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ADA committee backs ramp at Original Mine Park, urges restroom access and a walk audit
Summary
Parks staff told the Butte‑Silver Bow ADA Advisory Committee that the Original Mine Park stage lift has been broken for about 15 years and recommended removing it and installing an accessible ramp. The committee also discussed accessible restrooms at ballfields, stormwater-linked upgrades at Father Sheehan Park, and scheduled a walk audit to set priorities.
The Butte‑Silver Bow ADA Advisory Committee heard a presentation May 21 from Parks Department staff about several park accessibility projects, including a recommendation to remove a long‑broken stage lift at Original Mine Park and replace it with an accessible ramp.
The recommendation was presented by Parks staffer Shawn Fredrickson, who said the stage lift “has been broken for approximately 15 years” and that members had suggested removing the lift and installing a ramp in its place. The change would remove an accessibility barrier to the north side of the Original Mine stage and its existing concrete pad.
Why it matters: committee members stressed that restroom access and usable routes are high priorities for parks used by families and community events. Fredrickson said restroom accessibility improvements are included in the County ADA Transition Plan and noted recurring problems at other sites — for example, bathrooms at Longfellow Park froze after being reopened, and seasonal restroom closures usually run from Memorial Day to Labor Day.
Fredrickson also discussed Father Sheehan Park, where the county has obtained a stormwater improvement grant. He said restroom upgrades are not currently part of that grant but might be added by leveraging additional state funding; he will contact Hoffman about accessible portable restroom options. He noted that there are currently no storm drains off Edwards Street, which causes runoff to flow into Father Sheehan Park.
The committee proposed a walk audit at Father Sheehan Park to help prioritize available funding. Chair Cassie Weightman agreed to coordinate scheduling information via email; the transcript records a walk‑through audit scheduled for June 3 at 1:00 p.m. Board members and the public were encouraged to notify Parks staff of observed accessibility issues in county parks.
The discussion was informational: no motions or votes occurred. The committee’s next tentative meeting is Aug. 11 at 10:00 a.m. at the Butte Archives; the Parks proposals will be considered further as project planning continues.
