Disabled Parking Only
Volunteers re-paint spaces to stem illegal parking
By BENJAMIN C. SHARP bensharp@journal-spectator.com

Staff Photo by Benjamin Sharp Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Wharton paint a handicapped parking spot in front of the Knights of Columbus Hall.

It's not always easy to see the signs. But it's hard to miss the big blue square with the wheelchair logo.

Officials with the Mayors Committee on People with Disabilities organized a painting project this past weekend to spruce up handicapped parking logos at area businesses. Committee representatives joined members of the Boys & Girls Club in refurbishing the markers Saturday morning.

"It's to raise awareness of handicapped parking spaces," said Lori Jaquez, the city's ADA coordinator. "I think that makes a big difference."

The painted logos are not mandatory by the state for designating a handicapped parking space, Jaquez said. All that's required is a sign, affixed to a pole or the side of a building.

But the committee wanted the logos to draw more attention to the spaces. There's been prior problems with illegal parking in handicapped-only spots.

"We feel a lot of people miss the signs, but if they see the blue spots, they won't miss it," Jaquez said. "Hopefully that will alleviate some of the problems."

Committee members identified the businesses where the logos were faded and then obtained permission from the owners to re-paint the markers. A total of 25 were re-painted on Saturday morning. About eight others still need to be done.

There was no cost to the businesses. The materials were provided through donations by the Lions Club, Rotary Club, Zarsky's, Wal-Mart, Larry's Mexican Restaurant and Rosemary Rust.

Volunteers from the Boys & Girls Club joined committee members in supplying the necessary muscle.

"They did a big part of it," Jaquez said, referring to the club members.

Similar events will be held in the future.

"We'll figure out which businesses really need this," Jaquez said.