Bourne board approves one additional accessible parking space at Veterans Memorial Community Center, refers broader ADA policy questions

The Bourne Select Board voted July 7 to add one accessible parking space at the Veterans Memorial Community Center front entrance and to send broader questions about accessible-parking policy to its policy subcommittee.

A representative for the community center asked the board for the additional space after staff and participants reported that front-row accessible spaces were regularly full during daytime programs, including chair-yoga sessions that attract about 50 participants, often arriving simultaneously. "We have four in the front and four in the back," the requester said; "the four in the front are used by those who need to check in at the front of the building."

Building Commissioner Eleanor McKay told the board the town currently provides eight accessible spaces where code requires five, but she acknowledged that the layout and program patterns create practical access constraints during peak periods. Board members discussed the need to balance strict adherence to town policy with reasonable accommodations for seniors and program participants.

Board members approved adding one front-row accessible space and directed DPW staff to prepare a plan showing the necessary striping, curb adjustments and any parking-space losses. The board also directed that the policy subcommittee consider whether town policy should be adjusted to accommodate facilities with sustained, high daytime usage by older adults.

Next steps: DPW will provide a plan for the parking reconfiguration and the policy subcommittee will draft options for consistent townwide guidance.