There will be an upcoming meeting of the Traffic Control committee (2 weeks from today, Sept. 19th) during which time the City will look at the handicapped parking question you bring up in relation to Arkalalah. Your suggestion will also be brought up with the Arkalalah organizers to get their feedback and input. The reserved lot(s) possibility will be amongst the topics discussed.
As an aside, I was not aware of one fact that I think is worth sharing. Reserved handicapped spaces downtown on Summit are not required by any law, ADA or otherwise. Although I found this to be rather strange and inconvenient, that is my understanding of the current situation. I mention this piece of information because it is pertinent in gaining a partial understanding as to why the parking is on the sidestreets right now instead of on Summit. Of course, you can get into a pretty extensive debate on all of the different reasons why the City should or shouldn't have gone above and beyond what the laws stipulate. But, that was not my intent in answering your post and I wouldn't presume to know all of the pro's and con's behind each position.
Red Rover wrote:This is just a reminder for you to be thinking about so that we can stay within the federal guidlines on parking.
The whole reason for this post was to offer some insight on planning ahead for the Arkalalah holiday.
AC1st wrote:As an aside, I was not aware of one fact that I think is worth sharing. Reserved handicapped spaces downtown on Summit are not required by any law, ADA or otherwise.
Just so you know my interest in parking spaces on Summit is because of the very reason I wrote this post. Whether the law requires you to have spaces on Summit or not, you STILL have to provide some where for the handicapped to park. Even during Arkalalah. If not by law, by compassion, by kindness or by common sense. By blocking off the avenues during the Arkalalah festival you will take most of the handicapped parking spaces. If you will look into finding altenative parking that would be fine. This city has more than parking issues to deal with for the handicapped. AC1st wrote:Of course, you can get into a pretty extensive debate on all of the different reasons why the City should or shouldn't have gone above and beyond what the laws stipulate.
I believe has already been established why there are no parking spaces on Summit. The mayor stated that you have to keep the merchants happy. And heaven forbid going the extra mile for those who are less fortunate than ourselves. If you all can't see the importance in this and other issues, I will not point it out again. End of story.
while the traffic control board is at it, maybe they should discuss why the East bound light at Kansas and Summit would not turn green for the lane going straight. I sat through two times of the Summit (North/South) traffic getting to go, and the turning Kansas (East/West) traffic getting to go, before I finally just ran the damn thing.
SG, if they don't care if your grandma or my crippled cousin has to roll their wheelchair at least a half a block to get to Graves, they are sure not going to care that you had to sit through a light twice. But let them catch you running the light and you are done for. Revenue, Revenue, Revenue.
The Senior Citizen Center reserves their parking lot for handicapped and elderly during Arkalalah. I just discovered that they have done this for years and plan on continuing to do so. Barricades with signs and sometimes even a person to direct traffic are used.
For more information call the Senior Citizen Center at 441-4419
Patrick wrote:The Senior Citizen Center reserves their parking lot for handicapped and elderly during Arkalalah. I just discovered that they have done this for years and plan on continuing to do so. Barricades with signs and sometimes even a person to direct traffic are used.
For more information call the Senior Citizen Center at 441-4419
Patrick McDonald
Awww, thank you for letting us know all about that parking lot on Saturday the day of Arkalalah. I can see you have a kind heart and a generous soul.
Patrick wrote:The Senior Citizen Center reserves their parking lot for handicapped and elderly during Arkalalah. I just discovered that they have done this for years and plan on continuing to do so. Barricades with signs and sometimes even a person to direct traffic are used.
For more information call the Senior Citizen Center at 441-4419
Patrick McDonald
Awww, thank you for letting us know all about that parking lot on Saturday the day of Arkalalah. I can see you have a kind heart and a generous soul.
I am still rather new to this, being the first forum I have ever tried to keep up with, but I thought I had it correct. If I did not please let me know.
This particular topic was specifically about parking during Arkalalah. I presented the information I had pertaining to this topic. If I have made some blunder in etiquette I apologize. I just try to put in information where I can.
AC1st wrote:As an aside, I was not aware of one fact that I think is worth sharing. Reserved handicapped spaces downtown on Summit are not required by any law, ADA or otherwise.
Patrick Wrote:I am still rather new to this, being the first forum I have ever tried to keep up with, but I thought I had it correct. If I did not please let me know.
This particular topic was specifically about parking during Arkalalah. I presented the information I had pertaining to this topic. If I have made some blunder in etiquette I apologize. I just try to put in information where I can.
Patrick, I owe you an apology by taking out my frustrations on your post. I do appreciate you letting us all know that the Senior Center reserves the parking lot for those who are handicapped during the Arkalalah Parade. What frustrates me is the fact that for several days prior too that day, the parking spaces reserved for the handicapped will not be available to those who are in need of them because of the vendors.
AC1st made it clear that the city had no legal responsibilty to provide these on Summit, but there will be times when the places reserved for those in need will be unavailible. And we don't do anything to provide for them? It was my concern not only for the day of the parade, but for those days leading up to that day. When the city is bustling and traffic is heavier than usual, where do those who need close access to the down town area park? I am sorry if I didn't make myself clearer.
We do have an abundance of handicapped folks in our town, with all of the nursing homes, state or privately funded homes for the physically and mentally handicapped here in our city/county, not to mention the many children and adults living in residences through out the county that have special needs. And all some of the leaders can say is, we don't have to legally provide above and beyond for those in need? Van accessible parking is a need for every business newly built. Why should it be any different for down town?
For example, if all of the handicapped spaces at Walmart were on the outer edge of the parking lot, and the ones closest to the front door were all regular parking, would that be ok? Why should it be any different for those down town? I know even with all of this debate, the city is not going to do any thing different than they have already done. But at least they will know that there are those who do believe different.
In closing, I will have to agree to disagree with you all on the city commission. And again, my apologies for sounding smug to you on your post.
I was a bit worried that I did something wrong. Thank you for being patient.
I understand your frustration, but I think things may be better than you may think. I do understand your perspective though. There has been very little effort to put forward any positive information.
As for Arkalalah, I listed the phone number for the Senior Center so you or anyone in need could call. I do believe they control the parking lot for the entire event. If they do not, I'm sure they would if someone expressed the need. I will not call them as I do not know or properly understand these needs. Anyone that does have a need for handicapped parking should call so the Senior Citizen Center can work towards meeting them.
Concerning the handicapped parking along Summit, that is on another topic and I will respond there so as to prevent further confusion.
After looking into this issue and hearing what had or had not been decided by the traffic board and the Arkalalah committee, I am afraid that we still have a problem. Frankly, Redd Rover, when you first brought this up, I assumed some good discussions would ensue and we'd get a few things done. I have heard suggestions of the Senior Center. I also heard something about reserving the old telephone building / education building parking lot. I still don't see that as a good enough solution.
I really did not think the Commission would need to get involved because I thought the concerns over the issue would take care of the situation and the various groups, boards, and committees would bring about a good resolution.
Although there might be some progress in this regard, I might just not be aware of what it is. So, I'd like to request that some concerned citizens show up at the next worksession or Commission meeting with some ideas. I'm not asking for more people with the same complaints. We already know there is an issue. But, the Commission isn't a parking-solution think-tank. I'd think it would be good enough to reserve a couple or a few temporary spots on each block. The able-bodied ought to be fine to walk to Summit if the need to. I'd also heard of an idea to totally block off Summit for the majority of Arkalalah week. That is interesting in some ways, but that really stymies the ability of the disabled to get downtown when the side streets are taken by vendors. The Commission doesn't pretend to have all the answers, but is certainly willing to listen. Please bring your good ideas forward in person, by phone, or by email. Next Commission meetings are Oct 1st and 2nd.
Parking for the disabled has always been reserved on the avenue in front of the old newman building (now First Intermark). The avenue is blocked but security will move the roadblocks to allow access for vans and cars equipped to load and unload wheel chairs or other special equipment. It has been this way for years. Maybe the simple solution would be to advertize this convience a little better. I believe most of the folks that visit year after year that need the access know it is available, but there are newcomers that i'am sure would be helped by a little better info.
Even though I see that there have been some parking stalls made for the handicapped down town, they are all on the avenues. I know that Arkalalah is coming soon and there will have to be decisions made to block off streets for venders. I would like to bring it to the comissions attention that if the streets are blocked off as they have been in years past that will also take most of all of the handicapped parking places downtown. This is just a reminder for you to be thinking about so that we can stay within the federal guidlines on parking. If we block off the streets, where will our handicapped persons park? I know parking is always a problem for everyone but those who are ambulitory can walk blocks if they have too. Are they going to make special places downtown for those who are non ambulitory to park? Maybe we could reserve a parking lot on A or 1st street specifically for them. That is just a thought.....Any one else have any ideas?
This is an earlier post I made in August of 2006 in regard to Definitions of a service dog. For those of you who may not know why I am so gun ho on getting convienient parking for the handicapped this may enlighten you. She is slowly getting worse every year. She has even had some days when her legs won't work all together in the past year. She is one of my two best friends in the whole world. And I am watching her and those like her getting the most convienient parking every where but downtown Arkansas City. I love her dearly and when fate takes her legs away totally, I will be her legs. There is no amount of space I wouldn't walk or run for that matter for her. But till then, she deserves the best. So we will go elsewhere when we want to shop. Some place more convienient and handicapped friendly. I know we are just two of thousands of people but this dream many people have about making down town someplace for people to want to just stroll around and spend the afternoon shopping is not for us. Keep dreaming your down town dream. It is nothing at all like the nightmare that she has lived the last few years.
August 2006/For quite sometime I have watched one of my best friends slowly give in to a unforgiving disease called MS. She has been fighting a brave fight and has had to muster strength that very few could endure. Sure he has had some low times, but for the most part she has fought this with the heart of a lioness. About a year ago she was accepted into the service dog program. She spent many weeks in a special school in training personally, and with the dog she was given. The dog is a lively little black lab female dog that is so giving and has a desire to serve. This dog is trained to do many daily tasks for her and will do many more for her as she slowly loses dexterity. My friend eats and sleeps and spends every waking hour with this dog. The dog has two levels of energy. When she has her work harness on she is a dosile and working. When my friend take off that harness you can see a totally different dog. She is playful and lovable, and full of energy. The difference is unimaginable. She is truly and WORKING DOG.
On May 12th of this year, my friend had a call that her daugher had been in a car accident here in our county. When she went to the hospital she tells me she was given attitude by the ER nurse in regard to this dog being with her. She tells me that she was finally allowed into ER with this dog but not after suffering through some rude dialogue with an ER nurse that didn't like the concept of this work dog in her ER. Not only did my friend have to suffer the thought of her daughter in this car crash, with her injuries, but to have to argue with them about her work dog being with her as well, it was traumatic for her.
This is not the first time this has happened to my friend. She has been told to leave with her dog on more than one occaision in a large chain retail store now in this area. These dogs are no different than that of a seeing eye dog. It is against the law to deny these dogs in our stores and cafe's. There are laws against it. I believe it would be best if these retail stores, food chains, clinics and hospitals would educate their employees of the situations that can arise with these dogs. And the penalty they could suffer if they don't allow them in.
I believe it important to get the word out about these type dogs. Blind people are not the only ones with service dogs. When you see a service dog at work, don't try to make contact with the dog or distract it. They are trained to service only the owner. When you call it or try to pet it, the dog won't be as committed to service. Watch these dogs work. It is truely amazing.
