Vasona Lake accessibility project continues to move forward
It’s been a slow moving process but there is finally some significant steps taking place as part of the project by the Santa Clara County Parks & Recreation Dept. to make the Vasona Lake boating center accessible to those with a physical disability. NorCal SCI, which championed and helped pass a resolution by the County’s Board of Supervisors in December of 2018 to allocate $600,000 toward this project, has had a seat at the table during each of the three meetings involving stakeholders and community organizations charged with the task of completing this project.
At its most recent meeting on Dec. 17th, the company tasked with organizing, planning and developing a blueprint for this project, Sandis, presented two design options for a new dock and launch pad that would allow the use of kayaks and canoes by those with a physical disability. As the only organization attending these meetings representing the disability community, NorCal SCI co-founders Nick and Franklin, felt that both options are viable and acceptable to move forward with.
Aside from the design, the most important element that NorCal SCI has repeatedly raised at these meetings is providing assistance for individuals with a physical disability to use the services. We are excited to be at these meetings as it provides us with an opportunity to teach others on the committee about the needs of our community. There are some significant challenges involving providing such assistance but we have been adamant that without it, this project is a non-starter. While there is enthusiasm to find ways to accomplish that goal, understandably, there is the fear of the unknown, of not being sure what the work would entail.
In terms of when the project is likely to be completed, it’s difficult to arrive at an exact date due to various unknown issues that need to be mitigated but it’s likely to be 2022. While that seems like a long way, we are determined to ride this project until the day of grand opening when Vasona Lake would become one of the fewest parks in California offering accessible boating activities. We will continue to keep you posted as more meetings and discussions are held.