California has settled a legal fight dating back to 1998 and agreed to expand the number of state park trails accessible to the disabled, officials said Monday. Under a plan given preliminary approval by a federal court judge last Friday, California will add hundreds of miles (km) of special access trails over the next decade in its more than 270 parks.
SAN FRANCISCO — California has settled a legal fight dating back to 1998 and agreed to expand the number of state park trails accessible to the disabled, officials said Monday.
Under a plan given preliminary approval by a federal court judge last Friday, California will add hundreds of miles (km) of special access trails over the next decade in its more than 270 parks. It will also provide easier access to park facilities such as food concessions and conference facilities.
"It's a very significant deal; it's been in the works for seven years," said Caryn Craig, the state's deputy attorney general who represented California in the lawsuit brought by disabled rights groups.
The agreement is the latest expansion of disabled rights in the United States which in recent years has also included better access to the great outdoors, said Gary Robb, executive director of the National Center on Accessibility, an Indiana group promoting disabled access in recreational areas.
"People with disabilities are wanting to have the same opportunities to participate in the activities of the parks as everyone else," he said.
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In recent years, California has moved to provide better disabled access to parts of state parks, but few issues are debated as passionately in the state as the environment.
"There are people who would like to see no man-made improvements made in the natural environment and obviously that perspective might not allow for disabled individuals to get out." Deputy Attorney General Craig said in an interview. "On the flip side there are people who would like to see a lot more improvements made to the natural environment."
Carl Zichella, the California, Nevada and Hawaii staff director for the Sierra Club environmental group, said he hoped officials will balance nature with accommodating the disabled.
"I do think that everyone, including the disabled community, would want an established trail system that respects and preserves the environment," he said. "We'll try to work with all parties to make sure we're not going to degrade state parks while providing reasonable access for people. And if there are problems with conflicts, our voices will be heard."
Source: Reuters
