When designing your backyard space, making sure that it is accessible for all potential situations is a wise decision. Whether you have family members with mobility issues or are simply considering long-term life changes, access for those with physical challenges is easily facilitated with a few landscaping accommodations. Make sure to consider these specific issues as you design your Plainview, NY, backyard with an eye toward accessibility.
Smooth and Even Walkways
Your landscape design master plan will include separate zones for different activities within your backyard. Moving from one zone of the yard to another should be made easier with the construction of walkways throughout your property, linking each area that you plan to enjoy. Further, these walkways should be smooth enough for a wheelchair to roll while still offering enough friction to be non-slip for walkers or those walking. Consistent upkeep of these walkways will ensure that all guests feel welcome in your home and on your property.
Ample Patio Space for Maneuverability
Your patio space should always include enough area for a wheelchair to maneuver. Furniture should be relegated to a specific space, with areas for traffic clearly defined and kept clear. Storage for patio amenities should be made available for all items; keeping the way clear is essential. Whether you plan for permanent seating or moveable outdoor furniture, include ample space for navigating the area as you determine the appropriate dimensions for the room.
Include Inclines as Needed
As the plane of your yard changes, you should consider the level of difficulty faced by those attempting to navigate your landscape. When the incline suggests that assistance is needed, have the walkway construction adjusted appropriately. You might also do away with steps, foregoing them in favor of an inclined plane, or simply add railings to existing stairs depending on accessibility requirements of the affected individual. Even if stairs aren’t an issue now, chances are someone in your household will face this issue at some point in the future. Plan ahead for minimal inconvenience and future alteration during the beginning phases of your design.
Hang Your Plantings
Instead of ground-level planting beds that simply can’t be managed by someone with mobility issues, hang plantings and elevate beds. Make it possible for those who love gardening to continue with this hobby even when movement becomes difficult. Alternatively, you might consider a combination where you include lowered beds and higher beds; this choice meets all needs while enhancing depth and diversity of the landscape.
Inspect for Access in All Situations
Finally, the prime way to add accessibility to your landscape is to plan for it and bring in an expert to inspect for its inclusion. Above All consists of a team of professionals in the field with the experience and education necessary to address issues of access to the landscape. These experts will be able to lay or check over your plans, as well as build or inspect the finished projects to identify potential problems before they might be faced by one with significant mobility problems in real life.
