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Sharon disability commission urges beach access fixes, suggests closing parking until ADA repairs
Summary
Paul Remy of the Sharon Commission on Disabilities outlined multiple accessibility hazards at the community beach — an unpaved ADA parking spot, a damaged ramp railing, obstructing trash cans and difficult concrete-to-gravel transitions — and recommended closing the lot until fixes are made; Recreation said it will work with the commission.
Paul Remy, representing the Sharon Commission on Disabilities, told the Council on Aging on May 18 that Memorial Beach has multiple accessibility hazards and urged swift remedial action, including a proposal to ban the parking lot until the ADA parking spot is made safe. “The ADA parking spot is not paved making it difficult and dangerous for individuals to maneuver on the pebbles,” Remy said.
Remy reported that the beach’s ADA-compliant ramp has a damaged railing — “parts of the rail have been pulled off” — and proposed designating a fishing area for people with disabilities or installing an accessible pier. He also described site-specific barriers: trash cans obstruct wheelchair clearance near the bathrooms and concrete-to-gravel transitions create height barriers; he suggested extending the existing ramp near the water bubblers to provide accessible access to bathrooms and the snack shack.
Hanna Switlekowski of the Select Board responded that Recreation has been made aware of the ADA parking and ramp-rail issues and is willing to work with the Commission on Disabilities to address them. Remy said he is also seeking more town resources to improve overall inclusion, including accommodations at Town Meeting such as brighter screens and accessible voting clickers.
No formal motion or vote on closing the parking lot was recorded in the minutes; the minutes record discussion and willingness by Recreation to collaborate.
