In the case heard by the Administrative Hearings Commission, the MCHR charged that the City of Valley Park failed to provide an accessible route to the nature trail in Vance Trails Nature Park. The City was ordered to cease and desist from further discriminatory practices and to extend the full and equal use of its places of public accommodations to persons with disabilities. The City was also ordered to pay $16,080 to the mother who filed the complaint on behalf of her daughter who was unable to use the nature trail. The Commission's case was presented by the Missouri Attorney General's Office.
"This is an important victory for all the residents of the City, and particularly for its disabled citizens who have been denied their right to full and equal enjoyment of their City parks," said Eric Krekel, acting executive director of the MCHR. "Cities have an obligation to make their facilities, programs and services accessible to persons with disabilities."
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