ALBANY- A recent audit of the state’s Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation by Comptroller Tom DiNapoli found that many of the state’s parks and historic sites are not in compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) design and construction standards. The Harriman State Park, Bear Mountain State Park, and Taconic State Park were among several parks reviewed as part of the report.
The audit found that 62 percent of state park amenities could be improved to enhance accessibility and exceed minimum ADA standards and that several state parks had accessibility information misrepresented online.
The audit also found that some state parks did not have an ADA coordinator responsible for compliance with the law and investigating complaints as required. Some parks also did not establish grievance procedures.
DiNapoli’s report makes several recommendations including for parks to communicate and train staff on ADA requirements, monitor new construction and alteration projects to ensure compliance, develop procedures to record and address accessibility complaints, and improve the accuracy of publicly reported information on accessibility, both online and through park signage.
According to the Comptroller, the parks department has agreed with the audit’s recommendations, and as a result, will conduct a multi-faceted review of its policies, facilities, and programs to improve accessibility.
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