Community Corner
New Park Street Benches Benefit Seniors and Those With Disabilties
Four new benches were installed along Park Street by the Public Works Department to make it easier and more convenient for the elderly and those with disabilities to shop.
Four public benches were installed last week along Park Street that aim to make shopping easier for seniors and people with disabilities.
Designed and executed by the Public Works Department, the benches are raised slightly higher than regular benches to make it easier for people to stand up from the seated position. In addition, handles in the middle of the benches also make it easier for people to push themselves up from the bench.
“A woman contacted the Commission on Disability Issues to request public seating along Park Street so seniors can have places to rest,” said the Commission's Chairperson, Audrey Lord-Hausman in a press release. “We quickly realized that there was limited public seating in the Park Street business district and asked the City to provide some. We particularly wanted them to be user-friendly for seniors and persons with mobility challenges.”The project took about a year to complete. Mayor Marie Gilmore said the city is now waiting to get the community's feedback on them before deciding if more should be installed.
Watch the video above to hear more from Mayor Gilmore, Lord-Hausman and Joyce Andersen, the 82-year-old woman who made the initial request for more public seating along Park Street.
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