How Landscapers Near Me Improve the Accessibility of Outdoor Living Spaces in Bristol and Newport RI Areas
Accessibility makes a backyard space more enjoyable for everyone, from moms with babies in strollers, to handicapped people, to the elderly using walkers and canes. Here’s how landscapers near me improve the accessibility of outdoor living areas in Bristol and Newport, RI, areas.
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1. Wider Walkways
Walkways that are wide enough to comfortably accommodate wheelchair-bound guests or family members will give them easy access to the front door, backyard patio, and other areas of the landscape. Accessible walkways should be at least 42 inches wide if there are any retaining walls or dense plantings (such as boxwoods) immediately adjacent to the walkway. This is only 6 inches wider than the standard interior hallway.
Take advantage of this opportunity to experiment with artistic paver layouts, inlays, and borders. A wide walkway could be visually narrowed by adding a contrasting border that uses a darker or lighter paver one row in from the outer edge, and finishing the look using the same pavers as the main field.
2. Smooth, Non-Slip Surfaces
Accessibility doesn’t have to mean boring poured concrete or slick asphalt on walkways or patios. Today, you can find high-end concrete pavers in large format sizes such as 24 inch squares that can be used to provide smooth yet non-slip passage through the landscape.
Choose large format pavers that don’t have beveled edges for added smoothness, and ensure that they have a non-slip surface for greater traction. Large pavers could be laid in a diamond pattern to create an attractive walkway.
Brushed-finish pavers will also give secure footing. Avoid traditional clay brick, since it can become slippery when wet.
3. Easy grade changes
Some excavation may be needed to provide walkways that can safely navigate sloped yards. Since hills can be difficult to walk, offer plenty of seating along the way to give people a place to rest along the way. A bench with an attractive view can make the journey up and down hills much more pleasant.
4. Natural movement
People don’t walk in right angles (going straight and then making abrupt 90-degree turns), yet many walkways are constructed with right angles. This can make it more difficult to navigate the walkway using a wheelchair. Instead, rounded corners will create easy movement through the landscape.
5. Obstacle-free patios
Instead of cluttering a patio with lounge chairs and dining furniture, consider using bar seating beside the grill station (add a bar if needed, to accommodate both abled and disabled guests). This can eliminate the need for a dining table. And, you can also add seating in the form of seat walls. To increase comfort, use high-backed seat walls and provide cushions and pillows; a well-made masonry seat wall can be surprisingly comfortable.
6. Raised bed planters
Narrow, raised bed planters offer everyone easy access to gardens. Beds that are chair height offer a comfortable reach from a wheelchair or from the ledge. Offering a generous ledge to sit on is a bonus for elderly gardeners. Herbs, vegetables, or flowers can be enjoyed at arm’s reach. Be sure to construct the spaces around them for easy movement, with wide pathways between individual planters.
7. Less grass
You can create a magical backyard sanctuary by eliminating a large portion of grass and replacing it with native plants and xeriscaping, and installing walkways that meander through the softscape so people can get up close and personal with nature.
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