Most public picnic tables are designed with a one-size-fits-all mindset, and unfortunately that often leaves wheelchair users with limited or no access. The few “accessible” versions that do exist typically allow space for just a single wheelchair, and rarely consider the wide range of wheelchair sizes or the possibility that more than one wheelchair user might want to share the table at the same time.
This project rethinks the classic picnic table with inclusivity at its core. The design preserves the familiar A-frame form, but adapts it to create seating that is equally welcoming to wheelchair users and non-wheelchair users. To maximize flexibility, the benches are fully removable—when not needed, they can be stored neatly on hooks at the ends of the frame. This allows the table to adapt to different group sizes, mobility needs, and social settings, without losing the recognizable feel of a traditional picnic table.
By addressing both accessibility and usability, this design aims to make public gathering spaces more equitable, comfortable, and truly communal.