‘I just had enough’: This Cambridge dad shovels accessible parking spots for his son | CBC News
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Walking through large amounts of snow on a sidewalk or parking lot is a challenge, but in a wheelchair it’s nearly impossible.
The City of Cambridge has faced concerns from residents about inadequate snow clearing and salting this winter, especially for those with accessibility needs.
Devin Sisak, founder of local grassroots organization Barrier-Free Cambridge, is one of the concerned voices.
His 13-year-old son, Holden, uses a wheelchair and is often unable to move through the city if there’s lots of snow.
“So this winter’s been like exceptionally tough for him. We usually get out in the winter. The snow has been relentless,” Sisak told CBC News.
“And every time we wake up, there’s more snow and it’s built up and it’s really kept him inside,” he said.
Sisak said one of the reasons they weren’t able to get out of the house was because accessible spots in municipal parking lots weren’t properly cleared in downtown Cambridge. He says on Jan. 26, he noticed the spots near city hall were covered with snow, and one spot was even being used for snow storage.
After reaching out to accessibility staff, he came back to the same parking lot three weeks later and says the spots were still full of snow.
“It really bothered me,” said Sisak. “And one day I just had enough of it and threw some shovels in the van after work, and came down and shoveled them out, so that on the weekend, I’d come down with my son and not have to worry about it.”
Large amounts of snow this winter have made it difficult to move around, especially for those with accessibility needs. Devin Sisak, founder of Barrier-Free Cambridge, is working to raise awareness about accessibility, especially during the winter months. City councillors are set to vote on a motion to ensure increased and more timely snow removal, following a winter of ongoing concerns about road maintenance and sidewalk safety. If this passes, Sisak says he hopes it means the city will be more accessible for everyone.
Sisak’s concerns are being heard by a local councillor.
Ward 3 Councillor Corey Kimpson says she was made aware of the snow removal issues after residents from her ward began tagging her on social media. This prompted her to go into the community and check out the issue for herself.
“When someone brings a concern to my attention, I like to go out myself and check it out, just so that I can truly understand what the need is, what the concern is,” said Kimpson.
She found the complaints to be founded, and said “they weren’t cleared in a manner that would work well for someone who required the accessibility.”
Kimpson took photos of the municipal accessible parking spots, sent them to city staff and found the spots were cleared shortly after.
She said the amount of snow received this year, along with salt shortages have contributed to the lack of snow removal, but also people may not realize the importance.
“For myself, if I park in a spot and if there’s snow or ice in the area where I get out, I have to be careful. I have to exercise caution, but I can still maneuver,” Kimpson explained. “For someone who uses a mobility device, maybe someone that has a stroller, that snow or ice can prevent them from moving. And even if they are able to get through it, it certainly makes their journey less safe.”
She says the city has a job to ensure community spaces are accessible for everyone.
“That means that we need to really look at when we’re working on our snow clearing and our maintenance of these lots, that we are prioritizing the accessible spots and that we’re maintaining them throughout the weather.”
On Thursday, Cambridge city council will vote on a motion to improve snow removal.
If passed, staff will be required to provide a report to council in March explaining the Provincial Minimum Maintenance Standards for winter operations, identify challenges from this winter season and present more options to enhance service levels, such as more timely snow removal and salting of residential road and city sidewalks.
Kimpson, along with Councillor Sherry Roberts, are looking to further amend the motion with a specific focus on accessible spots and walkways.
Currently, the City of Cambridge has a contractor for snow clearing that arrives at municipal parking lots within 24 hours after a snowfall and if the amount of snow exceeds five centimetres.
The City of Cambridge said in a statement that snow removal can be a challenge, since some vehicles may occupy spaces on a longer-term basis.
“In situations where a spot is clear at the time snow removal crews are on site, they will make every effort to clear the snow as much as possible but may need to return,” the statement said.