The Park District of Highland Park invites you to a meeting to discuss the accessibility of Park District facilities and parks for people with disabilities. Your view is important, and this is an opportunity to express your opinion.

The Park District of Highland Park will conduct a meeting to hear feedback about the accessibility of parks and facilities. There are two opportunities to participate in an in-person meeting.

Tuesday, July 30, 2024, from 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, Walter E. Heller Nature Center Multipurpose Room, at 2821 Ridge Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035.

Wednesday, July 31, 2024, from 10:30 am to 12:00 pm. West Ridge Center Board Room, at 636 Ridge Rd, Highland Park, IL 60035.

Registration is requested. To register, please reach Amalia Schwartz, Planning Manager, at 847.579.4090 or [email protected]. If a modification is needed because of disability to participate, such as a sign language interpreter, please advise when registering.

Please complete the online survey if you cannot attend the in-person meeting. Your feedback is anonymous and will be used to improve efforts by the Park District.

The Park District of Highland Park retained the WT Group (WTG) Accessibility Practice in 2024 to develop an updated transition plan for parks and facilities, as required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). A transition plan identifies access barriers and phases the retrofit work over time. John McGovern leads the Accessibility Practice at WTG, and will coordinate the first portion of the meeting. In the meeting, WTG will:

• Review key ADA requirements for parks and facilities
• Discuss the importance of community feedback in establishing retrofit priorities
• Share observations of access barriers viewed at Park District of Highland Park sites
• Ask for the access preferences and priorities of the members of the public in attendance
• Close with a discussion about next steps for the Park District of Highland Park

Northern Suburban Special Recreation Association (NSSRA) will join the discussion. NSSRA is an organization dedicated to enriching the lives of people with disabilities in their partner communities, including the Park District of Highland Park, through quality recreation services. NSSRA has created an environment of belonging through play since 1970, and it holds the distinction as the first Special Recreation Association in the country.

If you have any questions, contact John McGovern with the WT Group at 224.293.6451 or [email protected], or Amalia Schwartz, Planning Manager, at 847.579.4090 or [email protected].

Thank you in advance for helping the Park District of Highland Park with our ADA Transition Plan.