Orange County prioritizes inclusivity for future parks

Orange County Parks and Recreation is asking the public for suggestions regarding planning future parks with inclusivity in mind.

The county hosted two public meetings: Wednesday, June 21, in East Orange County and Tuesday, July 25, in West Orange County.

Both meetings included a workshop in which families with children or adults who have special needs provided input for future amenities and park design.

INCLUSIVE FOR ALL
According to the county, inclusive is defined as “open to everyone: not limited to any one group of people.”

The county said physical, mental, emotional and cognitive inclusion are key for inclusivity.

Park facilities may include restrooms, sports fields and playground equipment.

Some examples of accessible and inclusive facilities Orange County parks provide are boardwalks, parking lots and walking paths.

The seven inclusive principals the county follows are: be fair, be included, be smart, be independent, be safe, be active and be comfortable.

Department officials said universal design includes equitable use, flexibility in use, simple and intuitive use, perceptible information, tolerance for error, low physical effort, and size and space for use.

Inclusive design items can include accessible swings, door accommodations, open space play areas, fitness equipment, butterfly gardens and auditory equipment.

COMMUNITY INPUT

Public input helps the county to recognize the required improvements to design and construct park facilities that provide accessibility, safety and comfort, both physically and mentally.

“We want the community to be able to drive what these amenities are and how they are serving them,” Project Manager Regina Ramos said. “We incorporate a lot of what is standard for our parks, but we want to make sure we are meeting the needs of the communities we serve. If those needs aren’t being met, we then find out what we can do to meet those needs expressed.”

At the meetings, attendees visited various stations and placed stickers on amenities they believed were the most important, as well as what parks and resources they currently utilize.

Khadijah Holmes, representing her 5-year-old daughter with disabilities, said there are things missing from parks that could be added to make them more inclusive.

Because her daughter is unable to use any of her limbs, she is typically limited to using only the swings at the parks, and Holmes said there are other items that could be implemented. 

Holmes said the lack of diversity regarding changing tables also is an issue. Many of the changing tables are unsuitable for her daughter, because they are typically designed for younger children or infants with a lower set of height and weight standards.

In addition, Holmes said there are no changing tables provided in the men’s restrooms, making it difficult for her husband to tend to their daughter’s needs if they are alone at the parks together.

Ramos said she heard several people mention the idea of family restrooms, which are available at some facilities but not all. 

Ramos said she also noted the importance of considering the dimensions and designs when constructing the playgrounds so adults who have disabilities can enjoy the equipment, as well. 

At the West Orange meeting, popular amenities included multilayered shades, ADA ramp access, a wheel-go-round and friendship swing.

Those who were unable to attend the meetings can take an online survey to have their voices heard. The survey will remain open through Tuesday, Aug. 15. However, Ramos said the department is always accepting feedback. 

Once the information is compiled, it will be documented and organized into a report that will be available to the public online.

The county will implement the highest-rated amenities into future facilities. 

“This is something that we can begin to budget for as those new facilities come along or as we need to renovate facilities,” Ramos said. “We want to set these items as the new park standard, so we can better meet the needs of the people who use the parks on an every day basis.”