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THPRD works to improve accessible facilities and information
By Jennifer Hemmeyer

With lengthening light and burgeoning blossoms arrives the pull of the great outdoors and the enticement to explore our local trail system. Last September I wrote an article on Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District trail accessibility. The information on this has continued to grow. For an update, I contacted Bob Wayt, Director of Communications & Outreach at THPRD, to check in on the district’s progress on both trail and facility access.

Paved trails such as this one in the Jordan Woods Natural Area enable users with physical disabilities to enjoy easier access to the recreational amenities provided by THPRD. Photo by Bob Wayt.

The input provided on the Oak Trail at the Nature Park by Access Recreation is helpful. What is the plan with regard to similar input on the other trails?

We have partnered with Access Recreation. A look at their website shows they now have accessibility information on not only our Oak Trail in the Tualatin Hills Nature Park but also information on Cooper Mountain Nature Park, the Fanno Creek Trail, and Lowami Hart Woods Natural Area, all of which we own and/or manage. These are some of the larger sites in our district with trail routes, and they are near transit lines. We are happy to assist Access Recreation with additional information as needed to increase the number of THPRD locations on their website. You may also want to check with them directly.

Are the trail maps available in large print as well as regular print?

No, and one of the reasons is that we have never been asked for them. However, we do provide a PDF of our trail maps on our website. Users can download them, zoom in on specific areas, and print them. Go to thprd.org/parks-and-trails/trails/ and click on the link titled, “Nature & Trails Map.”

Is there a person one could call to field specific questions regarding trail/facility accessibility? I tried yesterday to use the accessibility feature on the THPRD website, but it didn’t seem to work. Is that still under development? Is it being designed to work with a screen reader?

Users can call any of our centers or Administration Office. The receptionist will answer the question or direct it to another staff member who can. If you have a specific need at a facility, call that facility in advance and ask what we can do for you. For example, at our pools, we have lifts for users who need assistance getting into and out of the water. And some of the pools have aquatic wheelchairs that a guest can use instead of getting their own wheelchair wet. One of our staff would be happy to make arrangements for use.

We are sorry you had difficulty with our website when you visited, but we encourage you to try again. Go to thprd.org/district-information/accessibility for an overview of the district’s commitment to increase ADA accessibility throughout its service area. Also, go to thprd.org/parks-and-trails/find-park. Under “Filter by Feature(s),” click on “Accessibility.” You’ll see check boxes labeled “ADA Park,” “ADA Restroom,” and “ADA Trail.” Check the one you want and click on “Find parks with selected features.” Symbols will appear on the map to the right. When you click on one, the name of the park will appear. Click on that name to see all the features of the park, including those that are ADA-related.

Your question about a screen reader is a good one. It is our understanding that a user would need special software on the computer to convert the info on the screen to audible messages. We would like to learn more about how it works and how we can be more helpful.

Has the district considered a hotline with updated access info?

Bonnie Barksdale uses the ADA lift at Sunset Swim Center on NW Science Park Drive (directly north of Home Depot) to raise herself from the water. Swimmers can operate the lift themselves with the handheld control unit or request assistance from THPRD staff. Photo by Bob Wayt.

No, we have not had enough requests to justify a specific hotline for this. However, users are welcome to call any of our centers or the Administration Office. We would also encourage them to visit our website.

Will the final accessibility information be available in alternate formats—large print, braille etc.?

We do this by request. We simply ask that we be given adequate advance notice of the need for an alternate format. Usually five days is enough. We do offer Braille beside the doors inside our facilities and on many of our signs around the district.

Does the District have designated people in each department who are watching out for ADA issues and opportunities? Or is there another way the district is addressing these issues?

We continually work with our staff to be sensitive to ADA needs and concerns. Sometimes a request may need to be referred to a specific co-worker. For example, we have an Adaptive and Inclusion Recreation specialist. Click here for more information.

In addition, Lisa Novak, our superintendent of Programs & Special Activities, is our designated liaison for ADA issues.

In 2015, an independent organization did an extensive access audit of the facilities, parks and trails in our entire district. We are currently developing a transition plan based on that audit that will yield more accessibility in compliance with ADA standards. Our ADA Access Audit and Transition Plan will increase opportunities for individuals to play, learn and explore. It will include improvements such as new accessible benches, pathway repaving, and adjustments to play area features.

We anticipate presenting the plan to our board of directors later this year. Because of the costs of implementation, it will be a multiyear plan.”

Over the past eight months, Access Recreation has collected information on three more trails in the district. The information regarding trail and facility access continues to expand. THPRD welcomes input and invites requests for material in alternate formats.

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