The East Bay Regional Park District recently opened a new playground which can be used by all children, including those with disabilities who cannot reach or use traditional playground equipment. The barrier-free playground at Roberts Regional Recreation Area, on Skyline Blvd in Oakland, was a joint project between the Oakland Rotary Club and the park district, with additional financial support from foundation grants. Children will find specially adapted equipment such as swings, support equipment and ramps for wheelchairs, and entertaining interactive playwalls. It adjoins an existing swimming facility which is also fully accessible to those with disabilities. It is the third such playground in the country; a fourth is in the planning stages in Concord.
For more information: http://www.ebparks.org/new.htm#roberts
The City of Seattle's Way to Go, Seattle program has done a series of demonstration studies in which a variety of households were asked to use one less car for six or nine weeks. Participants were also asked to keep a daily record of how they traveled during that time. Most participants were able to use trip planning, car pooling, and alternative forms of transportation to make the trips they would otherwise have made in their extra car. The 86 households which took part saved an average of $70 per week apiece in transportation costs, and many sold a "surplus" car or switched to a more fuel-efficient vehicle after participating in the study.
For more information: http://www.ci.seattle.wa.us/waytogo/demostudyolcc.htm
A letter-writer to the Oakland Tribune suggested that the city raise money for its budget by making all on-street parking paid parking, with permits in areas which have no meters. "Parking lot and mini-storage businesses would prosper," wrote Liz Taylor, while driveways and garages could save owners money if used as originally intended. An added bonus could be improved access for emergency vehicles on narrow streets. So far, the City of Oakland has not implemented her suggestion.