Accessible Play Areas - A Summary of Accessibility Guidelines for Play Areas

16. If a play surface is replaced with an accessible surface and the existing ground level play components are not accessible, do the components need to be replaced?

No. The rule of thumb is–that what you touch must be brought into compliance. If the alteration to the play area only involves the surfacing, only the surface along accessible routes, clear floor or ground spaces, and maneuvering spaces must comply with the ASTM F 1951-99 (wheelchair maneuverability) standard. Where the surface is within the "use zone" defined by the ASTM F 1487-98 (safety) standard, the surface must also meet the ASTM F 1292-99 (impact attenuation) standard. In this case, existing ground level play components are not required to meet the technical provisions of Section 1008.4.