'Here to serve all Texans': TPWD initiative working to make state parks compliant with ADA

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) has announced an initiative that will increase accessibility to its parks across the state which will make park facilities accessible to all Texans regardless of their physical ability.

TPWD is collaborating with WT Group, an engineering consulting group, to evaluate accessibility access in state parks across Texas. The accessibility evaluation was conducted in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Along with WT Group, TPWD is also receiving input from the ADA advisory committee. The evaluation between WT Group and ADA has resulted in a transition plan that will improve access to all state parks in Texas.

Throughout the accessibility initiative, TPWD has also acquired input from the public on how they would like to see state parks become more accessible. This has been through townhall style meetings, statewide surveys and meetings with the TPWD Accessibility Advisory Committee. The information and feedback gathered by TPWD through public input was considered when deciding on how to move forward with the initiative.

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Support Resources Division Director Scott Stover said WT Group came up with a plan to phase the project into three phases. Each phase will be an eight-year plan where overall the project will take up to 24 years to complete. During each phase, the goal will be to bring facilities and infrastructure at all 88 Texas State Parks up to compliance with ADA.

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The three phases for this plan to improve access at state parks for people with disabilities include:

Phase 1: Accessible routes for visitors such as paved sidewalks that connect to campsites, restrooms, parking areas and other amenities. Phase 1 will also include improvement to restroom facilities.

Phase 2: Improvements to fishing piers, boating docs and playgrounds.

Phase 3: Improvements to outdoor amenities and trails. TPWD is currently in phase 1 of the project.

Stover stated the project will be funded by the state legislature through ADA project funding. WT Group estimated it will cost more than 700 million dollars to complete the improvements to Texas State Parks.

Stover said people with disabilities have often faced accessibility and access obstacles when visiting state parks.

“People don’t want to go to a trail or an ADA campsite if the parking, the sidewalks, pathways and restrooms are not accessible,” Stover said. “Phase one (of the project) is really about basic infrastructure, making sure that the restrooms, our visitor areas, parking lots, parking areas and accessible routes are taken care of.”

Stover wants to make it clear that the accessibility initiative will not only include state parks but also other public facilities and access areas within TPWD. In addition to improvements to state parks, other areas included in the plan are wildlife management areas, fisheries, TPWD headquarters, visitor centers and law enforcement offices.

“The agency is looking at this as a whole agency wide program,” Stover said. “It is not just for state parks, it is for all of Texas Parks and Wildlife’s facilities.”

New state parks that are presently under construction throughout Texas are being built within compliance to ADA standards. Upon opening, state parks will already have accessibility features in place for visitors with disabilities.

The commitment of Texas Parks and Wildlife to expand access to ensure all visitors, regardless of their ability, to enjoy nature and the outdoors is something that is important to the department. This initiative is a way to pave the way for everyone to enjoy every aspect of Texas State Parks.

“I think it is important for us to show that we are understanding to all Texans and that we are really trying to expand our program so everybody can make it out to the outdoors,” Stover said. “We are here to serve all Texans.”

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: TPWD working to make state parks more accessible for "all Texans"