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<br />service area incorporates two counties (Hennepin and Ramsey) and <br />includes the cities of Arden Hills, Moundsview, New Brighton, <br />Roseville, Shoreview, Maplewood, Little Canada, Vadnais Heights, White <br />Bear Lake, oakdale, Lauderdale, Falcon Heights, st Anthony, Northeast <br />Minneapolis and northern sections of st Paul. <br /> <br />As evidenced by the original construction of the Special Populations <br />Play Area in Central Park, as well as other recently constructed city <br />facilities, Roseville has been aware of the need to provide barrier <br />free facili ties and programs. Federal and State legislation has <br />mandated that public facilities be accessible to and usable by all <br />people regardless of their physical capability. Accessibility is <br />applicable to all aspects of our society including recreation services <br />and facilities. <br /> <br />The City of Roseville Parks and Recreation Department has a policy <br />which addresses the issue of handicapped accessibility within its~park <br />system. It states that the Roseville Parks and Recreation Deparfment <br />will design, organize and construct all open space facilities and <br />programs so that they are accessible to all segments of the population <br />regardless of physical limitations. <br /> <br />Central Park and particularly these play areas have been designed and <br />constructed (or will be constructed) for both the physically <br />challenged and non-handicapped individuals. Design considerations <br />have included designated parking spaces, curb cuts, and extensive <br />network of paved trails, picnic tables wi th extended tops, special <br />benches proceeding, accessible rest rooms - both permanent and <br />portable - wheelchair accessible fishing dock, and accessible <br />amphitheatre. This accessibility and barrier free design has also <br />been implemented in the large group picnic and play areas. The <br />department's goal is to accommodate and integrate handicapped <br />individuals, families with handicapped members, groups with some <br />handicapped members and total group, groups of handicapped <br />participants. <br /> <br />The two children's play areas in the proposal are an important part of <br />outdoor recreation opportunities that will be available to the <br />physically handicapped in the park. They are significant because they <br />provide unique opportunities for physically challenged children to <br />participate and develop their physical fitness, sociability, <br />acceptability, skill enhancement, self-esteem, exploration skills, and <br />the opportunity just plain have fun. These areas are designed to <br />accommodate a range of childhood capabilities from no or very slight <br />debilitation to those who are not able to leave wheelchairs or <br />strollers. <br /> <br />The project play areas will satisfy three major service goals: 1) <br />Barrier Free Facilities, 2) Mainstreaming (integration of handicapped <br />and non-handicapped), and 3) Acceptance (non-handicapped children will <br />realize the inaccuracy of disability stereotypes). Groups already <br />using the Special Populations Play Area, in spite of it's limitations, <br />include such organizations as the Courage Center of Golden Valley, <br />Special Populations Recreation Programs of st Paul and Roseville, <br />numerous public and parochial schools, day care centers and thousands <br />