottawa. Whybrow, S. (2006) Design Considerations for Accessibility, John Groomes, Colombo, Sri Lanka. Design Guidelines 10