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Lingering snow creates accessibility issues

Author:Steve Patterson February 25th, 2010

ABOVE:

ABOVE: snow blocking sidewalk on 2/18/2010

Snow presents problems for most everyone but those of us who are disabled the challenges can linger long after the roads are cleared.   When using my wheelchair I typically use the sidewalk shown above to get to Washington Ave.  While the snow was long gone the pile from the adjacent parking lot remained in my way.

ABOVE: Same sidewalk the morning of 2/22/2010

ABOVE: Same sidewalk the morning of 2/22/2010

A few days later it had shrunk in size but I still went another way that is less safe.

ABOVE: February 23, 2010

ABOVE: Same sidewalk on 2/23/2010

I still couldn’t go around, I had to go through. The snow was soft enough finally for me to do so.

I use this side of the street because of issues on the other side.  The first issue is no ramp at the end of the sidewalk.  When this side is blocked I use the other side — riding in the street until I reach the access to that garage:

ABOVE: Garage exit/entry to the Ely Walker building.

ABOVE: Garage exit/entry to the Ely Walker building.

People plowing snow need to understand that sidewalks are not an acceptable place to store snow cleared from parking lots.

- Steve Patterson

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  • JZ71
    Meanwhile, in Denver, the Mayor gets called out for being less than diligent in keeping the sidewalk in front of his own home clear: http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_14466346
  • JZ71
    Dumping snow on a sidewalk is simply littering on a grand scale - call the city and have them enforce the ordinances that are already on the books . . .
  • RyleyinSTL
    According to the news letter I received in the mail after moving to South City it's the property owners responsibility to keep the sidewalks clear of snow and garbage. Failure to do so can result in a fine. If it works the same way downtown I'm assuming you could call the property owner to have the issues remedied....if not you can stick them with a fine.

    In STL I find that many people don't seem to care about clearing the sidewalk immediately after a snowfall (it not like you have to do it very often here). Perhaps this is because it really isn't that cold here in the winter and the snow never stays long? Regardless, it annoys the hell out of me. People don't think about the old lady walking her dog, the mailman, or people in wheelchairs.
  • JZ71
    A unique spin I heard since moving here is that a property owner is at greater risk of being sued if they remove snow from the sidewalk, if/when it melts and refreezes and creates icy areas - if the snow is undisturbed, it's a "natural occurance" and potentially unknown to the owner, unlike a clear sidewalk, where the property owner is assumed tro be more aware of both the conditions and the risks . . .
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