By Logan Wells, News Director | Logan@kymnradio.net
We have shared updates in recent newscasts about the city of Northfield’s plans to renovate several parks over the next few years. However, as plans are being made, Age Friendly Northfield has been actively involved in the planning process to ensure that the designs help keep the park welcoming to residents of all ages. CC Linstroth of Age Friendly stated that they were past the “Isn’t that cute” and instead focused more on smooth and simple designs:
“But these surfaces are very important, so we keep them smooth for people with any kind of mobility devices. And then we also want to follow the ADA, which is the Americans with Disabilities Act, which provides guidelines for walkways, ramps, and slopes. So a 5% gradient or less is the mandate.” – CC Linstroth of Age Friendly Northfield, on KYMN In the Morning.
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Additionally, she noted that meant having sufficient curb cuts to allow for people to get up to the sidewalk and the road easily.
Picture by Logan Wells/Friends of Downtown
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Beyond making the park accessible, Linstroth and Age Friendly have also sought to create community-building opportunities, in particular, the benches located in the park. Linstroth said it’s important not only that the design of the benches is easy for everyone to get in and out of, but also where they are located. Instead of having a standalone bench, Linstroth encouraged placing them across from each other:
“And these park bench arrangements need to start looking at different ways to have them face each other so that we can encourage people to talk and socialize.” – CC Linstroth of Age Friendly on KYMN in the Morning
At a recent public meeting about Central Park’s design that KYMN News attended, Linstroth’s advocacy of these design elements was well-received and noted to be incorporated into the plans.
Renovations are planned for Central Park, Dresden Hill Park, and Riverside Park next year, with final designs expected to be approved in the next few months. Will keep posted when we have more details.
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