print story|email storylast updated: 10/18/2004
Park offers nature trail that is accessible for everyone
By Karen MeyerOctober 17, 2004 ¡ª At one time, nature parks were unspoiled tall grass prairies filled with wild flowers. Tri County State Park in Bartlett has not only restored nature, it is also accessible for everyone.
ABC7 Video Clip
Even though the Americans with Disabilities Act require all state parks to be accessible, it takes a personal experience to make significant accommodations for people with mobility impairment.
"This is the seed head to another one of our native wildflowers. If you crush it in your fingers and smell it has a very a very pleasant smell," said Kevin.
Kevin Luby is a naturalist for Tri County State Park. A year-and-half ago he lost use of his right foot.
"An elderly women fell asleep at the wheel and in the turn in the highway she came straight through the turn and hit me head on. It shattered my pelvis and broke both my legs," said .
Kevin came back to work using a motorized scooter.
"I felt like the lone ranger out here. Nobody else ever came out here in a scooter or a wheelchair," said Kevin.
Kevin found it hard to get around.
"My personal challenge was just building the stamina to be able to get myself around," said Kevin.
After becoming disabled, Kevin realized that people with mobility impairment could benefit from a specialized naturalist tour on the accessible trail.
"We can go around and look at the plants or do some bird watching at their speech because I'm not that fast myself," said Kevin.
Several explorations for people with mobility limitations were set up but no one has come. He is hoping that will change this Friday, October 22 at 10 a.m.
"I'd like to be able to get 10 or 15 people out at a time and go out and take a look at the park and enjoy some of the wildflowers and grasses," said Kevin. "Minks, raccoons, possums, skunks. We have a pair of sand hill cranes, which is a pair of endangered species of bird. There are a lot of interesting smells and textures on the prairie and I'd like to get everybody to appreciate that first hand."
If you are interested in the nature tour for mobility impairment call 847/429-4670. You need to sign up 24 hours in advance. The tour is free. For additional information visit www.dupageforest.com and www.dnr.state.il.us .
You can see the ABC7 report by clicking on the video icon above. You will need Windows Media Player to view this video.You can get it FREE by clicking here. NOTE: Video clips will only be available for 5-days from the date they were created. ALSO: Video clips will play in a separate window on Mac OS X machines, you may also see a video help screen.
