7 Railings You Need for Public Parks and Landscapes
As a father of five, I can really appreciate the value of public parks. I can’t tell you the number of adventures we’ve had while hiking through trails or the laughs found while chasing each other on a playground.
Scraped knees and tumbles are all a part of growing up. However, I don’t want my family to be exposed to unnecessary danger. That’s why it is so important that we have handrails and guardrails installed to increase public park safety.
Whether you’re a park planner, contractor, or concerned parkgoer, knowing what safety should be available in a park will help you understand what accountability is required. In this article, I’ll show you 7 locations that should have railing in your local parks.
Who Sets the Safety Regulations for Public Parks?
It’s imperative to check with any regulations, federal and local, when developing a park or recreation space. If you’re not sure where to look, here are a few of the more important regulations to investigate:
- OSHA - OSHA defines the standards for a safe and healthy work environment. Anytime employees are involved, so is OSHA. This applies to your park staff and any contractors you hire.
- IBC – IBC (International Building Code) sets standards for buildings. Although IBC has no direct authority, most local governments adopt these codes. There are other codes that the International Code Council produce, like ICCPC (Performance Code for Buildings and Facilities), that may also apply.
- ADA - The Americans with Disabilities Act writes the standards for providing safe access to Americans with disabilities. This is to ensure that every American has the opportunity to enjoy, use, or work in public spaces.
- Local Park Code – Check your local municipality for codes specific to parks and recreation. I do not have a general link to a federally observed code. It’s as simple as googling your city’s or state’s parks and recreation codes.
I know this can seem like a lot and that’s because it is. Just focus on one specific aspect of your project at a time. Look specifically for the code that applies to that. An example could be stair handrails.
3 Handrails Every Park Should Have
Handrails are designed to give someone support as they change from one elevation to another. These help everyone, especially those with physical disabilities. Whether it’s Uncle Bob who doesn’t realize he’s not as young as he used to be or Grandma Helen who is celebrating her 100th birthday.
Stair Handrails in Parks
Stairs are the most common place where a handrail is needed. Stairs are all over parks and public spaces. I think of the gazebos where local bands play during the summer months. There are stairs that lead from a boardwalk to a beach where a dad gets buried by his kids. Or the long climbs in a state park where waterfalls are explored, and beautiful vistas are found. Whatever the memory that is being created, a supportive handrail will help our family feel like they can more easily participate.
Ramp Handrails in Parks
My kids absolutely love to run up and down the ramps built in parks. Whether we’re heading into a rented lodge for a graduation party, or the boardwalk is changing to a higher elevation, handrails help us navigate these areas. Ramps are so important for those with mobility issues to stay with the family on a fun adventure.
Trail Handrails in Parks
My favorite type of park to take my children to are ones with nature trails. We enjoy hiking through the woods and imagining we’re in a fantasy world. The animal sightings and sounds. The wind rustling through the trees.
The very steep trails we find ourselves hiking up. As these areas do not require handrails, it would create a more accessible area for our less mobile family members to join in on the fun. Sometimes it’s just the ability to stop and hold on to something while you catch your breath that makes all the difference.
4 Guardrails Every Park Should Have
A guardrail is designed to protect someone from whatever hazard is on the other side, often a fall. I want my children to experience the world and danger is a natural part of that. However, I don’t want to expose them to unnecessary risk. Here are some ways we can use guardrails to give families some peace of mind.
Bridge Guardrails in Parks
Bridges give us access to locations and views not otherwise available. Watching a river race underneath us or looking down into a canyon can be awe-inspiring. These can come with obvious risks and it's pretty obvious how a guardrail can be helpful here. However, still ponds and shallow streams can still pose an immediate threat to a 3-year-old. No matter how watchful a parent is, it only takes a moment for a slip and an accident to occur. Guardrails on bridges are a great way to reduce anxiety and risk for parents, no matter what the bridge crosses.
Boardwalk Guardrails in Parks
Most of the time, boardwalks do not have a fall hazard to be worried about. However, guardrails can act as barriers, making it more difficult for children to run off toward the waterfront. Other boardwalks will lead you through waterways, in which case a guardrail is obviously needed. Check out how the Braddock Bay State Park used guardrails to protect the families that visited the park.
Pier Guardrails in Parks
Taking a walk down a pier and enjoying the view from a lighthouse is a quintessential summer activity. As a parent, I am constantly watching my kids to make sure that they don’t wander off the edge toward the water. Thankfully, there is a guardrail on my local pier. I didn’t want to look up statistics about how many children are hurt or worse on piers due to falls over the edge. Make sure that a guardrail with multiple rails is installed to protect families as they enjoy ice cream while walking on a pier.
Trail Landings and Observation Deck Guardrails in Parks
So many people like looking over an edge from up high. It will often happen regardless of the risk (and sometimes because of the risk). Providing a guardrail on resting platforms in the middle of trails or observation areas from higher locations in parks is how we keep families from mourning when they should be laughing and smiling.
Wrapping Up
These are common areas where handrails or guardrails are needed. There are more available spaces depending on what type of amenities the park has. For instance, one of our existing customers was able to turn an auditorium into a pickleball court. They needed to use guardrails on the old stage to create a safe waiting area for their guests.
If you’re ready to design or purchase a railing, then contact our specialists. They can answer your questions, help you think through your project, and get you set up with the right railing for the project.
