Agenda Item - 2022-05-17 - Number 5.0 - Written Public Comment - Georgena Moran 5.0
A PRALL "
May 16, 2022
Lake Oswego City Council,
I appreciate the opportunity to address the Council directly about this concern for ADA non-
compliance at one of Lake Oswego's prime park locations, Stevens Meadows. I am in part, a
public user of Lake Oswego parks, as well as an ADA Accessibility Specialist, with my business
Access for All, LLC and certified with the International Code Council for over 20 years. I am the
founder and manager of Access Recreation, where I partner with federal, state and city park
agencies and organizations that promote providing equitable access to parks and trails,
especially in regards to people living with disabilities.
I am also on the ADA Stakeholder Advisory Group, providing support to the development of the
ADA Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan project. I, along with others, were chosen by Kelli
Byrd, the new L. O. ADA Coordinator, to support and provide expertise to further its
development. I am also on the Metro Natural Areas and Capital Program Performance
Oversight Committee, which oversees the 2019 Bond measure.
I have a particular interest in the Stevens Meadows Park and issues related to the ADA access
issues as they are being affected by the passage of the citizens' measure passed last
November that amended the city charter to restrict development. By default, the measure has
created obstacles to ADA compliance and equitable access.
The Stevens Meadows Trailhead Project, was in the bidding faze for adding two ADA-
accessible parking spaces and an ADA accessible bathroom. It was canceled with the passage
of the measure. The charter amendment allowed projects that had applied for a master plan to
proceed. The Stevens Meadows project did not require a master plan, so it was not pursued
prior to the measure passing.
"If this work had been adopted in a master plan for the project prior to the ratification of the
charter amendment, it would have been allowed. But Ivan Anderholm, (the director of Lake
Oswego Park and Recreation), said there wasn't an adopted master plan because the project
was developed under Clackamas County's development code, which doesn't require a master
plan to be adopted."
The ADA allows for other parks, with similar features and locations to fulfill its accessibility
requirements. There is another park nearby that fits this description. This park is Cooks Butte.
Sometimes people access the Butte trail from one location or another, depending on the length
or duration of hike they desire. Unfortunately, both do not have a parking lot, or adequate
parking at all.
To add to the problem and dire need for a solution at Stevens Meadows, the dead-end street at
Stevens Meadows where you park, only allows space for two cars on the left-hand side of the
street. The day that I went to the site, two cars were already parked there, so I had to park on
the right. As you can see from the following pictures, I couldn't deploy my ramp because of the
steep lip, leading to the rocky natural surface. Then, when you left, there wasn't enough room
to turn around, so you must back into traffic on the two-way street that led you to the parking
ACCESS FOR ALL LLC
area. Definitely a safety issue. While I was there, one of the cars left, and you can see it
backing up into the street in the next photo.
As previously mentioned, I serve on the Metro Oversight Committee to ensure the 2019 Metro
Parks and Nature Bond prioritizes access in bond investments. My wish is for Lake Oswego to
remain competitive in applying for funding and inclusive in regards to access to its parks and
trails; and that Lake Oswego parks be open for all its citizens to have equal opportunities to
recreate, including people with disabilities, who find respite and joy being in nature, as much as
it is true for everyone.
My hope is that the Stevens Meadows previous proposal to add a parking lot with accessible
parking spaces and an accessible restroom can be revisited, and a solution be found to allow
this to proceed, so everyone can enjoy this beautiful natural resource.
Thank you,
Georgena—aeoraena(c A4Allc.orq_
f6/764,
Georgena Moran, co-owner
Access for All, LLC
Founder and Project Manager of Access Recreation and the AccessTrails project
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