10-27-88 Agenda & Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMO TO: PARKS AND RECREATION COMMISSION FROM: MARY SAARION, DIRECTOR PARKS, RECREATION AND FORESTRY 11/ DATE: OCTOBER 3, 1988 SUBJECT: HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBILITY/USABILITY IN THE PARK There is a definite difference between accessibility and usability for handicapped persons. Accessibility simply means that persons with walking impairments or those in wheelchairs can enter the park and get from place to place. Usability is a much broader concept that provides the opportunity for many persons having different handicaps to participate in park activities using park facilities. Handicaps may include persons who are blind, deaf, walking impaired (using aides) or wheelchair users. While park accessibility is desireable and is mandated for new development regarding public facilities, it is not sufficient. Persons with handicaps must be given the opportunity to participate in recreational endeavors. In order to provide this opportunity, parks must not only be handicapped accessible but also usable. In early June , I toured the parks with two colleages, Bob Szyman, Director of Sports and Recreation at Courage Center, and Sue Henricks, Sports and Recreation Assistant at the Courage Center. Sue toured Mounds View parks in her wheelchair and pointed out several facilities which she could or could not use and suggested improvements. Here is a list of needs which were noted that day: Priority #1 Handicapped Water Fountains - Most wheelchair users have kidney dysfunction and require more water replenishment than others. Water accessibility is a must. Priority 412 Easily maneuverable pathways - Wheelchair or walking impaired need access to areas by means of passageways. Asphalt or concrete are best but hard surface ag-lime or dirt are negotiable. Woodchips, sand, rock or pea gravel are almost impossible to access. Priority #3 Entrances to facilities must be barrier-free - This includes entrances to tennis courts, into tot lot areas, buildings, picnic shelters, etc. Care must be taken to allow adequate space for wheelchair passage through fence gates; tennis courts for instance. Priority #4 Access to portable restrooms- The larger handicapped accessible portable restrooms must be available. Priority #5 Parking lot - Parking lots must have handicapped parking areas according to code and must also have curb cuts. Priority #6 Usable play equipment - Suggestions for play equipment are: • - Hand swings. - Raised sandbox. - Monkey bars reachable by persons in wheelchairs. - Rails leading from one play piece to the other for blind users. - No boundary timbers for walking impaired. - Boardwalks for easy passage to and from play pieces.