Handicap Accessible Picnic Table

Description

A picnic table a wheelchair can roll right up to

Most picnic tables leave the person in the wheelchair parked at a corner. This one fixes that with a single change to the classic 8 ft A-frame: the top runs 17-3/8″ past the frame on one end with no bench across it, so a wheelchair rolls straight in under the table and sits at the table like everyone else. The top is at 30″, inside the 28″ to 34″ range accessible dining surfaces use. It’s built from pressure-treated 2x lumber with screws, in one Saturday, for about $130.

What you get

• Printable PDF plan, instant download
• Overall dimensions plus the accessibility clearances, side by side with the standard
• Complete cut list, including the two angled cuts (30° legs, 27° braces)
• Step-by-step diagrams from the tabletop to the benches
• Tools and lumber shopping list

Specs

• Overall size: 96″ long x 37-1/4″ wide x 30″ tall
• Bench length: 69-1/4″ (the rest of the length is the roll-under end)
• Knee clearance: 28-1/2″ under the top at the open end
• Toe clearance: 17-3/8″ overhang past the frame
• Build time: 1 Saturday
• Skill level: Beginner
• Estimated lumber cost: about $130 (October 2026 pricing)

Lumber you’ll need

• 5 boards, 2x8x8′ pressure-treated (tabletop)
• 4 boards, 2x6x8′ pressure-treated (legs and bench tops)
• 1 board, 2x6x12′ pressure-treated (seat supports)
• 2 boards, 2x4x8′ pressure-treated (cleats and braces)

Hardware

• 2-1/2″ exterior wood screws, ACQ rated for treated lumber
• Optional: 3/8″ x 3-1/2″ carriage bolts for beefier leg joints

Tools you’ll need

• Drill/driver
• Miter saw or circular saw
• Tape measure and pencil
• Safety glasses and hearing protection

Common questions

Is it ADA compliant? It’s built to the dimensions in the federal accessibility standards for outdoor dining surfaces: table height, knee clearance, knee width and toe depth. It’s a homemade table, not a certified product, so if it’s going into a park, school or other public facility, check the finished table against the standards and your local requirements.

Can I build it from cedar? Yes. Cedar roughly doubles the lumber cost and skips the treatment chemicals. Either way, use exterior screws rated for the wood you pick.

How many people does it seat? Three adults on each 69-1/4″ bench, plus a wheelchair at the open end.

Want to read through the build first? The full walkthrough is on the blog: wheelchair accessible picnic table plans. Building for a backyard instead? Compare all of our outdoor table plans.