CITY OF LONG BEACH
CITIZEN’S ADVISORY COMMISSION ON DISABILITIES
Kim Vuong, Chair Nubia Flores, Commissioner VACANT, Vice Chair Marissa Gonzalez, Commissioner Dr. Gretchen Swanson, Secretary Jeremy Hill, Commissioner Stephen Adams, Commissioner Dr. Chris Karadjov, Commissioner Dr. Nicholas Matthews, Commissioner
May 12, 2022
Mayor and Councilmembers
Tom Modica, City Manager
411 W Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA 90802
Re: Parklets that promote Mobility for All in the City of Long Beach
Almost immediately, the COVID pandemic took a toll on small businesses in Long Beach, including restaurants and bars. For many of these restaurants and bars to remain open, the City understandably created a temporary parklet program which allowed for outside dining in spaces this would normally not be permitted. We are relieved that our City is now beginning to return to normalcy, including inside gatherings, and moving forward economically.
Now is the time to re-evaluate the City-permitted temporary parklet program. CACoD has been made aware that many of the temporary parklets approved during the pandemic have unintentionally resulted in right-of- way restrictions, and at times inaccessibility, for our disability community. Although there have been attempts to enforce 5 feet of clear pedestrian access, this must be a temporary measure allowed during the pandemic.
We know and have experienced along several corridors that the 5 feet of clear pedestrian access is not maintained nor enforced, being crossed and encroached by wait staff, restaurant customers and other members of the public, and sidewalk furniture without regard to pedestrians.
Our City includes residents and visitors who use a range of mobility devices, including manual and electric wheelchairs and scooters, walkers, walking canes, and all-white or red-tipped canes. Additionally, our residents and visitors with hearing loss require additional visual clues and support to navigate comfortably and safely.
With the impending sunset of the temporary parklets on June 30, 2022 and to sustain our economic viability – we urge the City and its departments to re-evaluate the parklets with our disability community in mind, and not after complaints are made. Additionally, we recommend a thoughtful accessibility review beyond ADA compliance before approving anymore future permanent parklets.
Lastly, we recommend that programs such as our City’s Mobility Team and the Health Department’s Walk-N- Roll Program design accommodating strategies to encourage mobility for all.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
The Citizen’s Advisory Commission on Disabilities (CACoD)
Cc: Eric Lopez, Director, Department of Public Works