Pullman parks don’t cater to disabled people as they should, according to a local nonprofit that advocates for the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Advocates from the Disability Action Center NW, which is located in Moscow, assessed local parks in April while searching for a location to celebrate the center’s 26th anniversary. But, while considering each of Pullman’s six public parks, the DAC found that none were fully accessible under ADA standards.

“I’ve lived in Pullman for 25 years, so I just assumed it was fully accessible, and a town of that size should be,” said Vicki Leeper, the center’s marketing specialist. “I have friends who use a wheelchair that have young children and realize they could never attend a soccer game in Kreugel Park since there is not van-accessible parking.”

The DAC assessed the parks again in June in search of improvements but found no changes had been made, Leeper said.

ADA requirements include wheelchair-accessible entrances, ramps and restrooms. The DAC evaluated the parks using a standardized checklist that is used by disability advocacy centers across the country.

Parks superintendent Alan Davis, of Pullman Parks and Recreation, said the checklist will help the city make future improvements.

“We in Pullman have more challenges terrain-wise,” Davis said, referring to hills that pose difficulty during projects to improve sidewalks and parking lots.

Davis said Parks & Recreation staff will assess the parks again in August with a focus on more parking spaces that are accessible to disabled people.

The DAC noted that Reaney Park contains no paved paths that lead to the barbeque pits or the gazebo. Those in wheelchairs cannot travel easily on the existing paths, which are cracked and uneven.

The park’s permanent restroom was deemed inaccessible for disabled people. Additionally, the portable toilet that is intended for their use sits on uneven ground, and the restroom door hangs ajar.

Davis said Parks & Recreation lacks the budget necessary to modify the parks.

Pullman Mayor Glenn Johnson said a new disability-accessible park, Mary’s Park on Johnson Avenue, is slated for development next year. According to the City of Pullman website, the five-acre plot of land was donated by Pullman resident Herb Neil. Additionally, Pullman has received a $140,000 grant to develop the park.

“We have been blessed with a lot of parks, but now we need to work to get them up to snuff,” Davis said.

According to the DAC, four of the seven parks in Moscow are fully accessible to disabled people.

The anniversary celebration will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on July 26 at Mountain View Park in Moscow. The event will feature musical performances by Kick Toy and Jon and Rand. Johnson will be there to deliver a speech.