Understanding Berms, Ramps, and Transfer Stations: Meeting ADA Playground Requirements

By Derick Hancock

Instead of feeling like “you can’t play here” zones, playgrounds should be launchpads for fun where every child gets a fair shot at adventure. At PlaygroundEquipment.com, we believe every child deserves a space where fun and freedom are always within reach. That’s why we go beyond minimum standards, designing playgrounds that spark creativity, ensure safety, and welcome children of all abilities.

Think of this as your playbook for the essentials of ADA-compliant playground berms, ramps, and transfer stations, demonstrating how they transform compliance into genuine accessibility. These elements aren’t just rules; they’re gateways to independence, friendship, and play for all.

What Is ADA Compliance for Playgrounds and Why It Matters

ADA compliance isn’t just a legal requirement; it’s a promise that every child, regardless of ability, has the right to play, explore, and belong. An ADA-compliant playground removes barriers, making sure children with mobility devices, sensory challenges, or other disabilities can participate fully in the fun. True inclusivity goes beyond checking off regulations; it’s about creating equal opportunities for discovery, friendship, and growth. By integrating features like ADA playground berms, ramps, and transfer stations, playgrounds become environments where every child can feel confident, independent, and engaged side by side with their playmates.

Berms: The Gentle Hills That Open Doors to Play

Berms are more than sloped mounds of earth; they’re playful pathways that give children of all abilities access to elevated play areas. Instead of steps, berms provide a gradual incline, making it easier for kids using wheelchairs or walkers to reach slides, towers, and other elevated features.

3 Key ADA Rules for Berms

1. Gentle slopes → Berms should rise gradually, making it easy for kids using wheelchairs or mobility devices to move uphill without struggle.
2. Safe surfaces → The path must be firm, stable, and slip-resistant. Materials like poured rubber or engineered wood fiber work especially well to keep movement smooth and secure.
3. Extra protection → Handrails aren’t required on berms, but adding edge protection is encouraged whenever there’s a drop-off, keeping the play space safe for everyone.

Why Berms Matter for Kids

Berms create inclusive access, allowing children with mobility devices to reach elevated play spaces without relying on ramps or stairs. They also add a layer of natural fun, as kids love running up, rolling down, and treating them as part of the adventure. Because berms blend seamlessly into playground designs, they never feel like an “add-on” for accessibility—they look and function like part of the landscape. And perhaps best of all, berms encourage shared play, letting children of all abilities move together side by side.

Ramps: The Bridges That Make Every Adventure Possible

Ramps are the true connectors of a playground, turning what could be barriers into open doors. They make sure children of all abilities can reach elevated play spaces like slides, towers, and climbers—without missing out on the fun.

Ramp Rules Made Simple: ADA Specs Every Playground Needs

1. Maximum rise per run → A ramp can only climb a short distance before it has to level off, keeping the incline safe and easy to manage.
2. Maximum slope → Ramps must stretch far enough forward for every bit of height gained, creating a gentle, wheelchair-friendly slope instead of a steep climb.
3. Minimum clear width → Ramps are designed wide enough for wheelchairs, mobility devices, and even side-by-side play, so everyone has room to move.

Landing Zones: Rest Stops for Every Ramp Adventure

1. Top and bottom landings → Every ramp needs a flat “rest stop” at the beginning and end, giving kids plenty of room to pause or prepare for the next move.
2. Turning landings → When a ramp changes direction, it must have a spacious square landing, so wheelchairs can turn smoothly without feeling cramped.
3. Maneuvering space → Near elevated play features, at least one flat area must stay level, making it easy for kids to roll up, pause, or join in play comfortably.

Handrail Helpers: Guiding Every Step of the Way

1. Both sides covered → Ramps need handrails on both sides, so kids always have steady support whether they’re going up or down.
2. Room to grip → Handrails must have enough clearance from nearby surfaces to make sure little (and big) hands can hold on comfortably.
3. Smooth and continuous → Handrails should run the full length of the ramp without breaks, giving kids a steady guide from start to finish.

Why Ramps Matter for Kids

Ramps don’t just check an ADA box because they also create pathways to independence. With a ramp in place, a child using a wheelchair can approach and access elevated components on their own, while friends can walk right alongside them. Thoughtfully designed ramps with gentle slopes and sturdy handrails help every child feel confident and secure as they navigate the playground. These bridges of play make sure no one is left behind.

Transfer Stations: The Stepping Stones to Elevated Play

Not every playground needs a full ramp system, and that’s where transfer stations shine. These features allow children to move from a wheelchair or mobility device directly onto a play structure, creating a safe and practical alternative to ramps. They’re especially helpful in smaller playgrounds where space is limited.

In larger playgrounds, transfer stations often work alongside ramps, giving kids multiple ways to reach elevated play features. In smaller playgrounds, they can take on a bigger role by ensuring that a wide range of elevated elements remain accessible without the need for long ramps.

Key Parts of a Transfer System

1. Transfer Platform → This is the “starting spot” where kids move from a wheelchair or mobility device onto the play structure. It’s designed to be level, sturdy, and big enough to park a wheelchair right next to it for an easy transfer.
2. Transfer Steps → From the platform, steps help children climb up into the structure. They’re built wide and steady, with a gentle rise so kids can move up safely and confidently.
3. Transfer Supports → Handrails or grips are included along the platform and steps. These give kids something solid to hold onto, helping them pull, push, or balance as they make their way onto the play equipment.

Why Transfer Stations Matter

Transfer stations make sure elevated play isn’t off-limits. They give kids with mobility devices the chance to reach slides, climbers, and towers while encouraging independence. By minimizing distance to the nearest play feature, these stations reduce barriers and keep the flow of fun moving. And when designed with playful details, they don’t just feel functional; they feel like part of the adventure.

Pathways to Play: Surfacing and Safety That Keep Kids Moving

Creating an ADA-compliant playground isn’t just about ramps, berms, or transfer stations; it’s also about the pathways that connect everything. Ground-level play features like swings or spring riders must link to accessible routes so every child can get to them with ease.

The surface beneath those routes matters just as much as the equipment. Materials like poured-in-place rubber, rubber tiles, or engineered wood fiber are designed to be both wheelchair-friendly and impact-absorbing, keeping kids safe as they explore. On the other hand, loose-fill materials like sand or mulch may look playful, but often fall short when it comes to accessibility or cushioning.

And finally, maintenance matters. Engineered wood fiber may need occasional top-offs to stay level and firm, while rubber surfaces typically offer long-term durability with less upkeep. Keeping surfaces in good condition ensures kids of all abilities can move freely, and play never has to stop.

Let’s Build Playgrounds Without Limits

Who says accessibility can’t be fun? Berms become hills to race up, ramps turn into bridges to adventure, and transfer stations serve as stepping stones to new heights. Every inclusive feature has the power to spark independence, friendship, and laughter.

At PlaygroundEquipment.com, we bring those moments to life with designs that welcome every child. Ready to make it happen? Contact us today, and let’s create playgrounds that are accessible, engaging, and unforgettable.

Discover More About Accessible Fun

1. Adaptive and Inclusive Playground Equipment
   https://www.playgroundequipment.com/products/commercial-playgrounds/accessible/ 
2. Tips to Create a Wheelchair Accessible Playground
   https://www.playgroundequipment.com/tips-to-create-a-wheelchair-accessible-playground/ 
3. A Guide to Accessibility in the Playground
   https://www.playgroundequipment.com/guide-to-accessibility-on-the-playground/ 
4. Fully Accessible Play Systems: Dream Playgrounds Without Limits
   https://www.playgroundequipment.com/products/commercial-playgrounds/play-systems/fully-accessible/  
5. Creating a Wheelchair Accessible Playground
   https://www.playgroundequipment.com/creating-wheelchair-accessible/ 

Bonus Resources for ADA Accessibility

1. Guide to the ADA Accessibility Standards
   https://www.access-board.gov/ada/guides/chapter-10-play-areas/ 
2. 2010 ADA Standards for Accessible Design
   https://www.ada.gov/law-and-regs/design-standards/2010-stds/ 
3. Surfacing the Accessible Playground: 7 Things Every Playground Owner Should Know About the Accessibility of Their Playground Surfaces
   https://www.access-board.gov/ada/guides/chapter-10-play-surfaces/ 
4. Spotlight on Accessible Recreation Spaces
   https://www.ada.gov/ada-standards-highlights/ 
5. Play Areas Webinars by the U.S. Access Board
   https://www.access-board.gov/webinars/2021/05/06/play-areas/