PICKERING (updated 8-31-24): Regarding exorbitant cost and accessibility of Beachfront Park parking lot resurfacing : The Szpinner

The City of Pickering is resurfacing a parking lot in the Beachfront Park area of the waterfront but there are a number of problems with the plan.

A gravel surfacing is bid at $400,000 which sounds like a terribly overpriced ticket. Councillor Lisa Robinson brought up this very complaint at the Special Council Meeting of Aug. 28, to no avail. She was likely very correct in stating that in her books the cost of travelling at that price is ridiculously overpriced. The response from the Mayor’s office was that there were ancillary expenditures involved and taking them into consideration, the price was competitive.
The City needs to examine such bids with a more microscopic view as a $400,000 price tag should allow for resurfacing of the entire city, not just one parking lot.
Furthermore, “gravel”? Gravel is difficult to navigate for many people, particularly people who are physical challenged, in wheel chairs, using assisted walking devices. As one resident wrote:
[ I watch the Council meeting concerning the new gravel parking lot and the Beach Front Master Plan on Aug. 28, 2024. My concern is that the City of Pickering is building a brand new parking lot made of gravel. I know that Ontario has specific Accessibility rules and regulations that must be followed especially concerning new construction of items. There are 4 guidelines referred to as POUR that must be followed:

There are four main guiding principles of accessibility upon which WCAG has been built. These four principles are known by the acronym POUR for perceivable, operable, understandable and robust.

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I am disabled and my mobility is extremely limited especially affected by the terrain that I must use. There are certain conditions that my mobility and my accessibility is extremely limited to impossible, these being surfaces such as sand, gravel, steep grades, steps etc. All of these limiting mobility factors can be overcome especially during the preconstruction. Disabled parking spots and a pathway to the main sidewalk must be a smooth, solid flat surface with no steps. If one is concerned with runoff then there several types of permeable hard surface including asphalt along with other types that is available. I am sure that OPG would not mind the affect on their property and their environment when it comes to conforming to Accessibility rules.

Please adjust your plans for this proposed parking lot so that accessibility rules and laws are met with. There must also be several disabled parking spots included within the plans for the propose parking lot.]

We can only hope the Council reads this plea and takes it into consideration with this $400K plan. ____________________________________ Mike Borie

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COMMENTS:

[ The editorial comment about the gravel Parking lot is not accurate.

Yes, gravel costs $400,000. However, that component of the work involves setting up a staging area for the construction equipment since access will not be off Liverpool.

On completion, it will involve additional work on the parking area. At that time, it will include base gravel for drainage plus similar gravel that was used on the West Side, crushed and compacted to enable access for mobility devices. The lot will have designated disabled parking as per Provincial requirements.

The work plan clearly shows both construction aspects.

This plan was also shared with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, who had input.

I am happy to discuss it with you, but I felt you would want to know the facts.
(Message edited for clarity and comprehension)

_____________________Councillor Maurice Brenner

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