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OUR NATURAL RESOURCES NEWS BRIEFS
In response to the recent Casey Martin decision to allow use of a golf cart on the Professional Golf Association Tour, the National Park Service (NPS) sent the DNR's Division of Grant Administration general information and guidance regarding the use of carts on golf course fairways by individuals with disabilities. In the letter, NPS states: "(The case) has brought unprecedented focus on the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Accordingly, we believe it is timely for consideration of this issue as it also relates to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended. Section 504 applies to all recipients of Federal financial assistance under the Land and Water Conservation Fund program." Since NPS has been delegated jurisdiction for all activities relating to public parks and recreation (and, thus, all recipients of LWCF grants), its information and guidance on the subject should be of interest to readers of Illinois Parks & Recreation magazine. To obtain a copy of the full seven-page "Issue Clarification," contact NPS Equal Opportunity Program at 202.208.7821 (phone) or Jack_Andre@NPS.gov (e-mail). Following is an excerpt from the "Issue Clarification" regarding access for individuals with disabilities to the game of golf: "The NPS Equal Opportunity Program has received 4 complaints, since July of 1996, relating to the game of golf. These complaints regarded access to the fairways via golf carts. "After much research and discussion with complainants, state and local officials, Department of Justice Disability Rights Section staff, and professional association staff, it was decided in each of these cases that both section 504 and Title II of the ADA provide that a public entity shall make reasonable modifications to policies and practices when the modifications are necessary to avoid discrimination on the basis of disability, unless to do so would alter the administration burden (significant difficulty or expense after considering the total financial and other resources of the entity) (2B CER Part 35.130 (7);35.150.(a)(3)).... "In each of these cases it could not be substantiated by cost analysis or other information, that allowing golf carts of golfers with disabilities onto the fairways met any of these exceptions." Related issues discussed in the "Issue Clarification" include: related costs due to turf damage; carts do not change the fundamental nature of the game; NPS jurisdiction; comprehensive nature of the requirements of Section 504 and the ADA; closure of a course; cart-path restriction due to weather; determination of a qualified person with a disability; individuals with a disability of Multiple Chemical Sensitivity; provision of accessible carts; pace of play.
The Department of Natural Resources' new Rent-A-Camp Cabins may be the perfect solution. Four rustic cabins at DNR Class A campgrounds have just received their finishing touches, and a fifth is under construction. The primitive, two-room cabins are equipped with only the bare essentials: one full-sized bed with mattress, two sets of bunk beds with mattresses, an electric heater, a drop-leaf table with chairs, and a ceiling fan. Each cabin is handicapped accessible and can be approached via vehicle. Showers, electricity, charcoal grills and picnic tables are available at the campgrounds; however, campers must bring their own bed linens and personal items. Dogs and other pets are not allowed. The cabins rent for $35 per night, which includes $24 for the cabin, a $3 utility fee and an $8 camping fee. Additionally, a $5 nonrefundable reservation fee is required at the time the reservation is made. Cabins are located at the following sites: Chain O'Lakes State Park, 8916 Wilmot Road, Spring Grove, Ill. 60081, phone 847.587.5512; Shabbona Lake State Park, 4201 Shabbona Grove Road, Shabbona, Ill. 60550, phone 815.824.2106; Stephen A. Forbes State Park, 6924 Omega Road, Kinmundy, Ill. 62854, phone 618.547.3381; and Wolf Creek State Park, R.R. 1, Box 99, Windsor, Ill. 61957, phone 217.459.2831. Anyone wishing to make a reservation should contact the specific site. A fifth cabin is being built at Pere Marquette State Park, Grafton, and it should be available for use later this year. Rent-A-Camp Cabins are part of a pilot project fashioned after DNR's popular Rent-A-Camp tent program. The tent rental program offers an opportunity to experience camping at an Illinois state park in an inexpensive and enjoyable way. Likewise, Rent-A-Camp Cabins are available to satisfy the desire of anyone who longs for the cabin in the country.
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