Cerebral Palsy couple seeks more handicap accessibility in local parks

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) --  The summer is a perfect time to go around and enjoy local parks.

For St. Joseph locals, Kim and Mark Hubbard, this can be a struggle. The Hubbards both have cerebral palsy, which impacts their day-to-day lives.

Both Mark and Kim enjoy visiting their local parks, but have struggled to enjoy the parks to their full extent.

"The parks around town don't feel like they are very considerate of people who have disabilities," said Kim Hubbard.

At Patee Park, the couple expressed their frustration with the playground areas having a lack of equipment for disabled children to enjoy.

Kim, who uses a wheelchair, and Mark, who uses a cane, both struggled with parking and crossing the street.

The couple hopes to get in contact with the City of St. Joseph Parks Department to express their concerns.

News-Press NOW also reached out to the city for comment, but did not get a response.

Although a park may meet ADA requirements, it could still lack inclusivity to disabled persons of any age.