Project Access

Sch'dy Park's Department excavates

Trout Unlimited dedicates deck to Central Park in Schenectady

 “Project Access”         STAGES and CONTACT IDEAS          April 29, 2003

The initial endeavor was prompted by a need to offer the disabled a chance to get back on the water or attempt to learn to fish by whatever means possible determined by an individual’s disability.  I might add that there are many available adaptations in a subscription magazine called “Disabled Outdoors.” Currently, I do not have it at fingertip but it can be accessed on the web. Some good success stories and product literature

Another mag. Called Access to Recreation  http://www.AccessTR.com  
Access to Recreation,Inc.  8 Sandra Court  Newbury Park, Ca. 91320-4302  
---Tel # 1-800-6344351—Owner name Don Krebs .

Initial attempts to lure disabled out of home security fell short of expectations, however, those who attended our seminars were repeats for future classes.  In my judgment, most of them did not wish to show what they thought to be too much of a challenge. Those who did attend were comfortable with themselves.

The old expression “ being mentally secure with oneself “ has some play in some minds. Others do not care what people think.  I happen to be an amputee and my other leg was mangled loosing half of the calf muscle and I no longer wear shorts or bathing suit making it easy to be in public without answering the “what happened “ questions.  I, being overly gregarious, enjoy people and am comfortable in public which keeps me from being self conscious in spite of the necessary crutch.

First of all, I suggest considering the disadvantage of a dock over any stream or river because of liability problems. Most moving water has the potential of rising for reasons of heavy snow or flood problems and not to mention unsupervised children hanging over and/ or slipping.  Our dock, while not totally protected from every possible happening, at least, has a few problems solved.  We have a dam controlled level for the lake which means the water in front of dock is never more than 3 feet deep.  The Parks Dept is constantly on duty (during work hours ) and has periodic patrols throughout the night where the area is checked.  We contributed the dock to the City Parks Dept. therefore it is covered under city insurance.

Procedure process:

Contact Park supervisor- explain the idea ---Bring rough sketches of plan

Super ran idea by the Mayor- was approved

Super set up appointment w/ City Counsel – appointment made at next meeting

Bring 10 copies of plan to meeting  -- answered questions - gained their confidence as I ,a  disabled individual promised no expense to City for materials. I would secure all materials and TU volunteers — City did offer man  and machine for excavation of their property and monitored progress. City set all permits.

City Counsel offered contact w/ their Architects to review my plans — Made appointment and they liked the project — offered to draw plans gratis -- took a couple of weeks — assigned an associate to me.

At this juncture I must explain my selling point to secure money or cost of labor ….Our offer to any contributor was simply  “ Any company contributing $500.00 or more in funds or labor would have their Company's name emblazoned on a plaque  – mounted on an adjacent boulder near the dock for all to see”.

Architect and City surveyors met w/ me to lay out corner posts – A height off water was  determined

I contacted my mason who also fly fishes — he liked the project and our offer to mount his name. He donated his time if I could secure materials.

Contact made w/ a concrete block co. – they liked the advertising idea and donated all materials to build a counterbalance wall for a cantilever as the dock protruded over water by approx. 3 feet. — It was 5 feet out from the front of the 4 sonotubes shown on the sketch. To reach from wall out over water. Their discount to me covered contribution level for name on plaque.

Materials delivered after about two week wait.

Trout Unlimited went to work. On first available Saturday with about eight people. Most were senior citizens  and everyone brought their favorite hammer and cordless drill. Parks Dept. allowed us to use their major generator allowing two circular saws to draw juice at same time.

I might add at this time that I had cleared with Chapter Board of Directors to keep all receipts for gas generators, coffee breaks and lunches for all workers, always. We wanted the guys happy you know.

Age range of guys was 87,  71, 64, 30’s, 40’s, 50’s on down to some new muscle in the 20’s.

Weather put a kink in our plans to work as we started aggressively just before Thanksgiving on through towards Christmas and then we shut down for winter with the deck on and the major posts set. We wrapped it up w’ vinyl fence so no one would be hurt and skates did not dig deck surface.

Spring came and we jumped on it again.

Architects required us to use ¼" cable for sides all around perimeter—below top rail and above kick board at approx. 4” inch spread between cable.  We objected at first but once we saw it done the cabling did allow for a less closed in railing look than a wood railng. Note picture.

I secured about 3’ diameter boulder from a gravel co. and did purchase it for about $18.00 – getting it delivered cost $150.00.

Contacted sign co. who recommended no brass because of it’s appeal to youth pilfering. We decided on a very durable plastic, gold in color and printed description of project by whom, date and names of contributors.

We started to chisel out the 18” square dimensions of plaque to embed  it below surface disallowing any prying to remove same. Signs were also made for mounting on horizontal kick rails: PUBLIC FISHING DOCK—HANDICAP ACCESSIBLE and our CATCH & RELEASE mantra   They made two 5x5 square wheelchair  signs to mount on corner posts facing inner dock.  There were 11 contributor names  on the plaque.

Parks Dept. was pleased at the progress and offered their mason to extend their own sidewalk down to the dock. They planted decorative shrubs and flowers on sides at ground level.  We included their name on plaque as their contribution was well in excess of $500.00 limit

Throughout the entire process  we kept in contact w/ media  and drew fair coverage from the newspapers along with some TV spots.

At the grand opening we invited all contributors, the Mayor, and local assemblymen along with a host of TU’ers . The Parks Dept. came through again putting chairs all over dock and they were filled. A local Boy Scout Troop conducted a Flag ceremony. Our president, Bob Mead, mc’d the program and the introductions and any contributor representative wishing to speak did have time. I must say that I forgot to put the ribbon up for the mayor to cut but everyone got over it joking about my memory.

As a part of their contribution our local Rehab. Hospital, Sunnyview, was promised an annual disabled fishing clinic hosted by TU Members. The event will be perpetual as they bring many patients and therapists to help w/ patients. We have co-ordinated this w/ a rain date and they bring whatever adaptive equipment to enable manipulation of fishing gear. We put up picnic umbrellas to shelter patients as the railings have been drilled to accommodate them. Rod holders are made out of pvc and mounted under the front rail which is tilted towards fisherman  for comfortable resting while in wheelchair.

We do give a short talk on the many methods of fishing even though most decide to use closed face spin reels which fit into rod holders. We bring cold drinks, worms and minnows  for all who cannot handle flies  and we are proud to say that EVERYONE CATCHES FISH and that smile says it all and is payment enough. We will do this every year.

We have some patients who express future interest in pursuing more fishing –we remain open to offering that service. Our volunteer’s are terrific! !

There are many species of fish in the lake but no trout much to our dismay.  However, our purpose here is to help the disabled get back to fishing isn't it ?

Our latest pursuit is to start a TEACH KIDS TO FISH and we will convene after 4th of July every Tuesday from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm. If a child shows up for all lessons and does not have a fishing pole we will provide one. Currently, we are contacting local companies to donate simple closed face rod & reels.

Add’tl info—Contact, Bart Chabot ---e-mail or  tel.# 518-393-9918

The dock is for public fishing; however, COURTESY should be given to anyone DISABLED.