Where I live, everything necessary for me is within walking distance – the McKenzie Marsh, the Arboretum, and local supermarkets. We don’t have a second car at the moment, so I often walk to the nearby store to pick up a few things. Last year, I was pushing Matthew in the stroller, but this spring he is able to walk long distances, including to the store. I am not really in favour of pushing the stroller or pulling the wagon because once I get closer to the supermarket, the access is not very safe.
Definitely, the whole Superstore parking lot layout and store location are geared toward drivers. I checked around the whole building, and all they have are stairs on the other side. Good for nothing, really.
I thought and thought about it – what can I do? I put down a task for myself to write to the store manager to see if he or she can do something. Accessing the store’s parking lot with a stroller is not safe. In order to access it, you have to go on the road and push the stroller against the traffic. There is an alternative to go all the way around the store, then the parking lot, and then stroll back through the parking lot – probably a good additional 15-20 minutes of walking. No way, especially if I have to carry a bag full of groceries and a three-year-old in the stroller.
A couple of days ago, I was hanging out at the soccer field with my son, Matthew. I met a lady with three children. She had a one-year-old in her arms and two other children walking beside her, probably 3 and 5 years old. Inside the double stroller, she had flowers. I asked her if she came from the Superstore. Yes, she did. I asked her if she needed help with the stroller going up the hill. She refused and thanked me for my generosity.
Oh my, I had difficulty with one child and the stroller accessing the store, but three children and a double stroller – I have no idea how she did it.
I got inspired. Next week, I am going to invest some time and write a proposal to the store. I have a few ideas on how it can be done. I find that the best way to make someone do something is not to complain, but to give them a solution. So, this is what I am going to do.
This is going to be my little project in honour of walking mothers in Aurora. I will keep you updated on my progress and fill you in with details as I get going.
Happy Mother’s Day.
COMMENTS
Barry Bridgeford said: May 8, 2011 at 07:07
“I used to work for the town’s Corporate Services. A few years ago, I was assigned to photograph a list of commercial properties with impediments to access. The Accessibility Advisory Committee was compiling a report of such problems throughout the town’s central core area and needed illustrations. The committee is “committed to facilitate and improve accessibility on behalf of all challenged persons in Aurora by promoting public awareness and sensitivity; encouraging co-operation among all services and interest groups, public and private to ensure a better community for all persons..”. Surely pedestrians with baby-strollers are amongs the “challenged”.
http://www.town.aurora.on.ca/aurora/index.aspx?ArticleID=1036&lang=en-CA
Presently the town website’s section for the Accessibility Advisory Committee has outdated contact info (2010), but I expect that by calling the “Info Aurora Desk” at the town hall, one could acquire contact info of the current committee’s chairperson/members. I hope that they will be able to take on the challenge of accessibility for “pedestrians with baby-strollers “.”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: May 9, 2011 at 23:02
“Barry thank you for the valuable information. This will definitely help me to decided where to direct my concern and the solution.”
Katherine said: May 10, 2011 at 13:42
“Good luck with your project Anna. The whole world keeps telling us to get more exercise, walk more and further, but when you try to make a concerted effort to get that exercise with a walk to the store and are met with big challenges, the will is often lost. Go Mamma! Be the voice of the walking people!”
Anna Lozyk Romeo said: May 10, 2011 at 15:17
“That is so true, Katherine. Yes, I am going to roll up my sleeves and do something good for once, lol. Thanks for the encouragement.”
