Access Criteria for Parks + Trails

The following is the criteria for looking at accessibility in parks. The categories are not based on any access codes or technical assessments; rather, they were developed for the purpose of this website and are therefore somewhat subjective. Measurements were not taken for trail grade; we relied upon the researchers’ years of experience using ramps.

ACCESSIBLE VISITOR CENTER

• Is reached by an accessible path of travel
• Has level or ramped entry
• Entry door has at least 32″ clearance (typical ramp)

ACCESSIBLE PARKING

• Identified by the international access symbol and has an adjoining access aisle
• Located on a firm and stable surface
• Is level or on a slope not greater than 2 percent

ACCESSIBLE RESTROOM

• Accessible path of travel
• Entry and stall doors have at least 32″ clearance
• Has 5′ x 5′ turnaround space
• Has grab bars on back wall and at least one side
• Has clear space for lateral transfer
• Toilet height is 17″-19″
• Roll-under sink has knee clearance at least 29″ high and 30″ wide

ACCESSIBLE PICNIC TABLE

• Path of travel is firm and stable
• Located on a level, firm, and stable surface
• At least 27″ knee clearance
• Seating is either at end of table or on the sides

ACCESSIBLE FISHING PIER

• Has level access onto the pier and at least a 32”pathway.
• Safety regulations require that railings be 42”, which may limit views and fishing access from a seated position.

ACCESSIBLE PLAYGROUND

• Has an accessible path of travel to the playground.
• Located on a firm and stable surface as approved by the Access Board.
• May or may not have accessible play structures.

TRAIL GRADE

The grade of ramps and inclines is measured by a ratio. A typical ramp is 1:12, meaning that the slope rises 1” for every 12” of length. Gentle slopes are less than or equal to 1:12, while steep slopes, by varying degrees, are greater than 1:12. We assigned each trail one of the following classifications:

• Level
• Gentle (1:12 or less, manual chair can negotiate)
• Mostly level or gentle (has at least one steep section)
• Steep (> 1:12, power chair and someone with good upper body strength can generally negotiate)
• Very steep (dangerous without assistance)

TERRAIN

• Hard: Paved, boardwalk, asphalt, brick
• Firm: Hardened soil, decomposed granite with stabilizer
• Moderately firm: Gravel or dirt mix with firm underlayment. May be problematic for manual wheelchairs but not motorized wheelchairs/scooters.
• Soft: Wood fiber, loose gravel, loose dirt. Problematic for manual wheelchairs and possibly for motorized wheelchairs/scooters.
• Very Soft: Wood fiber, loose gravel, loose dirt. Problematic for manual wheelchairs and possibly for motorized wheelchairs/scooters