104 Landscape Architect and Specifier News
I n f o r m a t i o n R e q u e s t # 6 8 9
NRPA Surveys Parks and Rec for
"Inclusivity"
A new survey ( https://tinyurl.com/
y8xomnzo ) of nearly 500 park and
recreation agencies by the National
Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)
shows a broad commitment of park and
recreation agencies across the county to
provide programs, facilities and places/
spaces that are inclusive to all people.
The survey found:
74% of agencies offer programs and
activities for the physically disabled
71% of agencies offer programs and
activities for members of multicultural/
racial/ethnic communities
62% of agencies offer programs and
activities for people with cognitive
disabilities
30% of agencies offer specific programs
and activities for members of LGBTQ
community members.
27% of agencies offer specific programs
and activities for members of refugee/
immigrant communities
The survey found that 2 in 5 park and
recreation agencies have a formal inclusion
policy. These policies, which are typically
found on the agency's website, may include
an outline of the accommodations that
improve accessibility to parks, recreation
centers and other facilities, along with
how a resident can request a specific
accommodation.
"At NRPA we believe everyone deserves
a great park. That's why we encourage our
member agencies to provide programs and
facilities that are inclusive to all people,"
said Barbara Tulipane, NRPA president
and CEO. In 2017, NRPA launched its
Parks for Inclusion initiative www.nrpa.
org/parksforinclusion ). As part of that
initiative, NRPA is providing resources
and technical assistance to local park and
recreation agencies, and is developing best
practices metrics for parks and recreation.
Offer programs/activites for
those with Physical Disabilities
(e.g., Down Syndrome, autism, tramatic brain disorders)
Offer programs/activites for those
with Cognitive Disabilities
Offer programs/activites for members of a
Multicultural/Racial/Ethinic Community
Offer programs/activites for members
of the Refugee/Immigrant Community