Planning a play space where every child can play, belong, and thrive.
Building a playground isn’t just about play equipment—it’s about community. It’s about ensuring that every child, regardless of their abilities, can run, climb, swing, and laugh alongside their peers. That’s where ADA compliance comes into play. Yes, it’s a legal requirement. But more than that, it’s a promise to include everyone.
This guide is here to help. It outlines the key Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) accessibility guidelines you’ll want to consider while planning your playground, based on official guidance from the U.S. Access Board, ASTM standards, and the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design.
While we’ve translated the details into more approachable terms, it’s always best to consult the full ADA regulations during your design and approval process, or consult experts to help you from start to finish.
Inclusion starts long before a child reaches the first slide. It begins with how they—and their caregivers—arrive.
If your site includes a parking lot, make sure you’ve got designated, readily accessible spaces. These need to be wide enough, clearly marked, and located on the shortest possible path to the playground entrance. Van-accessible spots should be included, too.
From there, think about the path itself. At least one route needs to be firm, stable, and slip-resistant. Ideally, it’s wide enough—60 inches or more—for two mobility devices to pass comfortably, but a 36-inch width can work for most of the route.
Slopes should be gentle—1:20 or less is the maximum slope allowed for accessible routes, known as the running slope. If it’s any steeper, it becomes a ramp, and ramps come with their own set of requirements.
A few key definitions can go a long way in helping you understand what’s expected.
The ADA guidelines apply to newly constructed and significantly altered play areas in public facilities meant for children ages 2 and up. Private homes, religious institutions, and amusement park-style rides are generally exempt.
When you see the term play components, that refers to things like swings, slides, climbing walls, composite play structures—basically, the stuff kids interact with. Some of these are ground-level play components. Others are elevated and require elevated accessible routes, ramps, or steps.
A use zone is the area surrounding the equipment that needs safety surfacing in case of falls, and an accessible route is the uninterrupted path that connects these components.
As for surfacing, not all playground surface systems are equal. They need to pass two safety standards: one for shock absorption (ASTM F1292), which helps prevent injuries from falls, and another for navigability (ASTM F1951), which ensures kids using wheelchairs or other mobility aids can move through the space without getting stuck. Both are of equal importance for playground safety.
Compliance isn’t just about making sure kids can get to the accessible playground. It’s about making sure they can actually use it.
Inside the play area, the accessible path continues. Ground-level routes should ideally allow two mobility devices to pass—so 60 inches is the sweet spot—but if space is tight, short sections can narrow to 36 inches. Either way, the path needs to be nearly level, with a slope no greater than 1:16.
At least half of the considered elevated play components must be accessible. Ramps are key, especially on larger playground structures, since not all kids can use transfer systems.
If your setup includes 20 or more elevated elements, while not required, it’s a good idea to connect around 25% or more of these elevated components provided with ramps, ensuring equal access. The rest can use transfer platforms with steps and handrails.
Transfer systems matter, especially for smaller accessible play areas where full ramps may not fit. They must be easy to reach, secure, and built to common-sense dimensions that support real-world use.
Accessibility lives in the little things.
Ramps should rise gradually—no more than one inch for every 12 inches in length—and be at least 36 inches wide, with a slip-resistant ramp surface. Landings are required every 12 inches of rise and at ramp turns. Those landings should give kids enough space to turn and rest, at least 60 inches long, and 60x60 inches if there’s a directional change.
Handrails? Yes—on both sides, between 20 and 28 inches high, built to be gripped by small hands.
If you’re using transfer systems, the platform or deck area needs to be between 11 and 18 inches off the ground, wide enough for kids to maneuver into position, and supported by steps—typically no more than 8 inches tall—for easier access. There should also be something to hold onto—grip rails or hand supports—to help kids transfer safely.
Each accessible play feature should also offer clear, level space for a wheelchair user to approach and engage with it. That means a flat area measuring at least 30 inches by 48 inches with a minimal slope. Swings designed for inclusive use should also have nearby turning space for easier access.
If your design includes accessible play tables, aim for at least 24 inches of knee clearance, a width of 30 inches, and 17 inches of depth under the table. The surface itself should sit no higher than 31 inches.
And while it’s not required, it’s a great idea to place interactive features like spinners, panels, or wheels within easy reach, generally 20 to 44 inches from the ground, depending on the age of your users.
Playgrounds don’t stay static—and neither should your accessibility efforts.
If you’re building multiple play zones (like one for toddlers and one for older kids), each area must comply with ADA standards independently.
If you’re doing phased construction, make sure every completed phase meets the rules, even before the whole playground is finished. And yes, replacing surfacing on an existing playground can count as an “alteration” and may trigger new compliance requirements.
For enclosed or soft-contained play structures, you’ll need to provide at least one accessible entry if there are three or fewer, or two if there are four or more.
Don’t forget about site features like benches, drinking fountains, or picnic tables. These amenities need to be reachable via an accessible route, like a ramp access, with appropriate height and spacing for users with mobility aids.
Once the playground is open, don’t let maintenance fall off your radar. Surfacing wears down. Ramps get slippery. Routes shift. Regular inspections and updates help you stay compliant—and, more importantly, keep kids safe. Keep written records of inspections and fixes; they can be invaluable for warranty support, insurance, or liability protection.
And remember, the ADA allows equivalent facilitation. If you come up with a creative design that meets or exceeds accessibility standards—even if it doesn’t follow the rulebook exactly—it can still be compliant, as long as you document it properly.
Meeting the minimum is a start, but true inclusion lives above the line, guided by thoughtful, inclusive play design.
Consider adding other play types like multi-sensory features, i.e., textured panels, music elements, or color-rich zones that engage more than one sense. Inclusive playground equipment helps create spaces where children can play together in inclusive play activities, side-by-side, regardless of ability. Consider how your layout supports social interaction, not just independent use.
For kids who process the world differently, quiet zones or tucked-away areas can make a big difference. Add soft surfaces, reduce visual clutter, or build in shade to create calming spots where children can take a break.
If you’re not sure what’s needed, ask. Families with children who use mobility devices or who are neurodiverse can offer insights for your inclusive and accessible playground that go far beyond any checklist.
At the end of the day, a playground is more than a recreational facility to run and climb—it’s a symbol of what your community values.
ADA compliance ensures that no child is left out because of a barrier they didn’t create. But when you go beyond compliance—when you plan with empathy, creativity, and community voices—you create something bigger. A safe playground where play, connection, and possibility belong to everyone.
You got more questions you need answered? Or need someone to guide you through the whole process?
Contact us today and get your free consultation because we've got you covered! Our team is composed of experts and, more importantly, easy to talk to, so whatever your concern may be, whether it's for a new or existing playground, we've got your back!
The founder and CEO of https://www.aaastateofplay.com/, Nic Breedlove has made waves in the commercial playground equipment industry. Nic’s passion for playgrounds and commitment to excellence has helped to make AAA what it is today. He enjoys sharing his keen insights into the playground world in an effort to make play easier and more accessible to all kids.
