Trails
Access Board Issues Draft Final Rule for Outdoor Developed Areas
Submitted by Anonymous on January 25, 2010 - 6:09pm.by Jennifer Skulski
Accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas managed by federal agencies are one step closer to becoming standards. On October 19, 2009, the U.S. Access Board released the Draft Final Accessibility Guidelines for Federal Outdoor Areas covered by the Architectural Barriers Act.
This draft marks another milestone of more than 15 years of work by the Access Board and vested stakeholders including regulatory negotiation in 1999. The issuance of this draft document brings the adoption of accessibility guidelines for outdoor developed areas closer to finalization and implementation under the Architectural Barriers Act. It further defines accessibility considerations for outdoor recreation environments and provides needed guidance to land managers on minimum standards to design for the inclusion of people with disabilities in these outdoor environments.
Trail Research: A Longitudinal Trail Research Program on Soil Stabilizers (1999)
Submitted by Anonymous on January 20, 2010 - 2:52pm.This study was originally conducted by the National Center on Accessibility at Bradford Woods between 1997 and 1999.
The purpose of this project is to compare the effectiveness of surface treatments for creating a trail accessible to people with mobility impairments. Specifically, this study is examining the longitudinal effects of surface treatments on surface firmness and stability, the costs of applying the treatments, and their relative maintenance demands.
What is being tested
The trail base contains compacted soil indigenous to central Indiana. The types of surfaces used were Quarter Minus Limestone, #11 limestone (refers to stone size), and indigenous soil. Quarter Minus Limestone is a by-product of crushed limestone in which the limestone fines are no larger than a quarter inch and most fines are dust particles.
NCA Seeks Land Managers with Trails to Participate in National Study
Submitted by Anonymous on January 7, 2010 - 12:18pm.A2R Webinar Archives
Submitted by Anonymous on September 11, 2009 - 11:11am.The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Access to Recreation grant program provided $15 million in funding to 36 recreation projects in four Midwestern states from 2006 to 2009. Projects were selected based on their concepts for embracing universal design, opportunity to facilitate inclusion of people of all abilities and opportunity to serve as an exemplar of universal design to community planners, recreation practitioners and advocates. Over the summer of 2009, the National Center on Accessibility hosted three free 90-minute sessions. The webinars presented an overview of the project concepts, the planning process, design decisions, construction issues, and fundraising. This was an excellent opportunity for professionals seeking the latest information on universal design trends specific to parks and recreation. The series was sponsored by the Michigan Recreation and Park Association Foundation.
Playgrounds
Boating & Fishing
Interpretive Trails
A2R Webinar Series Transcript: Interpretive Trails
Submitted by Anonymous on September 2, 2009 - 12:00pm.A2R Webinar Archive: Interpretive Trails
Submitted by Anonymous on August 5, 2009 - 1:33pm.The W.K. Kellogg Foundation Access to Recreation grant program provided $15 million in funding to 36 recreation projects in four Midwestern states from 2006 to 2009. Projects were selected based on their concepts for embracing universal design, opportunity to facilitate inclusion of people of all abilities and opportunity to serve as an exemplar of universal design to community planners, recreation practitioners and advocates. Over the summer of 2009, the National Center on Accessibility hosted three free 90-minute sessions. The webinars presented an overview of the project concepts, the planning process, design decisions, construction issues, and fundraising. This was an excellent opportunity for professionals seeking the latest information on universal design trends specific to parks and recreation.
Preferred Natural Environments and People with Disabilities
Submitted by Anonymous on February 12, 2009 - 4:43pm.by Terry J. Brown, Rachel Kaplan & Gail Quaderer
What is an Accessible Trail?
Submitted by Anonymous on October 31, 2007 - 9:29pm.Previous accessibility standards such as the Uniform Federal Accessibility Standards (UFAS) and the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG) address the built environment, "the bricks and mortar." These guidelines do not transfer well to the natural environment. The built environment is open to manipulation. For example, if there is a hill where someone wants to build the parking lot for a store, then a bulldozer is used to level the area. In contrast, the natural environment includes factors, such as the weather, that are out of human control. The natural environment is part of the experience people wish to enjoy on a trail.
Trail Surfaces: What Do I Need to Know Now?
Submitted by Anonymous on October 11, 2007 - 8:43pm.Surface is a critical component of an accessible trail. There are two main aspects for consideration regarding accessible trail surfaces. First, the surface must be firm and stable so that the users with disabilities do not expend unnecessary energy that could be used enjoying the trail. Second, there are a variety of surface materials available to enhance accessibility, therefore, the functionality and aesthetics of each product should be considered.
