Outdoor Developed Areas: A Summary of Accessibility Standards for Federal Outdoor Developed Areas

Picnic Facilities

Definition [F106.5]

A picnic facility is a site, or a portion of a site, that is developed for outdoor recreational purposes and contains picnic units.

A picnic unit is an outdoor space in a picnic facility that is used for picnicking and contains at least one outdoor constructed feature.

Picnic Units With Mobility Features [F245.2.1 and F245.2.2]

When only one or two picnic units are provided in a picnic facility, each picnic unit must provide mobility features. When more than two picnic units are provided in a picnic facility, at least 20 percent, but no less than two, of the picnic units must provide mobility features.

Picnic units with mobility features don’t have to be identified by signs. Entities should provide information on the location of picnic units with mobility features on Web sites, in brochures, and at bulletin boards or information kiosks at the picnic facility.

Alterations and Additions [F245.2.3]

When altering or adding picnic units to an existing picnic facility, the scoping requirements apply only to the picnic units that are altered or added until the required minimum number of picnic units with mobility features is provided at the picnic facility.

When an entity is implementing a transition plan for program accessibility developed pursuant to regulations issued under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, which designates specific picnic units to provide mobility features, the entity is not required to provide accessible elements when altering individual elements within picnic units that are not designated to provide mobility features. When all the elements within a picnic unit are altered, the altered picnic unit must provide mobility features until the required minimum number of picnic units with mobility features is provided at the picnic facility. 

Dispersion [F245.2.4]

Picnic units with mobility features must provide choices of picnic units comparable to, and integrated with, those available to others.

Elements Within Picnic Units With Mobility Features [F245.2.5]

At least one of each type of element provided within picnic units with mobility features, including outdoor constructed features and parking spaces, must comply with the applicable technical requirements for that element. When more than one of the same type of element (e.g., picnic tables, grills) is provided within a picnic unit with mobility features, at least two of the same type of element must comply with the applicable technical requirements for that element.

Outdoor Constructed Features in Common Use and Public Use Areas [F245.4]

Where outdoor constructed features are provided in common use and public use areas that serve picnic units with mobility features, at least 20 percent, but no less than one, of each type of outdoor constructed feature provided at each location must comply with the applicable technical requirements for the feature.

Outdoor Recreation Access Routes in Picnic Facilities

The scoping and technical requirements for ORARs in picnic facilities are discussed in the section of this guide on ORARs.