Three Lexington women make case for park adaptations to Park Advisory Board
Originally published by WEKU.
Lexington voters earlier this month approved a new property tax to support parks in the central Kentucky community. Members of the Parks Advisory Board received a request Wednesday on one way to spend some of those new funds.
Three ladies asked the advisory panel to consider adaptations to increase inclusivity at Lexington parks. Specifically, Mickaylyn Howard Conrad said her two kids miss out playing at the park because her four-year-old has cerebral palsy with autism.
“Inclusivity doesn’t hurt anyone. It benefits everyone. So, fenced-in parks. Smooth surfaces instead of mulch to prevent choking hazards and splinters and all of those things,” said Howard Conrad.
Also addressing the Parks Advisory Board was Myriad Norris who has a three-year-old who likewise has cerebral palsy and autism.
“I would like to see both of my boys grow up and be able to go to the park and play together while I set on the bench and watch them,” said Norris.
Michelle Kosieniak is superintendent of planning and design for Lexington Parks and Recreation. She said the women coming forward to say what parks would be most helpful to upgrade is, quote, “fantastic.”
“Now that this park tax has passed, we’ll have regular income, predictable capital income that can then be returned to the community in the form of park improvements that are more fully developed or that have those special accommodations,” said Kosieniak.
The new parks tax is anticipated to generate about $8 million each year. Kosieniak said medical diagnosis is protected information so there’s not a database to use to determine what children have certain diagnoses and where they live.
Kosieniak noted the three women offered important information about specific needs. Alexandra Jabs spoke to Park Board members Wednesday. She doesn’t have a child with special needs. Jabs said her friendship to someone who does has been eye-opening to the challenges faced by these children. The women asked the Board and City to consider using some of the new parks tax money to pay for modifications. Lexington Parks and Recreation is a financial supporter of Weku.
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Originally published by WEKU.
Republished with permission.
