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tb129498390 CITY EDEN PRAIRIE 664 P03 AUG 22 '94 13:05 THE HISTORY OF SOUTH SUBURBAN ADAPTIVE RECREATION Serving the communities of Richfield, Bloomington, Edina and Eden Prairie 1971: Woodlake Nature Center identified the need for a part-time naturalist to work on outdoor educational programs for the City of Richfield. Lil Hipp was hired to develop outdoor educational programs for people with disabilities as a part of Woodlake's program. 1972: Parents in Richfield expressed the need for Adaptive Programs in the City. Harvey Feldmen, the Director of Richfield Parks and Recreation set up an advisory committee for Special Children's Recreation Association (S.C.R.A.). The activities done by S.C.R.A. were staffed mainly by parent volunteers. Activities included floor hockey, ice - skating, and outdoor educational programs at Woodlake Nature Center, 1974: Edina parents formed Edina Special Children's Group (ESCG). Led by parents and volunteers, ESCG focused on leisure and recreational activities such as picnics, dances, bowling, swimming, horseback riding, golf, special trips, and a Friday night social program, which were provided on a year round basis. Program funds were received through a combined effort between civic organizations and fund raisers. Other compensatory support was acheived through a minimal registration fee and an occassional program charge. * *Richfield Parks and Recreation opened a part -time position for an Adaptive Recreation Supervisor, which also included the responsibility of the Senior Citizen program. Lil Hipp took this position in addition to the Naturalist position and became a full -time employee for the City of Richfield. 1975: Richfield built a Community Center and created the position of Community Center Manager, which was filled by Lil Hipp. The position of Adaptive Recreation Supervisor went to full -time and was filled by Betty Hansen. Betty accepted this position, which included Senior Programs, after her internship with Richfield. A Federal funding system called CETA, which provides federal funding to help cities develop many different types of programs, completely funded Betty's position for the first two years. * *Bloomington parents, who have children with disabilities, worked on getting the city to develop the Office of Special Services (OSS). The OSS was developed. Soon after, the same parents began asking for equal recreational opportunities as peers without disabilities.