While watching a city council meeting on August 3, 2015 I heard Mayor Zanni announce that the city installed a water park at the Gil Avenue Park in Methuen. My wife and I were excited to hear that news because we have grandchildren who enjoy the water park in Haverhill to which we’ve visited on many occasions. It was nice to hear that Methuen had created such a park right here in our own city and I planned on checking it out the next day before the dedication.
On August 4, 2015 about 9:00 am I went to the park to view the splash park and what it had to offer before the 10:00 am dedication. I was impressed initially that Methuen had created something new and special for the children in the city especially at the Gil Avenue Park area to which I spent many days as a young boy playing in the fields there.
As I looked the area over my instincts for accessibility came into immediate play and I noticed that the path leading to the splash park ended about fifteen feet from the splash pad making it impossible for any child in a wheelchair to get onto the pad to enjoy this new entertainment opportunity the city created for area children.
As I was talking with some DPW workers that I knew a city department head pulled up. I asked him why the city didn’t complete the walkway that would allow wheelchair children wasn’t completed. Apparently it wasn’t a question he appreciated and I was then verbally attacked with vulgarity and was told “we haven’t finished it yet.” I then said, “then the city shouldn’t be opening it to the public until it’s finished.” With obvious frustration the department head speed away and the dedication went on as scheduled.
I then witness city councilors, the mayor and other officials gather to dedicate the facility but I was extremely disappointed that once again a public facility created by this city for the public failed to make it accessible, especially to children. It didn’t surprise me but it was disappointing to say the least that this continues in this city each and every time.
The picture you see above is a picture I took of the splash park on that day that shows the walkway doesn’t meet up with the splash pad. The child showing in the picture is my added photoshop depicting a child sitting at the edge not able to participate as an example of discrimination. I posted that picture on Facebook on a Friday evening almost a year later to get the attention of the city. They finally got the message and they were out the following Monday extending the walkway to meet the splash pad.The question is why it wasn’t made accessible in the beginning and why wasn’t it addressed until I posted a “picture to shame” to get the city’s atetention?
Obvious question. Why? Why does this city continue to fail in it’s legal and moral obligation to make public facilities accessible to those with disabilities who live in and visit our city?
Sid Harris