PROPOSED CONCEPT: OCEAN STRAND AS A PARK FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

A Park for All People

KEEP YOUR BOCA BEACHES PUBLIC.ORG would like to propose and support the foremost public suggestion for the Ocean Strand parcel. In soliciting a significant percentage of our citizens, there evolved a consensus that we would like to share. We are doing so in advance of the Curtis and Rogers Landscape Architects public input sessions to apprise you of the strong sentiment which has surfaced and warrants recognition, and hopefully your support. The nearly unanimous vision is to create a park specifically designed to accommodate our citizens who are physically and/or mentally disabled. Boca Ratons Beach and Park District has historically established stateof-the-art recreational areas responsive to the needs of its population ranging from passive places of tranquility and serenity to those which provide for more interactive participation. While our current parks address the needs of pet owners, educational interests, entertainment opportunities and athletic venues, there are none which provide complete access for citizens with disabilities.

Designing such a park at the Ocean Strand site would provide not only a service but a solution for these people of all ages, from children to seniors, whose disabilities pose barriers to a fulfilling and active engagement with the flora and fauna of our beautiful city. Neighboring Boynton Beach has finalized its plans to build a boundless park and hopes to have it operational within nine months. Fairfax County, VA, Mecklenburg County, NC and Brazos Valley, TX are other examples

of communities which have taken initiatives to provide barrier free parks for their populations. These prototypes are reflective of local visionaries who understood the needs of their populations and the moral obligation of their communities to respond. Ocean Strand with its lovely beach, sprawling meadow and intracoastal waters is the ideal venue for transforming this vision into a reality for the increasing numbers of people with disabilities in our community. Among some of the preliminary suggestions made by residents have been: A centralized, covered pavilion as a focal point; Wide, wheelchair accessible walkways throughout the park, including the beach; Trails that can provide sensory reinforcement including raised surfaces to allow wheelchair bound individuals tactile access; Ergonomically sensitive benches along the expanse of the intracoastal path; Exercise stations for rehabilitative and therapeutic accessibility; A raised promontory on the beach to allow for quiet mediation and reading We have already determined that there is tremendous support for this proposed concept. There are numerous resources ready to expand and embrace this vision of a special place for people with disabilities. Thanks to the ADA, numerous agencies and volunteers are already invested in assisting those with disabilities. Preliminary solicitations indicate that they would endorse this endeavor and offer their expertise toward its actualization-both conceptually and concretely. We fully expect to have a strong community investment in our public park-both emotionally and economically. We believe that the imminent public meetings to be conducted by Curtis and Rogers will generate a host of ideas from all of our citizens and residents in Boca Raton and surrounding areas. We are optimistic that these open feedback sessions will evidence the passion and commitment of all of Bocas residents. This dream of a public park for ALL people CAN and MUST become our REALITY for Ocean Strand and the residents of Boca! We are urging you as concerned citizens to make your voices heard during this window of opportunity. Attendance at the upcoming meetings will allow your

suggestions to be documented in a public forum. Get involved so that all decisions reflect YOUR ideas for YOUR park and represent your vested interests both as taxpayers and as part of a responsive and responsible electorate. Thank you for your interest, active support and participation in helping to shape Ocean Strand with your vision. This certainly is an opportunity of a lifetime. The dates for the Curtis and Rogers public input meetings regarding the Ocean Strand parcel will be posted on our website as soon as they are released: www.keepyourbocabeachespublic.org Please sign in regularly for ongoing updates on Ocean Strand