FALMOUTH – Commission on Disabilities Chairwoman Kathleen Hayes spoke with Falmouth Selectmen earlier this month about the state of accessibility around town.
Though the town has achieved much, Hayes says there is still more work to be done. Haynes highlighted chipped and broken bricks near the Miachael’s Store as an example of areas needing more attention by the town.
“We’ve got the trees removed and things like that, but there are areas where we haven’t got things done, and that concerns the commission,” she said.
Hayes spoke positively about the addition of three crosswalks to the Falmouth Mall and its parking lot, with one now links a handicap parking space to the Falmouth Cinema Pub.
“It is a vast improvement,” Haynes said.
Haynes key points involved the continued work to create a safe, inclusive play space. North Falmouth School playground showcases some of the accessibility problems, Haynes said.
She said the woodchips can pose problems for wheelchair use as well as a danger if someone were to fall. Goodwill Park faces similar issues.
“You have a great swing for the handicapped at Goodwill, but look at those wood chips. If a child falls out of that swing into the woodchips and dirt, they will be hurt.”
The commission is working towards an inclusive play safe while BSS Design conducts a field survey at the Emerald House property on Davisville Road. The commission has a design and plans to move forward with it.
The planned playground is proposed by the Friends of the Falmouth Community Play Space to be named after Evan Domingues, a handicapped child whose family travels to New Bedford so he can use a swing at the playground there.
The town’s naming policy requires selectman to wait one year before acting on this naming policy for any public facilities and spaces.
About Grady Culhane
