Ridgewood council selects a Graydon ramp design option
TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2012, 1:36 PM
BY DARIUS AMOS
STAFF WRITER
THE RIDGEWOOD NEWS
Presented with three different options for the first time in 18 months, the Village Council has penciled in its choice for a new Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant concrete ramp at Graydon Pool.
The village professional staff expects to present formal details, including cross-section drawings and renderings, at the Oct. 3 work session. If all goes according to schedule, officials believe they can have the ramp installed and ready for use by pool patrons in time for the 2013 swimming season.
Months of criticism and debate – mostly among the governing body, members of the public and longtime pool users – over the ramp’s initial design that was presented in 2011 finally slowed after last week’s site visit by ADA expert Jennifer Perry.
A compliance specialist with the United Spinal Association, Perry was retained by the village at an hourly rate of $150 on the advisement of Preserve Graydon Coalition Co-Chair Marcia Ringel. Speaking at previous council meetings, Ringel had said the original ramp plan was never “evaluated in the way that the ADA requires.”
Perry’s evaluation of Ridgewood’s historic swimming facility, which was conducted last week with members of the village recreation and engineering departments, spawned three new ramp proposals by village staff.
According to Village Engineer Chris Rutishauser, Perry was “very helpful and educational,” and her advice was considered when he drew up the new plans. He added that the engineering staff submitted their three designs to Perry, who offered favorable comments on each.
At Wednesday’s council work session, Rutishauser presented the new ramp proposals to the governing body. Though council members identified positives and negatives for each, they ultimately selected one that they believe will benefit Graydon patrons.
