Handicap docking spaces for boats

[White Rook]

Originally Posted by White Rook

From May 30 reply:

With caution and planning, I can manage to get in and out of the boat and then rest a minute on the dock before walking away. I can walk short distances before having to stop and rest. At Wolfeboro for example, the shortest walk from the docking space to the parking lot would be very beneficial to me.

I should have added:

"Assuming of course that the H docking space is closer or the closest to the parking lot.

[MJM]

Originally Posted by White Rook

I should have added:

"Assuming of course that the H docking space is closer or the closest to the parking lot.

Exactly - and it is not. It is the dock that's the furthest to the right as you're looking at the dock from the water. In terms of the parking lot, it is the furthest dock away.

[Rattlesnake Guy]

This weekend I took the family to the town dock and made what I think was the best decision I could. The docks were about 80 percent full during our early morning visit. The H dock was sitting there with 8 open spots looking very lonely and odly far from town. I decided to make a calculated compromise. My family and I would take the spot on the H dock that is farthest from town. This would give the closer spaces on the other fingers to someone in need of a shorter walk. I will admit I was uneasy walking by two elderly couples sitting on the grass at the gazebo. I had my questionable logic and reasoning ready to explain to anyone who would question us. No one did.

I am also confused on the actual advantage of the H dock. The confusing sinage coupled with the location make it a no win situation.

I am not sure if I will continue to park in these unused spots but I hope if you see an able bodied person spring from their boat and walk easily to town from these distant sapces you will know that at least some of them may have given it some consierable thought.

Perhaps a few spots with actual technical advantage for those needing an easier docking experience will replace this first pass at trying to do something helpful.

[MJM]

Can someone provide an email address where an inquiry can be sent regarding this? Town Manager? Harbor Master? I'm not even sure who to contact!

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Originally Posted by MJM

Can someone provide an email address where an inquiry can be sent regarding this? Town Manager? Harbor Master? I'm not even sure who to contact!

Contact
David W. Owen, Town Manager
wolftmsec@metrocast.net
via Anne Marble, Secretary

Wolfeboro Town Office
84 South Main Street
Wolfeboro, NH 03894

Telephone
(603) 569-8161

Fax
(603) 569-8167

Office Hours
8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Monday - Friday

In case you miss my previous post:

Originally Posted by Rattlesnake Gal

Glad to hear we weren’t the only ones confused by the sign.

I just spoke with Dave Owen, the Town Manager of Wolfeboro and got some clarification and gave him some feedback. From what I understand, the town was trying to do the right thing by supplying handicap boaters with dock access; there are several islanders, which are handicapped that use the Wolfeboro town docks. The State Disability Commission chose which dock should be designated to have the handicap access sign. I explained that the sign was very confusing and he understands it should be made to be clearer.

Basically at this point anyone can dock anywhere. He did say that we should leave a space for a truly handicap person. I brought up the idea that designating some spots closer to land or the parking lot for someone with a disability might be better than the dock they chose, making it very clear which spots those are. At this point, if you are handicap, this sign really doesn’t help you. You will have to wait just like the rest of us for a spot that would be best for you. There are no “official” handicap permits. So far anyway and there will be no tickets given out to violators at this time.

[beaner]

I've gotta agree with Cal on this one. It seems to me that the new handicap docking spaces will only make a bad situation at the town docks worse. Who is responsible for enforcing the new Handicapped docking spaces... Marine patrol? Town of Wolfeboro parking fairies? Do they ever bother enforcing the existing time limits for docking?

[Islander]

Next time I'm there I am parking in these spaces.