T.K. Small Talks Brooklyn Bridge Park Gravel with NY Daily News

Perhaps everyone should calm down and let this situation play out as it was planned. I will admit to no small amount of frustration over the way the park has progressed in fits and starts, and that incomplete projects were nevertheless opened to the public, but I’m trying to maintain faith that, in the end, all the issues will be addressed and redressed. Unfortunately, this project seems to have been subject to a political deadline rather than a construction one. Let’s all hope that the latter catches up to and surpasses the former.

No, No, No, that is far from what I am saying.

I respect T.K. for his work as a disability advocate. On this specific issue, I disagree with his complaint over an issue that he knew was in the process of being resolved. Putting the BBP management in a position to defend themselves was unfair.

Anyone who has been over to Pier Six and seen the completed roads knows that these roads are perfectly compatible with someone in a wheelchair.

My point is that T.K. knew that the pebbles would be cleaned off but still felt compelled to complain about pebbles on the roads at Pier One.

Like I said, if his complaint is that the roads never should have be opened until completed then I can respect that sentiment even though I disagree with it.

Judging from the small slice that I have read, I don’t think that was the thrust of T.K.’s argument. I’m sure he will respond and clarify his position sometime in the near future.

@Karl

At the risk of being long-winded, I most definitely did explain the situation at Pier 6 and would have been happy to take her there. Pier 6 in many ways is a better example of why this surface material is ridiculous. It is just as bumpy and is wearing away so that the sub-layer is already showing. However, it was threatening rain and she wanted to speak to other people. Is that my fault?

I have always maintained that this is not about my access to the park, and also explained that to the reporter. Everyone is in more than agreement that BBP is an amazing location with a spectacular view, which is going to be great. But shouldn’t it be designed so that it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible? I do not think that that is a “bogus” complaint

Be honest, are you there for the surface material or the spectacular view? Why does this have to be an all are nothing proposition? It seems that with many of the “gravel enthusiasts”, they take any criticism or disagreement of BBP as a statement that the park should be closed until perfect.

I would be more than happy to meet with Karl, or anyone else that thinks this is a trivial concern, to explain this issue from my perspective.

T.K,

Let’s put it to the test. I’ll meet you tomorrow or any time this week and we will go to Pier 6 together and I will film you going over a fully completed pathway. I will film a closeup of the wheels and if it is bumpy and causes and uncomfortable ride then I will be the first to apologize and will say so on the film.

What do you say?

The road has to be completed is my only stipulation. Not one in process. Is that fair?

T.K., I’m available all weekend with a little advance notice. Homer has my phone number and email address. As you said, it isn’t about either of us. It is about accessibility to the park’s main paths.

Can’t wait to meet you in person.

Are people allowed to ride bikes on the graveled walking paths? Isn’t there a sign saying walk bikes at the entrance to both parks?

ABC,

Of course you are entitled to your opinion as far as your surface preference. I respect that.

I never characterized individuals who prefer the original surface layer as “ungrateful whiners. This is America and you are entitled to your opinion.

We both know that most parts of Pier 6 aren’t completed with respect to the final surfacing called “chip seal”. This could explain your dissatisfaction.

This process will take possibly 2 months to be completed. In the meantime we have to make do with the surfacing that is currently in place.

Once the entire process is completed, then complaints about the surface will have much more validity.

As you are entitled to prefer the blacktop, I prefer the more natural looking chip seal. Reasonable people can disagree.

ABC, have a great day with this beautiful weather.

Interesting comparisons – wheelchairs to strollers and bicycles??

As an FHA/ADA disability advocate, the pathways should have been finished to accommodate wheelchairs/power chairs BEFORE they were opened. To some, being “jostled” in a wheelchair is akin to being skinned alive, guess you have to live it, God forbid, to understand it.

TK has been most patient, seems to me he’d be quite justified in filing an ADA complaint, I applaud his restraint.

You all need to get jobs….

Karl,

Love the videos, but you’ve crossed a line here. In your point of view, justice delayed is justice ok. Perhaps you’re looking at it from a layperson’s perspective, or as someone who is not disabled, but disability access means access to everyone at all times, regardless of their disability and on the same basis as non-disabled people. Asking the disabled community to wait several months, which is well past the summer months of maximum enjoyment of the park, is not appropriate from a personal standpoint or a legal standpoint. The Americans with Disability Act (and the New York and New York City disability access laws) provides for equal access to public accommodations. Brooklyn Bridge Park is a public accommodation under the Act. See, e.g. http://www.ada.gov/regs2010/ADAregs2010.htm, http://www.ada.gov/ and http://www.nyc.gov/html/cchr/html/public.html).

Regardless of whether you view T.K.’s wheels as being bumpy or not, his point (and he is well qualified to state his own point without me or anyone else doing it for him), is that others not as fortunate as himself will have difficulty. In my belief, you view his advocacy as only for himself. But notwithstanding his own disability, T.K. advocates for others. It is admirable and this is the point of the article once you take off your own disability un-access glasses.

The real learning issue, and perhaps teachable moment for you, is not film T.K. but to get yourself a wheelchair (manual, not T.K.’s “Escalade”) and spend time trying to navigate the path. You’ll better understand the issue. While you’re doing so, pretend you’re upper arms are not as strong, or that perhaps you have other impairments that preclude full use of your motor skills. After all, some of the disabled have multiple impairments and are not one issue folks. Try some of the local sidewalks, too, and the crosswalks without ramps, and you’ll get a sense of the problems that exist. One could, perhaps, deal with difficulties in historical areas not designed for full access. But this may account for one’s sense of frustration and wanting to get something new done right the first time, at the beginning.

I note that if T.K, or anyone else, wanted to raise a larger issue, it is easy to do so. One could either file a lawsuit or a complaint under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act with the United States Department of Justice. It is easy to do (http://www.doi.gov/diversity/civil_rights.html and http://www.doi.gov/diversity/doc/howto.htm), and an ADA lawsuit provides for attorneys fees to the party who prevails. As an attorney, and assuming he found a willing plaintiff (easy to do), T.K. would get those fees. But, like a good advocate, and because he went to the finest of law schools, he sough resolution instead of litigation. He should be applauded for acting in the public interest and not his self-interest.

Karl, I believe you come from a good place, but you need some learnin’. Where will you stand when the next disability access issue arises?

@ Julie and all others who are anti black top… Are you people nuts? Black top or macadam surfaces are used successfully in almost every park in the city and most other places as well. Direct sun will heat any surface, besides, the lighter stone reflects the sunlight where? on the person who is standing on it, thats where. But of course you didn’t think, of that…

I say lets tear this park down and erect some 70 story high projects buildings on there. The space not being used for the buildings should become parking spot as we dont have enough for residents of Brooklyn Heights.

That should satisfy everyone. We dont need a park. That is pure luxury.

I have to admit that I’m a little confused what TK’s argument is at this point. Unlike Disability Advocate, TK is not wrongly saying that this surface is illegal, because he admits that possible to ride a wheel chair on it. What I think he’s saying (and correct me if I’m wrong TK) is that asphalt would have been better from an wheelchair perspective and he doesn’t understand what the benefit of the chipseal is. If that’s the argument the I’d like to point out that the benefit is aesthetic. The park designers thought it would look better than asphalt. Period. Several design choices were made because of aesthetic reasons that are less than optimal regarding wheelchair access: changes in elevation, curvy paths, etc. And it’s not only in this park. As long as they meet minimum standards for accessibility, designers all over the city (and world) make choices that place aesthetics over access. Why are you focusing on this one?

@ bkre, One of the fundamental rules of design is “form follows function” the item should function perfectly before it looks good. In this case, the path should be easy to walk on, roll on and be easy to clean. A public place should be built to be enjoyed by all, regardless of physical ability. There is no excuse, just be cause the stone “looks good” (which it doesn’t in my opinion) does not mean a compromise should be made on its functionality.

Here’s the complaint form for an ADA violationin NYC Parks: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dpr/html/ada_complaint_form.html