Resident urges city to fix inaccessible ADA parking at downtown farmers market

Johns Gonska and Dawn Kamensek addressed the council during public comment. Dawn Kamensek, who gave her address as 10834 West 116th Terrace, described repeated problems with accessible parking at the downtown farmers market and asked the city to ensure van-accessible spaces with access aisles and safe surfaces.

Kamensek said market stalls often occupy the marked accessible spaces and the temporary North Lot lacks van-accessible aisles and has a dangerous slope, leaving people who use mobility devices unable to safely load or unload. "My son uses an electric wheelchair. We need a van accessible space with enough room for the wheelchair ramp and for him to safely get into and out of the van," she said. She added that, on multiple occasions, market personnel removed cones she placed to reserve space for the ramp, forcing her to get someone to move the van and then find the cones afterwards.

Kamensek told the council she had provided photographs and ADA guidance and urged staff and market organizers to focus on usability, not just labeled spots. She asked that temporary solutions ensure van-accessible aisles, equivalent accessible spaces if any are coned off, and better coordination with market staff so cones and reserved spaces are respected.