The Similkameen News Leader
Editorial
March 31, 2009
GETTING KICKED TO THE CURB
It's no big secret that I've been walking to work most mornings and have been for probably the last couple months or so.
My trip takes me from our neighbourhood on Burton Avenue to the Trans-Canada Trail, across Highway 3 at the
'controlled' intersection and along Vermilion Avenue to the office on Bridge Street.
It's only a 10-minute walk (I walk fast) and over the past couple of months I've made some observations along the way.
Probably on the top of my list is the hope that something can be done about the
'controlled' crossing on Highway 3 at Burton Avenue. I use it at about 7:50 each morning and lucky for me there's barely any traffic at that hour. I'd hate to try to cross the highway in a month or two with the crossing the way it is today.
The second thing I've noticed really came to light at a meeting I attended last week of the Accessibility Awareness Committee. There was discussion about the
'waviness' of sidewalks downtown. They aren't even in places due to a variety of reasons including tree growth, frost heaves and general wear and tear.
The following mornings I walked to work and imagined if I was tracing my route in a wheelchair, a walker or in a manner other than I currently do. It surprised me to note how much of the route I walk where I walk on the pavement since most of the sidewalk in my neighbourhood is so beaten up. The stretch down Vermilion Avenue revealed to me a lot of uneven places where even a person unsteady on their feet (including some seniors) could trip and injure themselves.
In a way I was taking a risk just to walk to work.
The Accessibility Awareness Committee will continue to lobby the Town of Princeton and other governing bodies for change and it will eventually take place.
The group also plans on another 'field trip' day where members of Town Council will be invited to travel to local public destinations in the community in a wheelchair to experience first-hand the difficulties some residents encounter on what many of us would consider simple tasks around town.
I also think the committee should open that day up to anyone who needs convincing that it's not easy to get around in Princeton for everyone. Try reaching the
'controlled' crossing signal at Highway 3 and Burton Avenue in a wheelchair for example. Try to use the
'public' washrooms at Town Hall with a wheelchair. Try getting a wheelchair over some of the curbing at the end of some of the sidewalk ramps in the downtown core. Try accessing many downtown businesses with a wheelchair. It's just not that easy.
The other side of the coin is that many local businesses have recognized the need to improve accessibility for customers and have done so, and not just a little. Those who have made the changes have done so in a big way and are probably reaping benefits as a result.
The Accessibility Awareness Committee has a great idea. That is to make Princeton a completely accessible community. I think it's a great idea that demands support from all of us.
And if you can't participate on Access Awareness Day (date to be determined), maybe see if you can borrow a wheelchair and take a trip down Vermilion Avenue or wherever just to get the feel of what the issue is all about.
You'll never see a stroll down the street the same way again.
