HF4853

Purpose

This bill requires that playgrounds funded by the state be designed and built to be inclusive and usable by people with and without disabilities. It aims to ensure playgrounds follow universal design principles so a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities can participate.

Main Provisions

• State-funded playgrounds must be inclusive and universally designed. Projects must apply universal design principles to create accessible and inclusive play opportunities.
• Design features should be included to the maximum extent feasible given the project scope and available funding.
• State funding is defined as money appropriated by the Legislature or distributed through a state-administered grant program, including state fund appropriations and bond proceeds.
• Substantially renovated playgrounds are defined as projects that replace 50 percent or more of play equipment or modify the play area footprint, surfacing, system, or primary accessible routes.
• Design considerations for the entire play environment include:
  • Accessible routes and travel surfaces
  • Play equipment and activities that support participation by people with a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities
  • Sensory play opportunities
  • Signage and wayfinding features
  • Seating, gathering areas, and spaces for caregiver supervision
  • Shade, shelter, and environmental comfort features
  • Accessible amenities such as restrooms, benches, and picnic areas
• Universal design principles require entities receiving state funding to incorporate the Seven Principles of Universal Design as established by the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University, or an equivalent inclusive design standard.
• Design review must be conducted by an individual with demonstrated expertise in playground safety, accessibility, or inclusive design, which may include a certified playground safety inspector or a Minnesota certified accessibility specialist.
• Implementation guidance may be developed by the Department of Natural Resources, in consultation with the Minnesota Council on Disability, to support the use of inclusive and universally designed playgrounds funded with state money.
  • The guidance may include recommendations on accessible surfacing, ground-level play components, transfer systems, and proportional accessibility based on playground size and complexity.

Significance and Scope

• The bill adds a new requirement to ensure state-funded playgrounds are designed and built to be inclusive and universally accessible, aligning playground projects with recognized universal design standards.
• It establishes roles for design review and potential guidance development to support implementation across applicable projects.
• It clarifies how “state funding” and “substantial renovations” are defined for purposes of applying these standards.

Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new statutory requirement in Minnesota Statutes (a new section) mandating inclusive and universally designed playgrounds for state-funded projects, along with definitions, design considerations, review requirements, and guidance provisions.

Relevant Terms - inclusive playgrounds - universally designed playgrounds - universal design - Seven Principles of Universal Design - Center for Universal Design - North Carolina State University - accessible routes - travel surfaces - play equipment - sensory play opportunities - signage and wayfinding - seating and supervision - shade and shelter - environmental comfort features - accessible amenities - restrooms - benches - picnic areas - state funding - substantial renovations - 50 percent - playground safety - accessibility - inclusive design standards - certified playground safety inspector - Minnesota certified accessibility specialist - Department of Natural Resources - Minnesota Council on Disability - best practices - ground-level play components - transfer systems - proportional accessibility