SF5031

Purpose

This bill would require playgrounds that receive state funding to be designed and built using inclusive design and universal design principles. The goal is to ensure accessible and inclusive play opportunities for people with and without disabilities, making improvements feasible within the project’s scope and available funding.

Scope and Key Definitions

• State funding: money provided by the legislature, including appropriations and bond proceeds, or distributed through a state-administered grant program.
• Substantially renovated: replacing 50 percent or more of play equipment or changing the play area footprint, surfacing, system, or primary accessible routes.
• Playgrounds: playgrounds that are constructed or substantially renovated using state funding.
• Inclusive and universal design: design approaches that aim to support participation by a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities.

Main Provisions

1) Requirement for universal design - Playgrounds funded by state money must incorporate universal design principles to ensure accessible and inclusive play opportunities for both individuals with disabilities and those without, to the maximum extent feasible given project scope and funding.

2) Inclusive design considerations - Planning and design must address: - Accessible routes and travel surfaces - Play equipment and activities for a wide range of physical, sensory, and cognitive abilities - Sensory play opportunities - Signage and wayfinding within or near the playground - Seating, gathering areas, and caregiver supervision spaces - Shade, shelter, and environmental comfort - Accessible amenities such as restrooms, benches, and picnic areas

3) Universal design principles - Projects must incorporate the Seven Principles of Universal Design as defined by the Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University, or equivalent inclusive design standards.

4) Design expertise - The playground design must be reviewed by someone with demonstrated expertise in playground safety, accessibility, or inclusive design. This may include a certified playground safety inspector or a Minnesota-certified accessibility specialist.

5) Implementation guidance - The Department of Natural Resources, in collaboration with the Minnesota Council on Disability, may develop guidance and best practices to support implementing inclusive and universally designed playgrounds funded with state money. - Guidance may include recommendations on accessible surfacing, ground-level components, transfer systems, and ensuring proportional accessibility based on playground size and complexity.

Significant changes to existing law

• Establishes a new statewide requirement (for 256.4823) that all state-funded playground projects follow inclusive and universal design standards.
• Defines when the requirements apply (for state-funded construction or substantial renovation) and what counts as substantial renovation (50% or more of equipment or major changes to footprint, surfacing, system, or routes).
• Introduces an oversight mechanism: design must be reviewed by qualified professionals, and state agencies may issue implementation guidance with practical recommendations.

Implementation and Oversight (summary)

• State agencies (notably the Department of Natural Resources) would oversee and guide the application of universal design in funded playgrounds.
• Expert review and guidance would help ensure compliance with inclusive design standards across projects.

Relevant Terms - inclusive design - universal design - state funding - playgrounds - accessible routes - travel surfaces - play equipment - sensory play - signage - wayfinding - seating - gathering areas - caregiver supervision - shade - shelter - environmental comfort - accessible amenities - Seven Principles of Universal Design - Center for Universal Design (NC State University) - Minnesota Council on Disability - Department of Natural Resources - certified playground safety inspector - Minnesota certified accessibility specialist - ground-level play components - transfer systems - proportional accessibility - implementation guidance