Parks are spaces often visited by children and families, but often toilets, if they exist at all, do not cater for their needs. This scene focuses primarily on access for a range of families.
Park Toilets
Changing facilities in spaces for all genders
Baby change facilities are often only provided in women's toilets, which means that fathers, trans parents and disabled parents often find it difficult to find places to change children. Changing facilities should be in toilets for all genders and accessible to disabled parents.
Facilities for disabled parents to change their children
Disabled parents may want to change their children in park toilets so wheelchair accessible baby and adult changers should be provided. If provided in a disabled toilet, this should not impede on the area requirements.
Changing facilities for older disabled children, young people and adults
Some disabled children, young people and adults may need changing facilities too. Without access to adult changing facilities, some people are forced to stay at home or have to be changed on the toilet floor.
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Appropriate facilities in changing spaces
Ensure that nappy disposal bins and handwashing and drying facilities are available, and consider including dispensers for baby wipes to make using such facilities easier for parents and carers.
Shelves and hooks in changing spaces
Carers often have to carry changing equipment with them when out with their children. Adequate space, chairs for other children and the provision of shelves and hooks means that they don't have to sit their other children/put items on unclean toilet floors.
Spaces for nursing/breastfeeding
Offering a comfortable space for parents who want more privacy when feeding their children, outside of toilets and changing facilities, is important.
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Managing noise
The noise of hand dryers, and their unpredictability when accidentally turned on, can be stressful and painful for some people, including but not limited to people with autism or hearing impairments.
Ensure hand dryers do not impede on navigational space.
Family Facilities
Offering separate family facilities outside of the male, female and disabled toilets allows parents of a different gender to their children, and non-binary and trans parents and children, to use toilets together without discomfort.
Private and communal options for washing
It is important that there are facilities for washing in private cubicles.
This can provide an option for private washing and minimises the possibility of people's presence in toilet spaces being questioned by others in relation to gender identity.
Keeping toilets clean
Toilets are not comfortable spaces if they are not cleaned regularly and thoroughly.
It is useful to think about the cleaning of toilets in the early stages of the design process, with easy to clean surfaces and facilities.
Taps and soaps dispensers which are easy to reach and use
Taps and soap dispensers should be within reach and simple to use. This allows people who have limited reach and dexterity to use these facilities easily.
Taps and soaps dispensers which are easy to reach and use
Taps and soap dispensers should be within reach and simple to use. This allows people who have limited reach and dexterity to use these facilities easily.
Natural Daylight
The design of toilet spaces is often overlooked, and they can be dark and unpleasant spaces to use. Consider the importance of windows or skylights to bring natural light into the space.
Mirrors at appropriate heights for different users
Mirrors can sometimes be positioned too high for a person in a wheelchair or too low for other people. Consider using full-length mirrors that meet the requirements of many users.