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November 28, 2018

DASH (Disability Awareness Starts Here) has been working for over a decade to convince the U.S. Postal Service to make changes to the Port Townsend Post Office that would allow all citizens accessibility. USPS substations were established in Port Townsend to allow access but subsequently closed. The closest post office to Port Townsend is 10 miles away. All other public buildings in Port Townsend are accessible, including the historic Jefferson County Courthouse.

The public can only enter the Port Townsend Post Office after climbing 13 steep steps, which makes it inaccessible for individuals with disabilities. Also, parents with babies in strollers and older individuals are among those who find it dangerous to climb the steps, especially with packages. The lack of accessibility also prevents disabled veterans or others with mobility challenges to work for the Port Townsend Post Office.

DASH has proposed a convenient, low-cost ramp, which USPS has refused to consider. The Port Townsend Post Office was built in 1893. Therefore, the USPS states that it has no legal obligation to make the building accessible for all since the Architectural Barriers Act only requires access to buildings built or altered since the law was passed in 1968.

DASH is working with our federal elected representatives and other communities whose post offices are not accessible. We encourage you to ask your elected representatives to amend the Architecture Barriers Act to require accessibility to all facilities built with Federal funds.

Pat Teal, President, DASH

Photo Courtesy of Mike McKee www.myporttownsend.com

“August 2017:  City Parks recently added gravel to portions of the trail rendering them less firm and stable.  DASH is monitoring the situation.”

Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park is a year-round, accessible city park that is popular with birdwatchers, dog walkers and people of all ages. The level, firm, well-packed earth loop trail starts at the accessible parking slot area for a 20 minutes easy walk along a level trail. Enjoy a relaxing walk or wheelchair roll along to the northeast shore of the Kah Tai Lagoon. The park has many varieties of waterfowl, including Ruddy Ducks and Blue Herons.  Stroll or Roll into Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park to enjoy listening to the birds and seeing seasonal wildflowers.

The park location is ideal due to the close proximity to the local community, with shops, recreation, businesses, services etc.

Parking

Park at PT Transit Center or at Kah Tai. Many designated parking spaces in Transit Center and one accessible parking space at Kah Tai’s gravel parking lot (>10 feet wide). Alternatively, park on 12th Street curbside parking behind Henery’s Hardware Store. There is wheelchair access from the Transit Center, sidewalks and parking lot. No ramps needed in this scenic, flat walking trail loop.

Transit

Jefferson County Transit and Dial-A-Ride have bus stops at the Port Townsend – Haines St Park & Ride immediately adjacent to the Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park. Disembark at the Port Townsend – Haines St Park & Ride, walking 50 feet to 12th Street and gain access to the park on a packed earth trail immediately next to Park & Ride.

How to get there

The park is close to Safeway, adjacent to the Haines Street Park and Ride and directly behind Henery’s Hardware Store on 12th Street. There are entrances off 12th Street, Landes Street and Kearney Street.

Trail

The trail surface is maintained packed earth that is level, firm and stable. Small scattering of pea-sized gravel that should not cause any difficulty with wheelchair accessibility. Most of the trail is more than 6 feet wide. In winter after heavy rain there may be some standing water and small puddles. It is generally dry in summer.

The trail is accessible and level. The loop trail is less than a mile, about a 20 or 30 minute stroll.

There are clear lines of sight along the path; vegetation does not block the trail.  Walkers feel safe during daylight hours with plenty of public use on this popular trail.

Restrooms

Accessible toilets are only available at adjacent locations (Safeway Grocery Store and Park & Ride Transit Center). At the park, there is a standard portable toilet close to parking.  

Facilities

Benches and picnic tables are available.  A small bridge links the smaller to the main lagoon.  A seating area close by is a good spot for bird watching.

Lighting

There are lights at public rest room building only.

OPEN: Daylight hours, 8:00 AM to Dusk

Kah Tai Lagoon Nature Park, 12th Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368 (near PT Transit, Safeway, behind Henery’s Hardware Store).

http://kahtai.blogspot.com/

Photo Courtesy of Travis Rowland

Fort Worden, ADA Trail, at Fort Worden Historical State Park, Port Townsend is 100% accessible, meeting all Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements.

Well maintained, 6.5 to 7.5 feet wide asphalt walkway has a slight incline for a pleasant 30 minute loop trail along the beach from Marine Science Center towards the Lighthouse and looping round to beautiful views of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, plentiful birds, and seasonal flowers, including wild rose and lupine.  No Washington State DISCOVER PASS needed for visitors with WA Disability Vehicle Plates or blue disability hanger.

Parking
Several asphalt and gravel parking lots without time limitations for visitor parking. There are parking spaces (>10 feet wide) for people with disabilities, wheelchair access and ramps. The parking slot at the canteen is 11’6″ wide without delineated access lane adjacent to long wooden planter. The planter should be moved to allow easy disembarking from disabled transit vehicle.
Additional ramp needed at crosswalk to ADA trail across from Marine Science canteen.

How to get there
Fort Worden State Park is located in Port Townsend, along Admiralty Inlet in Washington State. The Fort Worden ADA Trail begins at the Marine Science Center, near cross streets of Eisenhower Street and Harbor Defense Way (a park extension of Port Townsend’s Cherry Street). Fort Worden is a naturalist gem situated on 433 acres originally built as a United States Army installation for the protection of Puget Sound.

Transit

Jefferson County Transit (Route 2, Fort Worden) has a bus stop across the street from the Friends of Fort Worden, Old Guardhouse Visitor Center & Gift Shop (200 Battery Way, Port Townsend, WA 98368, Phone: 360.344.4459). To access the Fort Worden Park and Recreation Area, travel East one block on Eisenhower, turn left on Harbor Defense Way with smooth, well-maintained cement sidewalk that is moderately steep incline for approximately 1 block (approximately 100 feet)

ADA Trail
The trail is fully accessible with manual or motorized wheelchair, stroller, walker or canes. Practically ideal for people with any level of physical limitation and delightful Green Space site that is a favorite “Stroll and Roll” and hiking site!
The trail starts at the Marine Science Center.  Trail surface is well-maintained asphalt that is level, firm and stable. Fort Worden ADA Trail is clearly delineated with bright, white road line along park road with very light traffic. There is one puddle area with accumulation of rainwater along one part of trail (~50 feet) adjacent to a gravel parking area. However, that area can be easily avoided on the wide asphalt trail. Fort Worden staff plan to increase drainage in this section of the ADA trail. Further on, the trail has a curb on the right side. Elevation change is less than 20 feet over 1/4 mile.

Restrooms
Accessible rest rooms available, year round. Rest Rooms meet all ADA requirements. During winter season, 50% of rest rooms are locked due to periodic wind storms. However, accessible toilets are available, even when shower areas are closed.

Facilities
Benches, rest areas, picnic tables, and accessible picnic tables are available at the Public Covered Kitchen/BBQ Building (which can be reserved through Fort Worden State Park).

Lighting
Lighting is available in and around the Rest Room/Shower buildings. However, the park closes at dusk so there are no evening activities, except in camping and recreational vehicle (RV) areas.

OPEN: 8:00 AM to Dusk
Fort Worden,
200 Battery Way,
Port Townsend, WA 98368,
Phone: (360) 344-4400

http://parks.state.wa.us