Adaptive Recreation in St. Louis Park

All-Terrain Wheelchair

St. Louis Park’s Westwood Hills Nature Center now has a GRIT Freedom all-terrain wheelchair available for visitors to use on the nature center trails. This manual, all-terrain wheelchair has a chain drive system that allows users to operate it independently or assisted by a caregiver with handlebars.

Visitors can rent the wheelchair for free by visiting the interpretive center front desk or can call the Center for more information.

The purchase of this wheelchair was made possible by a @hennepincounty Active Living Equipment grant, funded through the Hennepin County Active Living Program. The program’s goal is to make it easier to be active. It provides technical assistance and funding for government agencies to plan for healthy communities and make active lifestyles more accessible. The GRIT Freedom all-terrain wheelchair availability at Westwood Hills Nature Center recently received an award of excellence in programming and events from the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association.

Sensory Kits

The City of St. Louis Park now offers sensory kits for the first time this year to help visitors fully enjoy recreation facilities and events. A sensory kit is a portable box filled with sensory tools and toys designed to reduce stress or sensory triggers for individuals while not distracting others around them.

“The idea for the sensory kits came after staff attended a workshop led by the Autism Society of Minnesota and learned how valuable and essential these tools can be for individuals and families with sensory needs,” said Nikki Frederich, St. Louis Park recreation superintendent. “The city started the new initiative with the goal of supporting the city council’s strategic priority of being a leader in racial equity and inclusion by making its facilities, programs and events more accessible and inclusive to all.”

Sensory kits became available starting June 1 at the Aquatic Park, Westwood Hills Nature Center and summer playground sites, as well as at the city’s annual festival Parktacular and the 4th of July fireworks celebration.

Kits are free and can be checked out for up to 30 minutes when used at city facilities. At events, designated areas will be available for those wishing to use the kits; they will not be checked out. Signs at facilities and events will direct visitors to sensory kit locations.

• An adult can request a kit by completing an equipment check out form at one of the facilities if the individual is not enrolled in a program.

• If the individual is enrolled in a program, an adult can ask one of the city staff members/leaders for a kit. Forms are not required at events.

“The city started the new initiative with the goal of supporting the city council’s strategic priority of being a leader in racial equity and inclusion by making its facilities, programs and events more accessible and inclusive to all.”