Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 07/08/2021

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SECTION 8. DEFINITIONS • "Americans With Disabilities Act" or "ADA" refers to the civil rights legislation passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against individuals based on disability. Its provisions were updated in 2008 to include a larger number of people under the umbrella of `disabled.' Pursuant to that law, the Department of Justice (DOJ) developed Standards for Accessible Design in 2010. Any playgrounds constructed or modified after March 15, 2012 are subject to the new standards. Examples of these standards include: a) Running slopes may have grades no steeper than 5% with cross slopes no steeper than 2%; slopes with grades larger than 5% must have handrails and landings b) An accessible route 60 inches wide with 80 inches of overhead clearance must be available c) Transfer platforms must be between 11 and 18 inches high with width and depth at least 24 inches and 14 inches, respectively; transfer steps may be no higher than 8 inches and should include handholds; a 30-inch by 48-inch space must be available adjacent to the transfer platform d) Elevated ramps connecting play structures must be no steeper than 8.25%, no longer than 12 feet, and at least 36 inches wide; they must contain handrails with spots for gripping between 20 and 28 inches off the ground; a 60-inch by 60-inch landing area must be provided if the elevated ramp changes directions e) Manipulative and interactive sensory and communicative components must have reach ranges of 18 to 44 inches for 5- to 12-year old children, and 20 to 36 inches for 2- to 5-year old children f) At least 50 percent of elevated play components should be accessible; for play structures with more than 20 elevated play components, at least 25 percent should be accessible • "Community Park" refers to a park with numerous amenities, such as athletic fields, meant to serve those from around the city as well as from neighboring communities. They are also considerably larger than neighborhood parks. • "Neighborhood Park" refers to a park with fewer amenities, typically anchored by a small playground. They draw people mainly from the immediate neighborhood and have smaller parking capacities. They are considerably smaller than community parks. 6