Walking down those steps now should be easier for people who may appreciate a handrail.
Albany’s newly reconstructed Monteith Riverpark has been outfitted with one additional feature: A handrail in the middle of the somewhat unusual, long series of steps down toward the stage.
City Manager Peter Troedsson told the city council about it in his weekly report on Friday:
“After some attendees at last summer’s River Rhythms series complained about the shallow grade stairs in the newly renovated park, building maintenance staff coordinated the installation of a handrail. That work is now complete. The railing cost $12,000, paid out of Parks and Recreation funds.”
Parks and Recreation publicized the railing on Facebook this week. On Friday I learned more about it and rode the bike to the park to take a look.
Rick Barnett, the facilities and park maintenance manager, told me the railing was installed by Sheet Metal Solutions, and the exact cost was $11,261.
“The design of those steps is legal in all respects but somewhat unusual,” Barnett said in an email. “During concerts people would be looking towards the concert stage or seating areas and not notice the steps and fall. We ended up putting cones down the center of the steps during concerts so people would recognize they were there.”
As a permanent solution, he added, the railing is designed to make it obvious there are steps and useful in case someone needs the railing.
“It was designed in sections so that it was easy to get across the steps and so that we didn’t create a very attractive skateboarding feature,” added.
When construction of the park was still under way, I had reported on those steps and wondered about why they were included in the design,and how they fit in with handicapped access.
The city explained at the time, and Barnett again pointed out that the grassy hill was too steep for a standard sidewalk without steps. And as for ADA access, there are smooth concrete walkways along the edges of the park, where the gentler slope makes it easier to walk or roll up or down. (hh)
The railing is in sections to discourage skateboarders, among other reasons.
That’ll be a snowboard rail next time it snows. The upgraded park and stage look great.