U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service and GRIST National Recreation May/June 1982 and Park Association Volume 26/Number 3 Serving Handicapped Visitors Helping to provide safe and en­ joyable experiences to handicapped persons at beaches is an important step in mainstreaming the disabled in our society. One method of pro­ viding these experiences is to train lifeguards in the supervision and rescue of handicapped swimmers. Richard D. Baker, chief lifeguard at Assateague Island National Seashore (MD-VA) suggests establishing such a lifeguard train­ ing program and he refers us to the American Red Cross publication Adapted Aquatics as a training text. Baker also recommends publi­ cizing the lifeguard services and recreation program accessibility so that this information is available to all. He suggests publishing a brochure as part of Assateague Island's water safety recreation use program which highlights this information. The brochure would state. "All lifeguards receive training in first aid, CPR, lifesaving and beach supervision. They are also trained to supervise main- streamed handicapped visitors and to handle them in emergencies. "Groups with members who share characteristics that are special problems in aquatic recreation may want to use the protected beach and integrate their group with the general public. Group leaders should consult with a supervisory lifeguard concerning group characteristics such as non- swimmers, poor swimmers, or disabilities, before letting their group go into the water. (continued on p. 19) 17 Safety Grist Increasing Vehicle Stairway Safety A publication of the Park Practice Program Visibility The Park Practice Program is a cooperative effort of Doyal Glenn Jackson, maintenance the National Park Service and the National Recreation work leader at the Ozark National and Park Association. Making vehicles more visible at night is an effective method of Scenic Riverways (MO) came up Russell E. Dickenson, Director reducing accidents and injuries. with this idea to make the lumber National Park Service Park Ranger Dale Edward Silvis stairway tread surface within the Maintenance Shop safer to walk John H. Davis, Executive Director of Cuyahoga Valley National National Recreation and Park Association Recreation Area (OH) suggests upon. Jackson suggests warming clean, Editorial Staff using Scotchguard or other brand of reflectorized tape to improve and sharp sand and applying it to National Park Service increase visibility of government- freshly painted stairway, while the U.S. Department of the Interior paint is still wet. After this is dry, Branch of Professional Publications owned vehicles during night-time Division of Cooperative Activities operation. apply a second coat of paint over the sand and allow to dry. Frank C. Goodell, Program Manager The tape can be applied to the exterior of all park vehicles and can This sand and paint mixture James A. Burnett, Editor, Design and Grist also be applied to the inside of prevents slipping where there are up-down tread surfaces and when Kathleen A. Pleasant, Editor, Trends and Writer, doors, the inside of the trunks of Grist and Design automobiles, and the underside of the surface is wet (except during periods of ice and snow cover). NRPA Printing Staff vehicle hoods. Silvis states that the reflectorized tape even enhances law A $100 National Park Service Albert H. Ziegenfuss, Manager enforcement vehicles which are incentive award was presented to Jackson for his suggestion. The Park Practice Program includes: Trends, a already equipped with light bars quarterly publication on topics of special interest in and other safety equipment. The park and recreation management and programming; tape is of particular use when Grist, a bimonthly publication on practical solutions to everyday problems in park and recreation opera­ retrieving equipment from car Shower Facilities tions; and Design, a quarterly compendium of plans trunks at night and when vehicle for park and recreation structures which demonstrates operators are in public contact on quality design and intelligent use of materials. Maintenance employees are often ex­ the side of the road. posed to unsanitary conditions, con­ Membership in the Park Practice Program includes a taminants and substances such as subscription to all three publications and selected back Reflectorized tape can be issues in vinyl binders with indices and all publica­ purchased in many colors to match gasoline, acids and chemicals which tions for the calendar year. the color of the vehicles and can be could cause serious problems if not washed off within a reasonable period The initial membership fee is $80; annual renewal is applied in strips to achieve $20. A separate subscription to Grist is $15 initially, maximum effect and visibility. of time. and $7.50 upon renewal. Subscription applications Silvis was presented a $200 Sharon Fletcher, supply clerk at and fees, and membership inquiries should be sent only to: National Recreation and Park Association, National Park Service incentive Cumberland Gap National Historical 3101 Park Center Drive, Alexandria, VA 22302. award for his suggestion. Park (KY, VA, TN) recommended the installation of shower facilities at the The information presented in any of the publications of the Park Practice Program does not reflect an en­ maintenance department for emergency, dorsement by the agencies sponsoring the program or hazardous type situations and as a by the editors. preventive measure against disease. Articles, suggestions, ideas and comments are invited Fletcher was presented a $50 Na­ and should be sent to the Park Practice Program, tional Park Service incentive award Division of Cooperative Activities, National Park Ser­ vice, Washington, D.C. 20240. for her suggestion. For Safety's Sake All ideas and suggestions shared in the pages of Grist are presented as guidelines, not final working blue­ prints. Be sure to check any device or plan you want to adopt for compliance with national, state and local safety codes. 18 Visitors Fee Booth Sign Handicapped. .(continued from p. 17) Park Technician Gordon Wilson sug­ "A ramp goes from the handi­ Considered gested posting additional information capped parking area at the north at the entrance station's fee booth at end of the main parking lot to Castillo de San Marcos National the beach just north of the Monument (FL) that would be most lifeguard-supervised beach. welcome to senior citizens. Disabled visitors may need assistance to move into the pro­ U.S. Senior Citizens tected area." FREE ADMISSION Baker feels that public service Pass Available Here will be improved through increasing program accessibility. Expanded Parks in the An existing sign stated that children lifeguard training will prevent under 16 years of age were admitted accidents and result in more emer­ C&P Area free of charge. Wilson's suggestion fur­ gency service for all visitors. Also, Information about your local park nished the additional information that the existence of the Red Cross text, area is close at hand. Jackie Clin­ U.S. residents who are 62 years or Adapted Aquatics, makes it pos­ ton, secretary in the National Park older are entitled to free admission if sible for any organization to Service's Division of Natural they possess a Golden Age Passport, immediately incorporate knowledge Science shares this page from a and that passports are available at the about handicapped swimming into 1980 Northern Virginia Chesapeake entrance station. its training program. & Potomac telephone directory A $25 National Park Service incen­ Baker was presented a $50 (Washington, DC metropolitan tive award was presented to Wilson National Park Service incentive area). for his suggestion. award for his suggestion. A map of Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and the District of Columbia is numbered to pinpoint locations of the state parks within the area. The names of the parks, telephone numbers, and services available are described beside the corresponding numbers. National park areas within the D.C. area are also listed. Parks in the C&P Area District of Columbia West Potomac Park: ball- 8. Gunpowder Falls State 18. Grayson Highlands 35. Babcock State Park: fields, fish, ice skate, swan Park: camp, picnic, fish State Park: camp. hike. New River Canyon, operat­ Dial-A-Park 202/426-6975. boat Pedalboats rowboats. boat ramp, horseback rid­ picnic, visitor center 703/ ing gristmill, campsites, Information 202/426-6700. canoes for hire ing, hike and bike 301/ 579-7092 cabins, picnic, swimming 592-2897 1 9. Claytor Lake State Park: pool, gamecourts. hike, fish and boat rental Anacostia Park: swimming 9. Sandy Point State Park: cabins, campground, horse­ pool, sports facilities. Maryland picnic, hike. fish, crab back riding, hike, picnic. 36. Bluestone State Park: Konilworth Aquatic Gar­ Park Service 301/269-3761 swim, boat rental and ramp swim, water ski, fish, boat cabins, campground; pic­ dens features waterlilies. &3771 301/757-1841 rental and ramp, visitor nic, hike, swimming pool, center 703/674-5492 lotuses 202/426-6905. Camping and Special Ac­ 10 Calvert Cliffs State Park: gamecourts. tish. boat ren­ tals and launch U.S. National Arboretum: tivities 301/768-0895 camp picnic, hike and fish 20 Fairy Stone State Park, ornamental trees, shrubs. 301/888-1622 named for cross-shaped 37. Pipestem State Park: floral displays Trails in­ 1. Herrington Manor Slale 11. Point Lookout State rocks in area: camp, cabins: aerial tramway to Blue- horseback riding hike, clude Touch and See Na­ Park: cabins, hike, bike, Park: monument to Confed­ stone River complex, cab­ bike, picnic.swim, fish, boat ture Trail, designed for both picnic, iish. swim, winter erate prisoners of war, ins, lodge, campsites, golf rental and ramp, visitor blind and sighted persons sports, boat rental, ramp camp, picnic, swim, fish course, swimming pool, center 703/930-2424 202/339-5400. 301/334-9180 hike and boat launch 301/ gamecourts, horseback rid­ ing, hike, picnic, fishing East Potomac Park: swim­ 2. Deep Creek Lake State 872-5688. 21 Douthat State Park: cab­ ming pool, picnicking, mini­ Park: camp, picnic, hike 12.