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firecatCompared to the access issues of a lot of people this isn't a big deal, but it's what's going on for me.
I'm 49 years old and mobility impaired—I often have sore joints and muscles that limit the distance I can walk and the kinds of movement I can do.
I love swimming because it's the only exercise that doesn't hurt. I like cool water for swimming. I love swimming outdoors in all (San Francisco Bay Area) weather. So for years I have been swimming laps at Rinconada Pool in Palo Alto. (I don't live there; they allow non-residents to swim for a slightly higher fee.) The lap lanes at Rinconada are not crowded at the times I like to swim. People of all ages swim laps at Rinconada.
But today I am looking for a new place to swim.
Why? Because the only way to get in and out of Rinconada Pool is via metal ladders set into the side of the pool.
I've been having difficulty using the metal ladders for several years, but I've always managed to haul myself out on the first try, until last Friday. Last Friday, I failed twice to climb out using the ladder. I think it was a combination of things. One of my knees was bugging me so I was trying not to put too much strain on it. Also, it's recreation swim season, and the pool is seeing heavier use, and the ladder was slippery, probably from sunscreen grease. I couldn't get a secure grip with my hands.
The first time I fell, some children nearby asked if I was OK and I said yes. But other than that, no one offered to help me and no one seemed to notice me, even though I was standing with my hands on the ladder for several minutes. I finally managed to climb out.
Palo Alto makes another pool available during the summer months. The web page doesn't tell me whether it's indoor or outdoor, or what methods of access it has.
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/news/details.asp?NewsID=1133&TargetID=267
I looked up other local public pools. There are two in San Mateo, one of which is accessible, according to the web site. The same web site says that one of the pools is open year round, but the San Mateo Activity Guide for Fall 2011 states that after this summer both pools will be closed until June 2012.
http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=627
There is a third option in San Mateo - Highland Recreation District pool. It costs quite a lot—$100 registration fee plus $30 per month. They have an extensive web site but I had to phone to find out whether the pool was accessible. I was told they have a set of stairs that they can put into the pool if you need them.
http://www.highlandsrec.com/
There's a pool in Burlingame, the Burlingame Aquatic Center, that the web site claims is accessible and open year round. Burlingame is a pretty long drive for me. The lap swim hours are limited in the summer.
hhttp://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=780
There are two facilities in Menlo Park. Belle Haven is stated on the web site to be accessible. It's open only in the summer. Burgess is open year round. There's no info on the web site about the accessibility of the Burgess pools. I phoned the main number of the company that runs these pools. The person who answered the phone didn't know whether the pool was accessible. He transferred me to Burgess Pool's number. I got an answering machine. I found Burgess Park on Google Maps and zoomed in far enough to determine that there are two pools and one of them appears to have stairs; the other one either doesn't have them or they aren't visible in the photo. The one that has stairs is the smaller pool that's heated to 87 degrees. The larger pool is heated to 80 degrees.
http://www.menloswim.com/
Because I have enough money, I also have the option of joining a private gym that has a pool. I used to belong to the YMCA, and I know they have a pool at their Redwood City facility with access via stairs. I'm not thrilled about joining an organization with a Christian focus, but when I belonged before, they didn't proselytize. The fees are $100 to register plus $65 per month, which includes babysitting services. They do offer financial assistance, apparently.
http://www.ymcasv.org/sequoia/
I'm 49 years old and mobility impaired—I often have sore joints and muscles that limit the distance I can walk and the kinds of movement I can do.
I love swimming because it's the only exercise that doesn't hurt. I like cool water for swimming. I love swimming outdoors in all (San Francisco Bay Area) weather. So for years I have been swimming laps at Rinconada Pool in Palo Alto. (I don't live there; they allow non-residents to swim for a slightly higher fee.) The lap lanes at Rinconada are not crowded at the times I like to swim. People of all ages swim laps at Rinconada.
But today I am looking for a new place to swim.
Why? Because the only way to get in and out of Rinconada Pool is via metal ladders set into the side of the pool.
I've been having difficulty using the metal ladders for several years, but I've always managed to haul myself out on the first try, until last Friday. Last Friday, I failed twice to climb out using the ladder. I think it was a combination of things. One of my knees was bugging me so I was trying not to put too much strain on it. Also, it's recreation swim season, and the pool is seeing heavier use, and the ladder was slippery, probably from sunscreen grease. I couldn't get a secure grip with my hands.
The first time I fell, some children nearby asked if I was OK and I said yes. But other than that, no one offered to help me and no one seemed to notice me, even though I was standing with my hands on the ladder for several minutes. I finally managed to climb out.
Palo Alto makes another pool available during the summer months. The web page doesn't tell me whether it's indoor or outdoor, or what methods of access it has.
http://www.cityofpaloalto.org/depts/csd/news/details.asp?NewsID=1133&TargetID=267
I looked up other local public pools. There are two in San Mateo, one of which is accessible, according to the web site. The same web site says that one of the pools is open year round, but the San Mateo Activity Guide for Fall 2011 states that after this summer both pools will be closed until June 2012.
http://www.cityofsanmateo.org/index.aspx?NID=627
There is a third option in San Mateo - Highland Recreation District pool. It costs quite a lot—$100 registration fee plus $30 per month. They have an extensive web site but I had to phone to find out whether the pool was accessible. I was told they have a set of stairs that they can put into the pool if you need them.
http://www.highlandsrec.com/
There's a pool in Burlingame, the Burlingame Aquatic Center, that the web site claims is accessible and open year round. Burlingame is a pretty long drive for me. The lap swim hours are limited in the summer.
hhttp://www.burlingame.org/Index.aspx?page=780
There are two facilities in Menlo Park. Belle Haven is stated on the web site to be accessible. It's open only in the summer. Burgess is open year round. There's no info on the web site about the accessibility of the Burgess pools. I phoned the main number of the company that runs these pools. The person who answered the phone didn't know whether the pool was accessible. He transferred me to Burgess Pool's number. I got an answering machine. I found Burgess Park on Google Maps and zoomed in far enough to determine that there are two pools and one of them appears to have stairs; the other one either doesn't have them or they aren't visible in the photo. The one that has stairs is the smaller pool that's heated to 87 degrees. The larger pool is heated to 80 degrees.
http://www.menloswim.com/
Because I have enough money, I also have the option of joining a private gym that has a pool. I used to belong to the YMCA, and I know they have a pool at their Redwood City facility with access via stairs. I'm not thrilled about joining an organization with a Christian focus, but when I belonged before, they didn't proselytize. The fees are $100 to register plus $65 per month, which includes babysitting services. They do offer financial assistance, apparently.
http://www.ymcasv.org/sequoia/
no subject
Date: 27 Jul 2011 03:32 am (UTC)I'll definitely make the suggestion about the grip surface on the ladder, thanks!
no subject
Date: 27 Jul 2011 10:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 27 Jul 2011 07:19 pm (UTC)