Description

The City of New Haven owns/operates East Rock Park as a public park for the general populace and maintains an access road leading to the summit of East Rock, a prominent geological feature providing recreational areas, hiking trails, an overlook toward several cities/Long Island Sound along with picnic areas, a parking area, and a 112-foot monument (completed 1887) at the top of the prominence. Starting at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic (April, 2020), the steep access road to the top was closed by order of the City of New Haven to vehicular traffic, leaving those persons with physical disabilities unable to enjoy the facilities (foot and bicycle traffic were still allowed), including my daughter, who has cerebral palsy and is unable to make the journey. We enjoyed traveling to the overlook area on many occasions through the years, and the complete lack of access imposed by the closing of the road has ruined what was once a pleasurable day trip for our family, already limited by my daughter's disabilities. The mayor and the parks and recreation department have been unresponsive for years, not bothering to pick up the phone; I am not alone in my frustrations in this respect. Apparently in response to complaints that eventually reached the ears of those in authority, the City of New Haven allowed the access road to be opened on Sundays only starting in September of 2022 and running until November 1, 2022, when the access road typically closed seasonally. As of May 9, 2023, according to the New Haven Parks department (https://seeclickfix.com/organization_notices/CAPjrSpgtptPyxmNfEENyUCM), the decision has apparently been rescinded, and the access road will now be fully closed to all vehicular traffic for the season (through November 15, 2023), thus continuing to prevent access to all those with disabilities, infirmities, or simply those unable to hike the steep hill to the top. This is an outrage given the long history of the park and the ending of the COVID pandemic used as an excuse to close the road in the first place. It limits access only to the most healthy and intrepid while denying access to those less fortunate, certainly many of whom formerly enjoyed this most special and valuable public space. I implore you to make issue with the City of New Haven for violating the ADA and who are apparently intent on completely limiting access to those with physical disabilities on a permanent basis.