On Dec. 19, 2012, a complaint was filed with the United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, pursuant to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), alleging the playground equipment at the city park in Keystone, South Dakota, was not accessible to individuals who use wheelchairs.
City officials in Keystone cooperated with the investigation and developed a Master Plan to bring Keystone’s Watson Park in compliance with the ADA. The plan included removing sand and installing wood fiber safety surfaces around the playground equipment, developing a more accessible route to the playground, installing additional playground stations, and renovating the parking lot to include van accessible parking space.
With the modifications, the parking lot is now equipped with accessible parking spaces and appropriate signage for van accessible parking, the sand around the playground has been replaced with a more stable, firm, and slip resistant wood fiber surface, and the gazebo and playgrounds have an accessible route within the playground equipment. These renovations provide an ADA-accessible place for people with disabilities to picnic, relax, and play.
The City of Keystone remains committed to providing accessibility to all individuals. The Department of Justice investigates allegations of ADA violations and provides information about the ADA through a toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 (voice) and (800) 514-0383 (TDD), or visit www.ada.gov for more information.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
