Stopping

It is probable that whoever attends playgrounds may feel the need to quench their thirst. For this reason drinking fountains are located around the area. There is a wide-range of drinking fountains available on the market, with very different features.
In whatever shape or form it should guarantee the possibility of getting hold of and holding oneself up, to get close, in safety, to the jets, and not to slip on the wet paving.
The point from which the water comes out should project outwards enough from the unit to be accessible also to those in a wheelchair. If it is a jet, it should be located at a height that can be reached also stretching out from a wheelchair (there is no reason why the same fountain should not have more jets at different heights).
If the fountain does not have a continuous jet, but a knob that must be turned to make the water come out, this must be located in a comfortable position, and not require too much physical effort or particular ability or skill to operate. Often there are park taps activated by a button, which needs to be pressed constantly for the whole time the water is supplied. This system, certainly useful for limiting the waste of drinking water, may not be easy to use for all. It is better to use commands with delayed closure or time release.
The drinking foundations should be reachable by routes that are suitable also for people with visual impairments, and must be adequately signalled at the place itself and on any maps (for further information on the type of route check the chapter “Routes and pavings”).