Provide an outdoor space with amenities

Rationale: Accessible outdoor areas with amenities such as water features, greenery, artwork, tables, and seating are used more frequently by individuals and groups, and this use is associated with positive health outcomes including lower blood pressure and diminished stress.

Requirements

Demonstrate compliance with one of the options below:

Option 1 - Outdoor Space and Amenities for All Occupants (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all of the following requirements:

1. Provide access to a minimum of one outdoor space with amenities that is free of charge to all building occupants.
2. Ensure that the open outdoor space is one of the following:

• park
• plaza
• rooftop
• patio.

3. Include a minimum of two of the following amenities within the identified outdoor space: 

• furniture
• art installation
• pedestrian pathway
• dedicated bicycle path
• water feature.

4. Locate the outdoor space amenity within a 1/4-mile or 800-meter walking route of a main building entrance(s).

For facilities with memory care community residents, locate the outdoor fitness area in one of the following:

• a secure and enclosed area on-site
• on-site or within a 1/4-mile or 400-meter walking route of a main building entrance, and require residents to be accompanied by a staff member.

For facilities with memory care community residents, the secure and enclosed space may be used for all  occupants.

Option 2 - Outdoor Space and Amenities for Independent and Assisted Living Residents Only - (Partial Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

1. Provide access to a minimum of one outdoor space with amenities that is free of charge to all building occupants.

2. Ensure that the open outdoor space is one of the following:g occupants.

• park
• plaza
• rooftop
• patio.

3. Include a minimum of two of the following amenities within the identified outdoor space: 

• furniture
• art installation
• pedestrian pathway
• dedicated bicycle path
• water feature.

4. Locate the outdoor space amenity within a 1/4-mile or 800-meter walking route of a main building entrance(s).

Compliance Documentation

Types of compliance documentation required:

• Annotated plans
• Annotated maps
• Annotated design drawings
• Annotated photographs