Marple residents urge township to fix accessibility barriers at parks

Marple Township resident Mike Petitti told the board on June 8 that his 9‑year‑old daughter, Grace, who uses a wheelchair, faces multiple barriers at township parks that prevent her from fully using facilities.

"There’s no acceptable accessible route connecting the lower field area to the upper field...it's all rocks, and stone," Petitti said, listing problems at Timeless Field, Matthews Field and parts of Veterans Memorial Park, including newly built stairs to a playground with no ramp and unstable surfaces between parking and pavilion areas.

Petitti described his family's experience in the parks as "not hypothetical" and said the community’s recent investments in amenities left access gaps that create dignity and usability problems for people with mobility limitations. He said he would supply photographs to township staff.

Township staff and board members responded that several fields are operated by local Little Leagues, that the township partners with those leagues on improvements, and that Veterans Memorial Park was designed to be inclusive. Staff said they would review the specific locations Petitti named and consider options such as adding ramps, paved paths or other accessible surfacing.

What happens next: The board invited Petitti to provide his photographs to the township secretary and said staff would examine the sites and coordinate with Little League where applicable.