Handicapped Parking Spaces May Be Added at Park

There is a very limited number of handicapped parking spaces at , and that has led to "some recent issues up there," Hellertown Police Chief Robert Shupp told Borough Council members Aug. 15.

Shupp said the three handicapped spaces that currently exist are especially in demand when youth sports take place in the park.

Many elderly people want to watch their grandchildren participate in games, but with the number of handicapped spaces currently available "it's hard to accommodate them," he explained.

Shupp said he would like to see six more handicapped parking spaces added at the park, for a total of nine.

There is room to add the spots, and if they are added emergency vehicles will still be able to access the park as before, he added.

Signs would also need to be installed, but Shupp said he thought "there's already money in the sign budget" to pay for them.

Council Vice President John Bate said that during games in Dimmick Park this summer, there were some issues related to the availability of parking.

"It came up with the Royals, with their fans, and it clashed a little bit with youth sports, with their officials," he said.

Bate said he supported the chief's recommendation.

However, councilwoman Gail Nolf said she wanted to wait until council's next meeting to vote on Shupp's proposal, and planned to visit the park to review the current parking situation in the meantime.

"I just want to get it done before football," Shupp said of adding the handicapped parking spaces.