Improving downtown accessibility

By Miriam Ostermann, Associate Editor

The Town of Strathmore is improving downtown accessibility by standardizing all future public handicap stalls and increasing the number of total handicapped stalls by 25 per cent.
The Ultimate Accessibility Plan, accepted as information by Strathmore’s council members during the regular council meeting on June 6, addresses proper signage, curb drops from the road surface to the sidewalk, and painted handicapped symbols, as well as the addition of 24 future handicapped parking stalls – an increase from the existing 13.
While the private handicapped parking stalls will remain at 20, the overall number of handicapped parking stalls in the downtown area – from Lakeside Blvd. to Wheatland Trail and First Avenue to Fourth Avenue – would increase to 44 stalls from 33.
“I want to make sure that we’re clear on what is expected of a handicapped stall, so when we put this into the standards it will meet what council and the community would like,” said Mark Ruault, director of infrastructure and development services with the Town of Strathmore.
“We hope that if we can properly sign and notify the public that (these are) handicapped stalls, increase the number of them, add the wheelchair ramps, add the letdowns at the intersections to make sure that people can get around the downtown, we will have an accessible downtown for seniors and people with mobility issues.”
Ruault sought direction from council on properly identifying and standardizing handicapped parking stalls within the downtown core while providing three options that meet the Alberta Building Code and Barrier Free Design guidelines. Council was asked to consider either just painting a symbol on the pavement, painting a symbol on pavement along with a sign on a post, or a symbol on pavement with a sign on the post and a curb ramp.
Discussions focused on the colour of the paint, issues surrounding hazardous slippery conditions depending on the amount of paint on the pavement, cost of the initial paint and yearly maintenance of repainting, and greater ease and space for those with mobility issues to manoeuvre around their vehicle.
Coun. Melanie Corbiell spoke about hearing from several residents who mistakenly parked in one of the downtown handicapped parking stalls; they had failed to notice the white paint or the sign that she said is placed too high and not at eye level when seated inside one’s vehicle.
“I think this is a step in the right direction, it’s a huge thing; accessibility is huge,” said Corbiell. “I actually saw a post the other day of a handicapped vehicle where the wheelchair ramp was on the passenger door and someone parked really close so obviously they can’t get in. I can’t even imagine how frustrating it is. I know how frustrated I was (as) a mom and you have your baby carriers and people parked too close and I couldn’t open the doors to get in, let alone a wheelchair. I would like to see the paint, the signs, the wheelchair accessible. I think that’d be great.”
Coun. Lorraine Bauer also commented on having the symbol on pavement and the benefit of having a sign, especially when snow covers the pavement during the winter months. Additionally, Coun. Tari Cockx also discussed the possibility of having a courtesy sign for people with young children – often in need of the ramps – to share the handicapped stalls.
Yet the loss of 19 regular parking stalls to accommodate those with mobility issues did raise a concern for Coun. Denise Peterson.
“I’m not a downtown businessperson so I don’t know what I don’t know in terms of that. I would defer to planning and development on that matter of the idea of losing those 19 stalls to handicapped,” she said. “My preference has always been to think about courtesy. The ramps are critical. It fits in with the work we were doing about becoming an accessible community and that’s really important.
“We’re a community where 25 per cent are senior and 25 per cent of our population is under 35, so I think that’s a consideration. It’s a balancing act.”
Administration recommended council adopt the Ultimate Accessibility Plan for handicap parking and wheelchair ramps, and that all future public handicap stalls are standardized to include a curb drop, sign on post and painted white handicap symbol. Council unanimously voted in favour of accepting the report as information. Coun. Bob Sobol and Mayor Pat Fule were absent during the regular council meeting on June 6.