This section of the guide considers how accessibility can be incorporated into the design and management of beach landscapes including any on-site facilities such as parking, pathways and boardwalks leading to and around the beach and its environs, accessible WCs and Changing Places WC Facilities, picnic and playground locations. These guidelines also consider the provision and use of accessible walkways onto the beach created with roll-out mats such as Mobi-Mats and the provision of Beach Access Buggies that can be provided on-site.
All beaches can present challenges for visitors. The accessibility of any beach can vary, particularly for visitors who have a disability. People who have sensory or cognitive impairments can experience difficulty with wayfinding and people who are wheelchair users or who have a mobility impairment find movement on sandy surfaces difficult or even impossible.
Many beaches are developed and include man-made infrastructure such as lifeguard posts, changing rooms, showers, parking etc. Wild or undiscovered beaches tend not to have such facilities and are valued for their untouched beauty and preserved nature.
Open outdoor pursuits for everyone. The main reason people with disabilities don’t participate in outdoor pursuits is not their disability, it’s the lack of access. Provide parking, Changing Places, and trained on-site staff. That’s what’s needed
– Quote from National Online Survey 2017
The guidance within this section outlines design criteria for Multi-Access and Challenging Access pathways and routes. The design criteria and guidance includes;
Use of Symbols
Information Display Boards
Design Criteria for Routes when accessing the beach – sand and water
Surfacing
Picnic Areas
Playgrounds
Obstacles and Barriers
On-site Support and Accessible Equipment
The symbols below represent Multi-Access and Challenging Access routes which are proposed to identify two levels of accessibility.
Multi-Access Symbol
Challenging Access Symbol
The symbols that indicate the different levels of route accessibility should be located at the entrance point of a route leading to/around the beach, at route junction points and at regular intervals along the beach route/s to highlight accessible routes. The use of these symbols will confirm location signage and route directions are accessible and can be easily determined and followed. People with disabilities can therefore make an informed choice to use a specific entrance to the beach, follow a particular route or boardwalk or go to a viewing point.
Please note : Warning should be given in advance where the accessibility along a route disimproves so that the route is no longer accessible.
When displaying this symbol the following criteria should apply:
Clear access route leading to the boardwalk/beach.
Fully accessible boardwalk.
Even surface with little or no gradient, 1:21(5%) being max gradient on any sloping ground and only for a short distance.
Flat/smooth surfacing.
No steps.
Access onto the beach/sand is provided, boardwalk/Mobi-Mats.
No obstacles.
When displaying this symbol the following criteria should apply:
Clear access route leading to the boardwalk/beach
Challenging but accessible route/boardwalk.
Slight or more challenging incline/s at some locations, max slopes of 1:15 (7%) in some locations and only for a very short distance. Any steeper slope is considered unsuitable.
Textured or uneven surfacing that may cause difficulty i.e. loose materials on the route to the beach/gravel surface on the beach.
No steps.
No obstacles.
Information Display Boards are essential elements in providing adequate information to direct people towards and along beach trails and routes. Information Display Boards provide a visitor with information on facilities available, the use of any waymarking system, features of interest or give warnings about hazards along routes.
Please Revert to Section 3 for complete guidance on the design of Information Display Boards.
Beach routes and boardwalks should allow good access to everyone. The constructed landscape should be designed and set out in a manner to avoid hazards and to allow everyone a safe opportunity to reach, experience and enjoy the beach surroundings.
Information on accessible routes to the beach, to any beach features and to any on-site equipment should be presented in a variety of ways i.e. both online and on-site to allow users anticipate access options and to view the on-site facilities provided.
Accessible Parking . Provide accessible parking bays adjacent to the main beach access routes and include a set down/pick-up area. Public accessible WCs/ Changing Places WC Facility should be provided in the most convenient location/s adjacent to the parking, beach or accessible entrance points. Level Access from the parking area to the route/s adjacent to the beach and leading to on-site facilities. Level access is required at the start of any boardwalk. Avoid creating any lip. Level and Sloping Surfaces on Multi-Access Routes Level and Sloping Surfaces on Challenging Access Routes Many people using manual wheelchairs will require assistance on a 1:15 (7%) or a 1:12 (8%) slope gradient and also on 1:21 or 1:20 (5%) slope gradient if the route has more than 1 section. Natural route surfacing materials . Multi-Access and Challenging Access Route surfaces should be firm, compact, stable, non-slip, and obstacle-free. Suitable surfaces for multi-access and Challenging Access Routes include tarmac, concrete, timber and natural wood. Unsuitable surfacing materials include loose gravel, grass, dust binding, cobblestones and moss. There should be very little or no loose material on the route/boardwalk. Loose particles should not exceed 5mm in size. Providing an alternate surface type along the sides of any route to create a divergence in colour and texture can also act as a guiding strip for people with a visual impairment.Boardwalk Route Surfacing . Access to the beach can be difficult or impossible for a person using a wheelchair or other mobility aids. In these instances, beach route walkways are necessary to give people easy access from their vehicles along pathways and onto the sandy beach. A timber boardwalk can provide a suitable route. Access onto the route/boardwalk should be gently sloped, wooden boards should be laid at right angles to the direction of traffic flow (otherwise mobility canes or the front castors of wheelchairs may be caught between boards). It is good practice to lay down decking with very slight gaps between the individual boards. This may also give some extra grip if boards become wet and slippery. The gap should be no greater than 12mm. Surface Colour . Light coloured surfacing is preferable as it diverges in colour from the surrounding landscape and can aid in wayfinding for people who have a visual impairment. Width . The width of the boardwalk should be 2000mm to allow two wheelchair users to pass each other safely. A path width of 1500mm accommodates a wheelchair user and another person walking alongside. A minimum path width for a wheelchair user to traverse without another person walking alongside is 1200mm and is only suitable for very short distances. Edging/Protection on Boardwalks . Boardwalks should have some edge protection/upstand in place along the length of the boardwalk. Edge protection such as a raised kerb of at least 150mm in height should be provided on both sides of a boardwalk to stop the castors of a wheelchair from going over the edge and which also acts as a “tapping rail” to assist a person with a visual impairment with wayfinding. Passing spaces that allow two wheelchair users to pass each other should be provided on routes that are less than 2000mm in width and where the overall route length is greater than 25m. Passing spaces in the external environment should be 2000mm in depth and 2000mm in width and located within direct sight of another passing space. Viewing points . Where a barrier is required at a viewing point for reasons of safety provide a Perspex barrier at a height of 800-900mm from ground level. Ensure there are no bins or overgrown shrubbery blocking the view from a sitting height. Perspex should be maintained regularly and green algae should be removed, as this will obstruct the view. Seating Type . Any seating provided adjacent to a boardwalk or at any beach location should be placed back from the main route by at least 600mm to allow others to move freely past the seating area. Seating provided should be no lower than 450mm from ground level with a minimum of 450mm seat depth and with a heel space of 100mm to allow for easier rising from the seat. Armrests should be provided as they assist a person to sit into and to rise from the seat. Avoid sharp edges. A clear space of 1400mm in depth and 900mm in width is recommended adjacent to the seating to allow a person using a wheelchair to position their wheelchair alongside. Onsite facilities should include beach buggies, picnic & playground facilities. Maintenance . Regular upkeep and maintenance will ensure that boardwalks and adjacent facilities remain accessible for all users.
Boardwalk/Beach Access Route Surfacing material can include traditional pressure treated wood, composite decking, pre-cast concrete forms and modified wood. All such materials should be treated with a slip-resistant surface. The following information applies;
Pressure-treated Wood is the most common type of material for use on a boardwalk. It is not expensive and is easy to work with, as well as readily available. However, pressure treated wood can have a negative effect when it comes to environmental concerns. It can leak chemicals into the ground where it is laid, which can compromise wetlands, bodies of water and the groundwater table. It can also become slippery overtime with the accumulation of moss and algae, it requires regular maintenance and may require repair or replacement more regularly than some other materials. Composite Decking is considered a more environmentally friendly product compared to pressure treated wood and comes in a variety of colours. It can be slippery when wet because of its plastic coating and also heats up significantly in the sun, making it unsuitable for areas where people will commonly walk barefoot, like a beach. It can also become compromised by moss and algae, and if the upper surface is ever breached, the inner material can absorb water, causing the planks to swell. Non-toxic Wood . With environmental concerns in mind, it is a recommendation to use modified, non-toxic wood. Over time the wood will naturally weather, enhancing its beauty, while maintaining its structural integrity despite the harsh weather conditions that beach access elements endure. The surface materials most commonly used include traditional, pressure treated wood, composite decking, pre-cast concrete forms and modified wood. Any wood or composite wood material must be treated with non-slip properties as these materials tend towards being slippery in wet/moist weather. Pre-cast Concrete is one of the more expensive options for boardwalk construction. It is also one of the least attractive options with most people preferring the appearance of real wood and the different styles and options that wood can bring. Concrete is durable, however, and does not promote mould or algae growth in wet areas. It can be more difficult to work with, though, and requires more precise definition of the edges of the boardwalk prior to construction. Few to no changes can be made to the design once work begins. Modified Wood
Modified Wood Accessible Boardwalk Accessible wheelchair boardwalk & shaded area Many people with disabilities may have limited mobility and provision of specific equipment, in addition to permanent on-site facilities, can support increased participation in outdoor beach activities. On some outdoor locations, including beaches, there may be equipment available for public use such as bicycles, on-site outdoor gym equipment, surfboards etc.
Consideration should be given to providing accessible equipment at all such locations including, for example, handcycles, dual-use outdoor gym equipment , accessible beach buggies and boardwalk/mat access onto the beach.
Portable Removable Mats and Beach Wheelchairs/Buggies are two key pieces of equipment that may assist in supporting individuals access the beach environment more freely.
While a permanent structure such as a Wooden Boardwalk should provide access as far as possible onto the beach, movement over the sand and to the water can be difficult or impossible for a person with mobility issues or for a person who uses a wheelchair. Mobility aids, such as Portable/Removable Mats or Beach Wheelchairs/Buggies can provide further access onto the beach from the connecting beach access route/boardwalk.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) includes information on the availability of on-site beach equipment on its website: http://www.beaches.ie
A Portable/Removable Mat walkway can be used to link with the boardwalk and bring the person further onto the sand and as close as possible to the water’s edge. Ideally, there would also be a mat surfaced area of the beach beside the end of the portable/removable mats that allows a person/s using a wheelchair to come off the mat walkway and position within a group of friends without obstructing others who are using the mat walkway to reach the water. Access-Mats and Mobi-Mats are beach accessibility mats that have been specifically developed for use in permanent or temporary recreation access points. An Access-Mat or Mobi-Mat is a portable and removable rollout access route that can be used in a multitude of settings so that everyone can access their chosen environments i.e. the beach and seawater . Removeable Beach Mats
Beach Wheelchairs/Buggies Water Wheels Buggies
A Beach Wheelchair/Buggy
De-Bug Beach Wheelchairs Hippocampe Beach & All-Terrain Wheelchair Hippocampe Beach and All-Terrain Chairs Information, Management and Assistance
The following obstacles and barriers may occur when accessing boardwalks and beaches. Accessible solutions may have to be innovatively designed and creatively achieved wherever possible:
Natural environmental features may define access. (Sand dunes etc.) Erosion may occur and maintenance/resurfacing of sections of routes/boardwalk may be regularly required. Consider if drainage or relocation is an option. Protruding vegetation and obstacles should be secured and should be maintained regularly so as not to encroach onto the boardwalk. Boardwalks. Where the slope on the approach route is very steep, consider if an alternative route is possible. Due to the natural movement of sand on beaches , boardwalks will need to be continually cleared of sand/pebbles etc. in order to maintain a clear surface on the boardwalk. natural steep inclines
Families and friends often venture to the beach with the specific intent to spend the day and to picnic meal times. Playgrounds for children are often provided adjacent to picnic/beach locations. Providing accessible picnic and playground facilities allows the inclusion of all visitors to the beach.
Universal Design Picnic Table
Site Information and Signage . Provide information on the Information Display Board of the location of accessible picnic/play areas. Provide appropriate signage to identify locations of accessible picnic/play areas.Surfacing . Provide a firm and level surface leading to and around the picnic/play area that is clear, smooth and non-slip with an 1800mm accessibility zone around all sides of the table and bench unit. Avoid the use of unsuitable ground surfaces such as sand grass and loose gravel. Picnic Tables . The height of a picnic table should be between 750mm-800mm with clear knee space of 700mm beneath. Cantilevered ends on picnic tables facilitate wheelchair users. The seat height should be within 460-480mm from the ground and minimum depth of the seat should be 450mm. The back support of the seat should be a minimum 455mm in height. Ensure there is a section of the table with no permanent seating attached.Seating areas . Where seating is provided at picnic/play locations, provide a mixture of seating options i.e. some with backrests, some with armrests and some with both. Location of Picnic Tables & Seating . Place some accessible picnic/seating locations in the shade for people who may be photosensitive.
A playground designed on the principles of Universal Design should be located on a level site with smooth, firm and non-slip surfacing. Play equipment should be carefully chosen to allow for social interaction and as many play items as possible should be usable by the broadest range of children. At least one play item within each of the main play activities – swinging, sliding, rocking and climbing – should be accessible to children with mobility, cognitive and sensory impairments. Ground level play items, including sand and water play, should be at a height that is easily accessible to all children. An accessible and inclusive design approach for playgrounds means it easier for everyone to play, regardless of their abilities.
Playground surface. Suitable playground surfacing includes synthetic surfacing such as pour-in-place, rubber tiles and turf specially designed for playgrounds. Unsuitable playground surfacing includes loose fill surfacing such as sand, pea gravel, wood, fibre or rubber shreds and grass.Ground level activities . Consider including a variety of ground level activities. There should be a balance of ‘easier’ more accessible play elements along with those that are more challenging. If there are not enough play elements that provide a challenge, some children will go elsewhere to play, making the playground less inclusive or they will create their own challenge, making the playground more dangerous. Quiet areas. Provide quiet areas, ideally with shade, to allow children to retreat from the noise and action of the playground.
Ramps rather than or alongside steps/stairs. Rubber flooring rather than wood chips or gravel. Lowered play items that can be reached at sitting level. Elevated sand/water boxes with leg and knee space underneath. Roll-on swing sets . Sign language games (such as finger-spelling displays). Clear visibility throughout the playground with few solid walls or dividers. Sound play elements. Distinct colours with high contrast. Colours should be chosen to accommodate colour-blindness and children with limited vision. Braille displays. No tripping hazards.
Fences around the playground to prevent children wandering away and to help avoid dangerous areas. Swing sets with seats that incorporate seat belts and lateral supports: great for those with poor balance. Inclusive playground equipment that can be used by all children.
Roll-On swing set
Roll-On swing set Roundabout
Roundabout Sensory play – Sand and Water
Sensory play Accessible sandpit
Pedestal-style accessible sandpi Accessible Merry-go-round
Accessible merry-go-round Play Swing
Play Swing “Beach wheelchairs and accessible toilets are badly needed along with trained staff”.
– Quote from National Online Survey 2017
