Our Commitment to Inclusion:
  1. Universal Design: We promote universal design principles in all projects to ensure  parks and trails are navigable and enjoyable for people of all abilities. This includes well-maintained pathways, accessible restrooms, and appropriate signage.
  2. Inclusive Experiences: We encourage our facilities to provide diverse recreational opportunities that accommodate the needs of everyone, from adaptive sports to sensory-friendly activities, ensuring everyone can connect with nature in a meaningful way.
  3. Community Engagement: We encourage active conversations with the community, including individuals of all abilities and advocacy groups, to gather feedback to continuously improve the accessibility of facilities and programs.
  4. Education and Training: Our designated facilities educate their staff and volunteers about the importance of inclusion and provide them with the tools and training needed to support all visitors effectively.
  5. Connection to Nature and the Outdoors:  We believe facilitating opportunities to connect people of all abilities with nature fosters an appreciation for the outdoors and the environment.
  6. Continuous Improvement: Inclusion is an ongoing process. We encourage facilities to regularly assess and upgrade their facilities and programs to meet evolving standards and the diverse needs of their community. We are committed to staying informed about best practices and innovative solutions to ensure everyone can participate.
Woman in a motorized track wheel chair looks to cross a short boardwalk
Guest uses a Track Chair at Hartley Park (D1)

Accessibility in Parks and on Trails

Accessibility Forum Series


2026 Forum Series
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The Greater Minnesota Regional Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) has teamed up with national accessibility experts to enhance the accessibility of the greater Minnesota regional facilities.  A key part of this cooperation will be a series of webinar forums regarding aspects of different features commonly found in parks or as part of trails.  

These sessions will be offered on a quarterly basis in 2026 for all regional and prospective regional partners, Legacy partners, and others interested in accessibility in outdoor recreation.

Online registration is required. Links to the webinars will be sent to all registered participants.

In 2025, the GMRPTC collaborated with Bill Botten.  As Bill is trying to retire, he will not be doing the 2026 forums.  We thank Bill for all of the assistance, time, and knowledge he gave to the Commission and the Regional Facilities!  Bill recommended Jennifer Skulski for the 2026 season.

2026 Forum #1: Accessible Exterior Surfaces Part 1 - Accessible Routes, Trails, and Shared Use Paths
Tuesday, April 21, 2026
11:30am - 1:00pm

Not all “trails” are equal, especially when it comes to the application of the accessibility standards and guidelines. This session will cover the differences between accessible routes, outdoor recreation access routes, trails and shared use paths, along with the design considerations for new construction and alterations. Upon completion of this session, learners will be able to:
  • Distinguish between accessible routes, trails, and shared use paths.
  • Discuss the major differences in the technical provisions as they apply to each type of path.
  • Make planning decisions related to paths and surfaces to improve access for visitors with disabilities.

Accessibility Forum #1 VIDEO HERE
Accessibility Forum #1 SLIDES HERE

2026 Forum #2: Accessible Exterior Surfaces Part 2: Considerations for Accessible Exterior Surfaces
Tuesday, June 16
11:30am - 1:00pm

Firm? Stable? Slip resistant? Excessive running slope? Who said cross-slope? What level? Grass is accessible, right? How do you really know if the surface material you are using on accessible routes, a pedestrian trail, shared use path, within a pedestrian access route, picnic area, or playground really is accessible and compliant? In this session, we will cover the accessibility standards and special considerations to make sure your outdoor surfaces are designed, installed, and maintained to be usable by people with disabilities. Upon completion of this session, learners will be able to:
• Identify advantages and disadvantages of various exterior surfaces for people with disabilities.
• Discuss common issues affecting the accessibility of exterior surfaces, including installation and maintenance issues.
• Utilize performance-based criteria for exterior surfaces to ensure the product will continually comply with the accessibility standards and perform as stated by the manufacturer.

Accessibility Forum #2: Registration HERE

Jennifer Skulski has over 30 years of experience spanning parks, recreation, tourism, and municipal government. She has demonstrated her expertise by conducting accessibility assessments for more than 1,500 recreation facilities and 50 national parks. She has also trained thousands of professionals in the inclusion of people with disabilities and published research on best practices for accessibility management. In 2014, Jennifer founded Skulski Consulting to work more closely with public entities on ADA action-planning. The Commission is confident that Jennifer’s extensive background and dedication will ensure excellent training and support in 2026.
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2025 Forum Series
Forum #4: Questions and Answers
Wednesday, November 12, 2025
11:30am - 1:00pm

Certain provisions in the ADA  Accessibility Standards are prone to misinterpretation and generate confusion on how to apply the standards. This forum will respond to your pre-submitted and live questions to help clarify common sources of confusion in the standards, including application of the standards in new construction and alterations. Potential questions can include access to recreation facilities, dining surfaces, toilet and bathing rooms, signs, accessible routes and ground surfaces, and other areas and elements. Session participants are encouraged to share their own areas of confusion and submit questions in advance of the session. 

Accessibility Forum: Questions and Answers: FORUM VIDEO
Forum Presentation Handout: FORUM HANDOUT
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​Forum #3: Picnic and Camping Facilities
Tuesday, September 30, 2025
11:30am - 1:00pm

Achieving accessibility in outdoor environments has long been a source of inquiry due to challenges and constraints posed by terrain, the degree of development, construction practices and materials, and other factors. In 2013, the U.S. Access Board issued new accessibility standards for outdoor developed areas, including specific requirements for both picnic and camping facilities on federal sites covered by the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA). The requirements for picnic and camping facilities are not included in the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) 2010 ADA Standards and have no legal effect on state and local governments and private entities subject to DOJ’s ADA regulations. However, use of the provisions for the design and construction picnic and camping facilities by state and local governments can provide a safe harbor for ensuring usability by persons with disabilities.

This forum will provide an overview of the minimum standards for picnic and camping facilities. The presenter will address participants’ questions and share common sources of confusion with these unique recreational facilities.

Accessibility Forum: Picnic and Camping Facilities:  FORUM VIDEO
Forum Presentation Handout:  FORUM HANDOUT
Forum #2: Pedestrian Trails and Shared Use Paths
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
11:30am - 1:00pm

Enjoying a hike, a bike ride, a walk, a run, or a roll along a scenic route is a healthy way to spend time. This seminar will review the differences between accessible pedestrian trails and shared use paths. This session will review the technical and scoping requirements in the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) Accessibility Standards for newly constructed or altered pedestrian trails on federal sites and that serves as a best practice for state and local government pedestrian trail facilities. Additionally, the final scoping and technical guidelines for shared use paths which are designed primarily for use by bicyclists and pedestrians for transportation and recreation purposes will be addressed. In addition to an overview of the requirements for both pedestrian trails and shared use paths, the presenter will address participants’ questions and share common sources of confusion with these unique recreational facilities.
Accessibility Forum - Trails and Paths
Forum Video
pedestrian_trails_and_shared_use_path_handout.pdf
File Size: 4156 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Forum #1: Playground Development and Maintenance
Tuesday, February 18, 2025
11:30am - 1:00pm

Meeting the minimum accessibility design standards for play and recreation areas is the first step to ensuring everyone can participate, enjoy, and experience park and play area facilities.  This seminar will review the requirements for play areas in the 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design Standards that apply to all newly designed or constructed play areas for children ages 2 and older. This session will address the scoping and technical requirements for accessible play components, ground-level and elevated accessible routes, play area surfaces, transfer systems, soft contained play structures, and water play components. Additionally, a discussion on the alteration of existing  play areas and the requirements for routine maintenance to properly identify and address potentially hazardous conditions. In addition to an overview of the play area provisions, the presenter will address participants’ questions and share common sources of confusion with accessible play areas and play area surfaces.
Accessibility Forum - Playgrounds
Forum Video
accessible_play_areas_021825.pdf
File Size: 5525 kb
File Type: pdf
Download File
Photo of Bill Botten
William "Bill" Botten, an Exercise Physiology graduate from the University of Kansas, joined the U.S. Access Board in 2000.  Recently retired, he served for 22 years as an accessibility specialist, technical assistance coordinator, and the training coordinator for the federal designated agency that develops the accessibility standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Architectural Barriers Act (ABA).  Bill specializes in accessibility issues related recreation facilities and outdoor developed areas including recreational boating and fishing facilities, pedestrian trails, picnic and camping facilities, sports facilities, and play areas. 

His training experience includes hundreds of presentations over the last 30 years to local, state, and national audiences on injury prevention, disability awareness and sensitivity, and accessibility issues.  He was part of a team that developed the combined guidelines for the ADA and ABA laws and was the lead staff for the development of guidelines for outdoor developed areas.  Additionally, he has participate on several ASTM (an accessibility standards organization) and RESNA (Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Society of North America) committees for inclusive fitness equipment and play area surfaces.
People around front of a camper cabin with person in a wheelchair on walkway
Plum Creek Park (D5)