2 Special Recreation ServicesCIT¥OF
MEMORANDUM
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
Todd Hoffman, Park and Recreation Director
Dawn Beitel, Recreation Supervisor
January 20, 1999
SUB J:
Special Recreation Services
From time to time the Chanhassen Park and Recreation Department has received
inquiries about special recreation opportunities and services for individuals
(mainly children) with disabilities. This has prompted us to find out more about
what other recreation departments do to meet these needs, specifically in cities
nearby. After a conversation with Dave Johnson, Director of Recreation Services
in Minnetonka, ! began making contact with and learning more about the
cooperative service supplied to many Hennepin County cities by West Hennepin
Community Services (W.H.C.S.) (see attached copy of newsletter).
Currently a number of cities contract with W.H.C.S. to provide adaptive
recreation programs designed specifically for individuals with special needs, i.e.
i.e. adaptive gymnastics. They can also provide a disability specialist to assist
individuals with special needs in programs currently offered by the department
(inclusion services).
According to staff at W.H.C.S., to join this consortium, there would be a tke (first
year only) of $2,000 which would change in future years based on usage by
Chanhassen residents. This fee would provide us with staff from W.H.C.S. for
adaptive programming or for inclusions. W.H.C.S. would also begin some
programming here in Chanhassen, most likely at the Recreation Center.
Interpreter fees would be funded by the city and this has been included in the
1999 Budget.
I have asked Barb Lemke, Director of Recreation and Inclusion Services West
(Minnetonka, Hopkins, St. Louis Park) and Mary Perkins, Executive Director of
W.H.C.S., to give a presentation at the January 26th Park and Recreation
Commission meeting. My hope is to clarify what the needs may be in Chanhassen
and to look at a solution to meet those needs.
Todd Hoffman
January 20, 1999
Page 2
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Park and Recreation Commission recommend the City Council enter
into a one year agreement with W.H.C.S. in the amount of $2,000 (which was included in the
1999 budget) to provide special recreation services to the residents of Chanhassen, which
includes both Carver and Hennepin Counties.
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