RIVERWALK COMMISSION AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve locations 1 and 2 west of the Webster Street covered bridge as appropriate locations for either Riverwalk or accessible benches
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Wiliam J Novack, P.E., Director of Transportation, Engineering and Development/City Engineer
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
NA
BACKGROUND:
Last fall an occupational therapy class from North Central College visited the Naperville Riverwalk and assessed the hospitality and accommodations for individuals with disabilities. Attached is the mobility assessment the class sent along with the response from the City.
DISCUSSION:
At the March Planning, Design and Construction (PDC) committee meeting we discussed the potential locations where benches could be installed on the lower walkway adjacent to Phase I of the Riverwalk. Commissioners questioned the depth of the wider areas of the walkway along with the depth of the benches and encroachments from individuals sitting on the benches with their legs stretched out.
Attached is a report prepared by the Naperville Park District showing an individual sitting on a bench with their legs stretched out at various locations along the lower walkway. The report further provides dimensions at each location along with other dimensions along the lower walkway.
At the April PDC meeting members reviewed the report and discussed the locations that provide sufficient distance from the bench to the edge of the walkway. Members at the PDC meeting agreed that locations 1 and 2 in the report, both located west of the Webster Street bridge, were the only ones with sufficient distance to locate benches at. Mary Hamill of the Accessible Communities Task Force (ACTF) attended the meeting and supported both locations. She also provided the PDC with a bench design that provides better accessibility for those who need it, a copy of which is attached.
The motion has been wr...
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