Accessibility to LTM Park needs improvement
Just like every other able-bodied person in Prince George one local resident would like to sit on a bench at river’s edge hand-in-hand with her husband to contemplate life.
Lisa Gilliard has complained to the city for years about the inaccessibility at Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park for those facing mobility issues.
One time when she called to complain it was suggested to her that she bring her own piece of plywood.
“That’s just ridiculous,” Gilliard said, whose husband Phil, 68, was diagnosed with ALS eight years ago, and now uses a motorized scooter to get around.
Phil and Lisa attended the annual ALS Walk at the park earlier this summer and waited patiently as organizers placed a temporary ramp from the grassy park to the frontage road that was included as part of the circular path participants could walk and then again at the other end of the loop so those who can’t navigate the significant curb could gain entry back into the grassy part of the park.
At the present time, those people with mobility issues can use 17th Avenue, a busy public road, to turn onto the paved and curbed road that travels along the perimeter of the park but there’s no way to gain accessibility back into the park along the road or to the park benches that are overlooking the river.
Even if there was access, there is no place for a scooter or wheelchair to rest securely anywhere along the park’s edge or by the benches.
Lisa said she’d like to see a paved pathway that would lead from the road to the bench area and a level area where Phil could park his scooter right beside the bench so the couple could be seated sideby-side.
“We just want to have the same kind of access as everyone else has to the facilities provided by the city,” Lisa said.
When these complaints were brought to the attention of the City of Prince George, Laurie Kosec, strategic parks planner, shared the plans set in place to improve accessibility to all parts of Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park.
“We are definitely looking at improving accessibility in the park,” Kosec said. “We are already doing some of the work now.”
There has been some trail work done in and around the newly built pavilion and the trail going to 17th Ave., Kosec said.
“Where 17th Ave. meets the sidewalk and the road and parking we’ve added curb drops,” Kosec said.
Through B.C. Access North’s park audit that states what needs to be changed to make the park more accessible is a list that includes curb drops to the river-front trail.
“Because that curb is definitely a barrier, “Kosec said.
“Starting with the river-front trail we’re looking at a curb drop and trail that goes to the bandshell, having another that goes between the bandshell and the cemetery that links you from the river-front trail to the main trail, another one that will go to the Lheidli T’enneh cemetery, because right now in my mind that’s probably one of the worst because there’s no passing there.”
The plan includes more paths closer to The Exploration Place and to have punchouts with curb drops on the far side of the riverfront trail leading towards the river.
“We’re looking to have some kind of viewing platform so you can wheel up and have railings and be able to sit there and be able to enjoy the riverfront because when you’re down low, especially when you’re in a wheelchair or other mobile device, you can’t see the river. It’s very hard.
“So we recognize all of that. It’s just a matter of getting the funding in place and it’s a matter of it being a heritage site, which means when there’s digging in the ground it requires special permits and a lot more considerations so we have to be really careful.”
Kosec said the city recognizes that Prince George has an aging population and understands as the park sees continuous improvements and gets better every year, everybody would like to be able to enjoy it.
Kosec said the city also understands the part of the Heritage River Trail that links Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park to Cottonwood Island Park needs some work, too, as there are no curb drops on upper Patricia Boulevard.
“These kind of things are what we’re going to be looking at to see how they can be done,” Kosec said.
“It’s on our radar and it’s just a matter of the funding falling into place.”
Time frame depends on the city’s capital funding allotted for accessibility and there are also a lot of grant programs that need to be explored as well and Kosec said it could come together as soon as in a year or so.
“It’s important for people to let us know where they need accessibility so we understand the demand,” said Kosec, who suggests those wishing to talk about accessibility around the city contact the advisory committee on accessibility, which advocates for accessibility.
The contact number is 250-5617657.
“We’d like to know where the hot spots are and hopefully deal with them sooner rather than later,” Kosec said.