Highland Park closure unfairly restricts some visitors

It has been reported that Highland Park’s Reservoir Drive will be closed to all nonemergency vehicles for the duration of the pandemic (June 11, “Reservoir Drive in Highland Park Closing to Vehicles”). Pedestrians and bicycles will be permitted. Parking for people with disabilities will be available at the end of Farmhouse Drive. Reservoir Drive had been open during the red and yellow phase of the guidelines.

Now that we are in the green phase, the least restrictive phase, the closure will be in effect, and Pittsburgh police will patrol and enforce this closure at the behest of Bike Pittsburgh and the Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy and was approved by the mayor.

Anyone familiar with Farmhouse Drive knows there is a considerable grade up to Reservoir Drive. Can’t you visualize some disabled people leaning on their walkers and canes climbing the grade? I am an 84-year-old woman who has enjoyed the reservoir area since I was a teenager.

I’m not disabled, but my knee isn’t what it used to be. Back in the 1950s, we didn’t cohabitate, but we did make out in Highland Park. I got engaged in Highland Park. When our first child was born, there wasn’t much money to go out, so we picnicked in the park. In fact, she learned how to go up and down steps near the fountain. I dedicated a bench in my husband’s memory around the reservoir. Now, my access to the fountain area where I walked during the worst part of the pandemic has been stopped. People of all ages, shapes, sizes, colors and physical conditions are being unfairly restricted by this closure. What else will be taken away?

MARY ALICE CASTELLI

Squirrel Hill