In its discussion Monday night over the proposed bond ordinance to fund repairs and furniture at Verona Pool, the Town Council gave a sneak peek of some planning that might one day make the pool more accessible to Veronans with mobility issues. The work, which does not appear to be part of the projects covered by the proposed bond funding, could add a second wide set of steps on the northern side of the shallow end and, on the western side of the pool, a large ramp that could make for easier walk-in or water wheelchair access. The new steps and ramp would be open to all pool members.
Currently, pool users with limited mobility have only the often crowded steps at the southern side of the shallow end, or a wheelchair lift that is stored in one of the pool sheds. But Verona officials and Pool Committee members have apparently been studying wheelchair ramps in use in other town pools to see how one could be implemented in Verona. The ramp would be cut into the pool deck on the western side and would not affect the depth of the shallow end.
If the work does eventually take place, it would be the latest in a series of changes to the pool to make it more handicap accessible. When the pool was renovated two years ago, handicap parking spaces were expanded, a wheelchair-accessible family bathroom added, and four tables placed around the pool deck to accommodate people in wheelchairs. The tables, which are marked by signs and teal umbrellas, are on either side of the shallow end, by the diving well and in the baby pool area. These tables, like the others that surround the pool, cannot be reserved, but handicapped individuals can request that other pool-goers vacate them if needed.
This news is fantastic! Much credit goes to the people who planned and took initiative in advance to think outside the box.
Nice! What about the baby pool? Take out the step and replace that with a sloping ramp. Remove the zebra-on-a-coil riding toy with a palm tree sprinkler. People of all abilities and ages would be able to enjoy both changes. Oh, install a cover over part of the pool. It is way too hot. I miss being able to sit under the cool trees on the south side.
Sarah, these sound like the kind of ideas that you ought to share with the Pool Committee. That’s Lynn Cummings, Thelma Matthews, Kathy Mortara, Paula Von Rosendahl, Marion Gillespie, Diane Mahn, Greg McCann and Sam Zamloot. Frank Sapienza was the Town Council liaison in the last Council term and Michael Nochimson, who was on the Pool Committee in the past, is now on the Council. Not sure which one of them will be the liaison going forward.