Ensuring inclusion, regardless of age or ability, to independently participate in a wide range of recreation facilities is the goal of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design. Adopted by the Department of Justice (DOJ) the standards establish minimum accessibility requirements for all new construction or alterations of existing recreational facilities after March 15, 2012. The standards apply to state and local government facilities covered by title II and places of public accommodation covered by title III. This session will go beyond the minimum requirements of the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design for recreation facilities including considerations for surfacing, site amenities, site arrival points, outdoor inclusive fitness equipment, play areas, and much more. Attendees will develop a better understanding of the features that make a park or play area inclusive for everyone. The session will provide tools and resources to help evaluate the level of compliance of existing recreation facilities. This webinar includes real-time captioning and video remote interpreting (VRI) upon request. To request video interpreting services, please email core@playcore.com at least two weeks prior to the webinar date.

Biophilic design comes from biophilia, which literally means a love of nature but also recognizes human dependency on nature. The concept was popularized by Harvard biologist E.O. Wilson, and Yale social ecologist Stephen Kellert. Design activates biophilia by creating equitable places of everyday life, where people and nature intersect, beginning in early childhood. Research strongly suggests that nature has multiple positive impacts on health and wellbeing across the human lifecycle and promotes caring for the planet and each other. Sixty years ago, Only One Earth was published, warning us to care for the health of our biosphere and the deadly consequences of not doing so – now looming. The good news is that international treaties and conventions developed, expanded, and refined over the last several decades can now empower action. Inspiring international examples, design strategies, principles, and practices, at the building, site, neighborhood, and city scale will focus on biophilic design thinking applied to urban neighborhoods, parks and playgrounds, child development centers and schools, streets and greenways, health facilities, and multi-use commercial districts. The growing body of research will be translated into human centered design action to restore and conserve nature in daily life. Landscape architects, architects, planners, park and recreation professionals, and others involved may see themselves as cultural change agents and planetary lifeguards supporting human evolution in a healthy, equitable direction.

In August 2020, via the Great American Outdoors Act, the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) permanently was funded at $900 million annually, offering funding opportunities for eligible projects to support land acquisition, recreational facility improvements and park planning projects. The National Association of State Outdoor Recreation Liaison Officers has developed a roadmap to help navigate the process, understand the requirements, and create a successful project application. Every project starts with a great idea! This session will provide a program overview, offer helpful tips to submit a standout application, and review a variety of resources to arm you for success!

Meeting the minimum accessibility design standards for play and recreation areas is just the first step to making sure everyone can participate, enjoy, and experience park and play area facilities. During the session, a panel of persons with disabilities and professionals that support persons with disabilities will discuss features that can “make or break” the recreational opportunity for persons that are low-vision or blind, persons using mobility devices, persons who are hard of hearing or deaf, persons with developmental disabilities, and individuals that are neurodivergent. Strategies, design elements, barriers, and accessibility will be discussed from different viewpoints. We hope you will join us for this look beyond the minimum accessibility design standards to discover how you can make your park and play areas more inclusive for everyone. This webinar will include video remote interpreting (VRI) and real-time captioning. Participants may ask questions during the live session.

The Advocating for Maintenance to Upper Management session will offer play facility owners and administrators information on the needs and benefits of these spaces. In addition, financial consequences of poorly maintained areas, and duties to manage and operate the facility to the highest safety levels will be covered. Special attention will be given to the role of the agency management to establish a proactive inspection, maintenance, and repair philosophy throughout the agency/department. During the session, we will discuss the key points of a written policy and procedures document to manage public play areas, the importance of hiring qualified inspectors and maintenance technicians to implement the policy, and the importance of continuously training staff.

The Advocating for Maintenance to Upper Management session will offer play facility owners and administrators information on the needs and benefits of these spaces. In addition, financial consequences of poorly maintained areas, and duties to manage and operate the facility to the highest safety levels will be covered. Special attention will be given to the role of the agency management to establish a proactive inspection, maintenance, and repair philosophy throughout the agency/department. During the session, we will discuss the key points of a written policy and procedures document to manage public play areas, the importance of hiring qualified inspectors and maintenance technicians to implement the policy, and the importance of continuously training staff.

Choosing a compliant playground surfacing under and around playground equipment is one of the most important factors in reducing the likelihood of injuries. Strong Foundations explores the features and benefits of various surfacing options in outdoor play, addresses current standards and criteria, and highlights case examples that will inspire ways to add additional play value to your parks and playgrounds. The session will review a step-by-step process and discuss considerations when selecting, purchasing, installing, and maintaining your safety surface.