Over the past week or so there has been a lot of talk in the media of the wrong people parking in designated Disabled (Mobility impaired) Parking spots. These are prime spots that serve a definite purpose – making building access easier for people who face more than their share of mobility challenges. Stores, Banks, Hospitals all have them and generally people are courteous enough to leave these spots for people who really need them. I see here in Clarenville that Wal-Mart has taken this idea further by adding designated parking spots for people with toddlers – good on ‘em!
Taking Wal-Mart’s cue further, there is a large and growing group of aging people who are finding it increasingly difficult to walk any distance. As early baby boomers push into their late 60’s,70’s & 80’s they too should be considered for special parking treatment in key places such as health care facilities.
As my mother-in-law points out, it’s hard to find a spot to start with, let alone one that is reasonably close.
As you grow older, need more health care services, can’t walk as far, you should be able to take advantage of “preferred parking”.
As Clarenville stakes its claim as being an Age Friendly Community this idea might be something that organizations like Eastern Health, Government buildings and Municipal offices could pursue. These Public organizations could be setting a new standard that private businesses could follow – it’s really a simple idea whose time has come.
Thank you for being another voice in creating addittional awareness around the abuse of fire lanes parking, special parking spots and parking around public buildings, such as the post office, the hospital and shopping malls. Some people tend to pay absolutely no attention to the signage and also have no consideration for older adults , who may have mobility problems and need to dropped off closer to entrance ways, or park their vehicle in a blue zone. Over the last two years Random Age-Friendly Communities Board has been trying to get out the message of illegal parking behavior through a public awareness/ education campaign . In colaboration with the RCMP , we have developed a windshield brochure advising drivers of the illegally parked vechicle that they are blocking free access to entrance ways and thereby placing others at risk. When confronted by Board members, the response is sometimes not pleasant . We have had discussions with management at Walmart,the Co-Op Store , and the Random Mall. All have agreed to remind their customers through their public address system not to park around entrance ways and to be mindful of the needs of others, who may have mobility issues . Still the problem exists . The solution obviously is better enforcement and a ticket structure to bring about change. The business and professional community have a role to play as well .
ReplyDeleteLeo Bonnell, Vice-Chair
Random Age-Friendly Communities Board