Accessibility Guidebook for Outdoor Recreation and Trails

Surface—The top layer of ground on a recreation site, outdoor recreation access route, trail, or beach access route

• Firm. A surface that resists deformation by indentations. During the planning process, firmness must be evaluated for noticeable distortion or compression during the seasons for which the surface is managed, under normally occurring weather conditions.

• Stable. A surface that is not permanently affected by expected weather conditions and can sustain normal wear and tear from the expected use(s) of the area between planned maintenance.