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Residents press city on ADA access, John Bernard Park timeline and sidewalk citations
Summary
Residents raised concerns during public comment about delayed accessible playground equipment at John Bernard Park, missing ADA ramp cutouts at Dallas High School, and trash-can sidewalk citations; staff said the park will be built this summer and ramp work is being coordinated with the school district.
Multiple residents used public comment at the Jan. 25 Dallas City Council meeting to press the city for updates on accessibility improvements and to raise concerns about enforcement of sidewalk obstructions.
Mandy Strauss, who identified herself as the parent of a child with disabilities, told the council the all-abilities playground equipment for John Bernard Park was purchased in 2022 but the park remained incomplete and families were traveling outside the community to use accessible playgrounds. "We have to travel pretty far out of our own community to be able to swing, play at a park, be a family," Strauss said, adding that she had previously reported a broken curb cut near Dallas High School that prevented wheelchair access.
Mayor Slack and staff later addressed Strauss during council reports. Public Works Director Gary Marks said the John Bernard Park project had been delayed by grant conditions that required a cultural resources survey and other compliance work tied to state grant funding. "That delayed the project from 2023 until where we are today, getting that constructed this summer," Marks said. He added that the city had received 12 bids for the park project and expected construction this summer with "all abilities play equipment to be able to serve people with limited disabilities in our community."
On the ADA ramp near Dallas High School, Marks said the city is coordinating an intergovernmental agreement with the school district to divide which ramps each party will construct, and he said staff expect to bring that agreement to council soon so work can occur during the summer school break. "We'll be bringing you an agreement, an intergovernmental agreement, to work with the school district on that project soon," Marks said.
Strauss also described a notice placed on her father's trash can alleging it blocked the sidewalk. Council and staff said the trash-can enforcement topic is scheduled for discussion at the public administration committee and staff directed that topic to that committee for follow-up.
Why it matters: Residents with mobility needs told the council delays have kept accessible play structures and safe curb cuts out of reach; staff provided a construction timeline for the park and a plan to formalize the ramp work with the school district.
