My friend Lisa loves to go to the park on sunny summer afternoons, but it isn't always easy for her to do. Lisa must always have the help of her friends and family to undertake even such a small adventure. For my friend is confined to a wheelchair, and unable to overcome many of the barriers (curbs, high water fountains and steps) that she encounters in the park.

Many of our parks and recreational areas are not designed for the 18 to 68 million physically handicapped people in the United States, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development's access to the environment May, 1978 publication. It is astonishing to think "that physical barriers in the environment are limiting the activities of more than one out of every four Americans." (barrier free site design published by U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development)

Some of us upon hearing the words "physically handicapped" think only in terms of people in wheel chairs. But handicapped encompasses a much broader range. Handicapped can refer to a mother pushing a baby carriage, a pregnant woman unable to climb a flight of stairs, or an elderly person with a heart problem. There are the deaf, the blind, the mentally retarded and victims of many diseases. All of us at some point in our lives will be permanently or temporarily handicapped. A slip on the ice, a fall from a tree or the process of aging will all physically impair us to a certain degree. So, although we may not find these barriers a problem in our own lives now, it is certain that at some point in our life we will be affected by their presence. An awareness needs to be promoted so that people are knowledgable of the barriers that exist that make it impossible for the handicapped person to move about freely.

Local park districts can do a great deal in creating this awareness in their community and government. Joseph Konitzki, Associate Director of the University of Illinois Rehabilitation Center says it is the responsibility of the architect to know the guidelines set up by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the responsibility of the designated committee that accepts the park plan, to be aware of the barriers that limit the handicapped's use of the parks. These are the people that make the final decisions in a parks development. But it is the community's responsibility to carry to these people any suggestions that they may have. For it is only after an awareness that a problem exists that the problem can get the attention and commitment it deserves.

There has to be a concerted effort to bring the local community together to activate a program of accessibility. Some communities may be afraid to venture into any plan that would be costly. Studies have been done throughout the country to show the costs involved in the construction improvements of new and existing park areas. These analyses show that the additional money required is a small amount in relation to the cost of the whole plan.

For example, it has been found that there is no additional cost to place a curb cut in a standard curb and gutter during construction. Constructing a ramp from parking lot to sidewalk in conjunction with sidewalk and gutter also entails no extra cost.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, Volume I, access to the environment, cites several other examples of barrier removal. On the University of Michigan campus, a mid-block curb cut (48" wide) was made after the curb and sidewalk was completed cost $2500. A corner cut at the apex of right angle joint curbs was $1000 when requiring the removal and replacement of original curbs and sidewalks. A ramp to compensate for 1 to 3 steps usually costs $100 to $200 in 1975. Ramps from 4 to 6 steps high cost approximately $1000. Of course these costs will vary somewhat due to regional differences and inflation.

The University of Illinois at Champaign has done a great deal to make its campus very accessible to the handicapped. The University's Physical Plant Department has made available cost figures and an estimating guide for various site elements. The May 1978, access to the environment says on this campus, a curb ramp approximately 4' wide, of a standard shape, can be constructed in quantity at a cost of approximately $100 each... Individually, the labor cost per unit would be higher.

Wooden ramps have been used over short flights of steps to make buildings accessible to those in wheel chairs. For a ramp with a vertical rise of 15", and a horizontal run of 15' (to climb over three 5" risers), four feet wide, the cost was about $450, including all supports, railings, paint, etc. These temporary ramps have a life span of 10 to 15 years, or more if painted regularly. The work described was done by the Physical Plant Department employees. Although these barriers

Illinois Parks and Recreation 6 May/June, 1979

cited are on a college campus, they are many of the same barriers that exist in parks.

Documents setting standards on outdoor recreation for the physically handicapped have been prepared by the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation of the Department of the Interior and the New York State Council on Parks and Outdoor Recreation.

Some suggestions for making park and recreational areas more accessible to the handicapped include: lowered drinking fountains and telephones, curb ramps, ramps, handrails, grab bars in restrooms, wider parking spaces, nature trails of asphalt surface, guide ropes along trails and benches off walkways. Drop off areas should also be avoided. Anyone of these steps will mean a great deal to the handicapped person in his enjoyment of our parks.

There are several ways to acquire money for these projects other than on a local level. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides block grants and comprehensive planning grants which can be used to plan accessible areas and facilities for the handicapped.

Recipients of the comprehensive planning grant must be government agencies engaged in comprehensive planning. Every two years the plan is reviewed. Requirements for applicants of these grants are available from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

It is society's responsibility to provide accessible recreational areas for the handicapped person. Everyone will benefit from these improvements. The handicapped person will have less discomfort in getting about and greater independence. He will be able to participate in a greater variety of activities. His family and friends will not need to supervise and assist him as much.

Many areas have already done a great deal in making their recreational areas barrier free. The Illinois Department of Conservation, Division of Parks and Memorials in Springfield publishes a list of all the parks in Illinois and historical memorials that are accessible to the handicapped and in what ways they are accessible. For example, a particular park may allow a handicapped person access to the actual grounds to use the picnic tables but its swimming facilities may not be designed for the handicapped person.

We must continue to create an awareness of the need for barrier free parks so that more and more handicapped people can enjoy the great outdoors. Our combined efforts will make it possible for my friend Lisa and other handicapped people to move about freely and safely in our many beautiful parks.

Illinois Parks and Recreation 7 May/June, 1979