REQUEST FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

 

Open Comment Period from May 11th- May 29th 2009

 

Proposed Accessibility Improvements at Golden Gate National Recreation Area:

 

NIKE MISSILE SITE

 

Introduction

 

The Nike Site is an educational Cold War museum in the heart of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area. During the tense years from 1953 to 1979, the United States Army built and operated a total of 280 Nike missile firing batteries in the United States. These missile sites were emplaced as the last line of defense against Soviet bombers. Today, a dedicated group of volunteers works in partnership with GGNRA on the continuous task of restoration at site SF-88, which has been turned into a museum. This valuable historical resource is the only restored Nike missile site in the entire country. On the guided walk one can see the tools of the Cold War up close, and it includes an amazing trip down the missile elevator into the underground magazine. On the first Saturday of every month there is an open house, where docents—some of them Nike veterans—tell stories about real life experience at Nike missile sites. During the week, the site manager leads periodic tours of the RADAR vans, the fueling area and the missile magazine. There are also protection dog demonstrations during some open houses.

 

Key Experience

 

The Nike Missile Site experience is an intimate interpretive tour, led by a Ranger or docent. Key is arrival at the Launcher, getting an interpretive tour, and experiencing the awesome sight and sound of the missiles lifting into launch position. After the missiles return to horizontal position, the most exciting experience for the visitors is the ride on a working missile elevator down into the underground magazine for a tour. The significant experience is seeing the trap doors close overhead, hearing the sound of the hydraulic elevator and the feeling of being underground with the missiles. The visitor puts himself or herself back in to a time of national paranoia, the Cold War. Groups make up 75 percent of visitation while individuals make up 25 percent. Approximately 300-400 people attend an Open House on one Saturday each month. Special group tours are often arranged over the telephone. The secondary experience is when visitors are met by a docent, can view an orientation kiosk, and tour the site and several small buildings with exhibits of missiles, early computers, and radio controls. On the way to the missile launch, they pass the Sentry Post exhibit at the launch area entry gate. Parking on site and a portable toilet are also available.

 

Proposed Accessibility Improvements & Questions for Public Input

 

1.       Parking:  Proposed short term accessibility improvements will add accessible parking spaces, signage and accessible picnic tables. A portable accessible toilet was installed in April 2009.

 

2.       Visitor Orientation, Publications and Website: Within six months the park web site will be updated with the most current available information regarding accessible facilities, areas, and programs and will be routinely updated to reflect the latest information as the park Accessibility Action and Transition plans are implemented. The web site will include specific point of contact information for those who may need to request accommodations, such as sign language interpreters, in advance. Within the short term, the park will design the primary self-guide brochure in large print and format the content for Braille, audio formats, and electronic file for posting on the park web sites. Within the short term, the park will develop a thermoplastic, raised-line map as temporary/portable visitor use and orientation. In the midterm, the proposed accessibility improvement includes the design of new wayfinding signage with tactile maps and a 3-dimensional model of the site.

 

3.       Video: In the short term, the 7-minute video which gives an overview of the Nike Missile Site will be open captioned and audio described.

 

4.       Missile Test Building: This building is considered the first stop along the guided tour, equipped with exhibits and a video. The historic side entrance has a change in level rendering it inaccessible. The proposed short term solution calls for the garage door to be converted for use as the primary accessible entrance with the installation of accessible hardware and an automatic opener.

 

5.       Exterior Routes, Waysides and Interpretive Signs: Within one year, the Park proposes to develop a system-wide design and implementation plan to update all fundamental (i.e. key to enjoying the primary experience of a site) park orientation kiosks, panels and maps to include visitor information in multiple modes such as graphics, text, tactile elements and audio. Within the second year, the Park proposes to develop a comprehensive plan for the use of audio description at waysides and begin implementation of the delivery system park-wide. As a midterm solution, the park proposes to replace the section of asphalt path and concrete pads at the battery control trailer and the missile tracking trailer to create access into the trailers. In the long term, a Cultural Landscape Report will be developed to address the need to re-grade and correct cross slope issues along the asphalt roadway which is used as the primary pedestrian route to the missile launch area.

 

6.       Tours and Talks: Within the short term, the park will acquire a portable assistive listening system that can be used by park visitors for tours and talks. In addition staff have identified qualified local service providers for real time captioning, live audio description and sign language interpreters; and will establish a policy where the request for these services is five days in advance and publically post the policy in the program marketing materials including brochures, advertisements, the Nike web sites. In the midterm, the park proposes to develop a virtual tour for use on the website and through downloads.

Questions: Public comment is requested on the type of assistive listening system and features that should be acquired. Comment is also requested on user experience with various models including performance and any maintenance issues. In addition, the park seeks comment on whether to establish a weekly or monthly schedule to more regularly provide sign language interpreters for day visits to the Nike Missile Site.

 

7.       Exhibits: Within two years, the park proposes to develop a comprehensive plan for retrofitting or redesigning exhibits utilizing the principles of universal design, Harpers Ferry Center and Smithsonian accessibility guidelines. In the short term, staff will be trained in audio description, an audio described tour will be developed and Braille versions of all exhibit text will be made available.

 

Additional Comments

 

Please provide comment on other areas of accessibility concerns that may not be presented in this summary document.

 

Nike Missile Site Comment Sheet (Mail Only)

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