New Haven’s Parks Department has proposed a new plan to expand car access to East Rock Summit Road. The proposal, presented to the city’s Commission on Disabilities, would allow cars on the road on Saturdays, in addition to the existing Sunday access.
Proposal Details
The plan includes a permit-based system, with a limit of 50 vehicles per day, and 15 of those permits would be reserved for individuals with disabilities. The proposal also includes a monthly First Friday Sunset Access program and a long-term vision for automated gate technology.
Commissioners expressed mixed reactions to the proposal, with some praising the increased access and others criticizing the plan as not equitable. Commissioner Becca Miller suggested that the city could use a gate with a code instead of a permit system, while Commissioner Bobby Berriault proposed using remote management of the gate and allowing anyone with a handicap sticker to access the road.
The commission chair, Tricia Palluzzi, expressed disappointment that the Parks Department had not pursued a golf cart-based system, which had been previously recommended. The commissioners also discussed the potential costs and logistics of implementing the proposal.
Original reporting: New Haven Independent — read the source article.
