03. Outdoor Space - Outdoor Recreation Area

Provide occupants access to an outdoor recreation area

Rationale: Outdoor recreation areas located within walking distance offer increased opportunities for social interaction and physical activity, contributing to diminished risk of cardiovascular disease as well as improved mood and lower levels of anxiety.

For the most accurate strategy and documentation requirements, please refer to the digital scorecard made available on the Fitwel Platform.

Requirements

Requirement Guidance

For buildings with multiple entrances, identify a main building entrance that is used to access a common area within the building such as a lobby, reception area, or main circulation pathway.

Demonstrate compliance with the option below:

Option 1 - Outdoor Recreation Areas Near All Buildings (Full Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide a minimum of one outdoor recreation area that is free of charge to all residential occupants and is a space specifically designed for sport or exercise.

   Qualifying outdoor recreation areas may include but are not limited to the following:

   • sports fields or courts (such as basketball courts, baseball fields, football fields, or soccer fields)
   • fixed outdoor fitness equipment (such as outdoor stationary bicycles, air walkers or sit-up boards)
   • mobile fitness equipment (such as free-weights, yoga mats, or other exercise equipment) that is secure from theft or loss and accessible at all times
   • outdoor swimming pools with lap lanes that operate year-round.
2. Ensure that the outdoor recreation area is accessible at all times during daytime hours.
3. Locate the outdoor recreation area within a 1/2-mile or 800-meter walking route from a main building entrance of each building within the project.

Option 2- Recreation Area Nearby 51% of Buildings (Partial Credit):

Demonstrate compliance with all the following requirements:

Low-Rise Residential with shared interior spaces (LR+), Low-Rise Residential with no shared interior spaces (LR)

1. Provide a minimum of one outdoor recreation area that is free of charge to all residential occupants and is a space specifically designed for sport or exercise.

   Qualifying outdoor recreation areas may include but are not limited to the following:

   • sports fields or courts (such as basketball courts, baseball fields, football fields, or soccer fields)
   • fixed outdoor fitness equipment (such as outdoor stationary bicycles, air walkers or sit-up boards)
   • mobile fitness equipment (such as free-weights, yoga mats, or other exercise equipment) that is secure from theft or loss and accessible at all times
   • outdoor swimming pools with lap lanes that operate year-round.
2. Ensure that the outdoor recreation area is accessible at all times during daytime hours.
3. Locate the outdoor recreation area within a 1/2-mile or 800-meter walking route from a main building entrance of 51% of building(s) within the project.

Compliance Documentation

Design Pathway (LR+, LR)

Option 1

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area will be free of charge to all residential occupants.      
  • Upload design drawings or photographs showing the type of sport or exercise that will be available.      
• Requirement 2:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area will be accessible at all times during daytime hours.      
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map showing the distance from a main entrance of the furthest building and the planned outdoor recreation area.        

Option 2

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area will be free of charge to all residential occupants.      
  • Upload design drawings or photographs showing the type of sport or exercise that will be available.
• Requirement 2:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area will be accessible at all times during daytime hours.
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map showing the distance from a main entrance of the furthest building and the planned outdoor recreation area.

Built Pathway (LR+, LR)

Option 1

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area is free of charge to all residential occupants.      
  • Upload annotated photographs showing the type of sport or exercise that is available.      
• Requirement 2:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area is accessible at all times during daytime hours.      
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map showing the distance from a main entrance of the furthest building and the outdoor recreation area.        

Option 2

• Requirement 1:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area is free of charge to all residential occupants.  
  • Upload annotated photographs showing the type of sport or exercise that is available.
• Requirement 2:
  • Checkbox to certify that the outdoor recreation area is accessible at all times during daytime hours.
• Requirement 3:
  • Upload an annotated map showing the distance from a main entrance of the furthest building and the outdoor recreation area.