Purpose

The Chicago Park District is dedicated to providing all of its guests with equal enjoyment of the wonderful experiences offered by its parks. The Chicago Park District (“the Park District”) has taken into consideration the use of other power-driven mobility devices in accordance with 28 Code of Federal Regulations Section 35.104 and factors such as impacts on other users, the safety of other users, impacts on property and infrastructure, and the noise level of such devices. The Park District has determined that it will permit the use of electronic personal assistance mobility devices, as defined below, at parks on hard surface trails and at outdoor recreation facilities and has developed this policy described below.

The Park District reserves the right to change, modify or amend this policy at any time, as it deems appropriate.
 

Definition of Electronic Personal Assistance Mobility Device (EPAMD)

An electronic personal assistance mobility device (EPAMD) is a device used by a person with a mobility disability. This definition does not include gasoline-powered devices or vehicles, golf carts, or riding lawn mowers. 

This definition is restricted to a device with the following specifications:

  1. Must not exceed more than one-half the width of any trail, path, or sidewalk on which a device is being used; 
  2. For indoor use, must not exceed 36” in height; 
  3. Must not weigh more than 250 pounds; 
  4. Must be designed to travel on two or more low-pressure tires; and,
  5. Must operate by electric-powered engine with a maximum decibel level of 55 or less.
     

Use of EPAMDs on Park District Property

In order to maintain a safe pedestrian environment and the desired pace and flow of visitor traffic, the Park District authorizes persons with mobility impairments to use EPAMDs on Park District hard surface trails and at outdoor recreation facilities, subject to the following restrictions:

  1. The operator of the EPAMD shall be a person with impaired mobility, and proof of such impairment may be requested by Park District personnel in accordance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) regulations.
  2. The EPAMD is allowed only in on hard surface trails or in an outdoor recreation facility in which the general public is allowed.
  3. The EPAMD operator shall not use or operate such a device at a park on a hard surface trail or at an outdoor facility if use of the device causes damage to the trail/path/sidewalk, the park grounds or infrastructure, or Park District facilities.
  4. The EPAMD shall be operated at a speed that is relative to surrounding foot traffic.
  5. The EPAMD shall not be operated in a dangerous or reckless manner or at speeds that jeopardize the safety of the operator or other persons.
  6. The EPAMD shall not be driven into wet, ecologically sensitive, or hazardous areas.
  7. The EPAMD shall only be operated on Park District property during Park District business hours. EPAMD’s shall not be operated when parks are not in operation.
  8. The Park District does not accept responsibility for storage of the EPAMD.
  9. The Park District does not accept responsibility liability for damage to the EPAMD or injury to the operator, whether caused by the operator, another visitor to a Park District facility or site, or any other circumstance.
  10. The Park District reserves the right to suspend the use of facilities or sites by the EPAMD operator if doing so is in the best interests of the Park District and its participants.


The Park District does not recognize the use of Segways® as an appropriate device for use inside Park District facilities because the congestion of foot traffic within the facility may create a hazardous environment, and due to the manufacturer’s recommendation for helmet and protective equipment for riders, much like bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades.