Lakewood city council commemorates ADA and sidewalk progress

BY JO DAVIS JDAVIS@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

A recent Lakewood City Council meeting included a proclamation to commemorate the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act and an update on a much-anticipated sidewalk project along 20th Avenue.

Mayor Adam Paul read a proclamation at the July 24 meeting to make July 26, 2023 the National Disability Independence Day in Lakewood. e city has made a few strides over the years to make its services more accessible, and the proclamation is the culmination of that.

According to the proclamation, this includes partnering with other organizations to o er services for the people of Lakewood despite their abilities.

“Lakewood proudly o ers inclusive programs and partnerships that empower individuals with disabilities to engage in a wide range of activities and experiences,” the proclamation said.

ose activities include Camp Paha, a summer camp for the community that is available to kids of all abilities. Lakewood also o ers Special Olympics programs and an immersive dance program called “Feel the Beat” geared toward the hearing impaired.

Mayor Paul also used the proclamation to announce the launch of the “Access Lakewood” initiative.

“Lakewood proudly o ers inclu- sive programs and partnerships that empower individuals with disabilities to engage in a wide range of activities and experiences,” Paul said. e initiative also includes opportunities for the city sta to continuously improve upon the accessibility o erings.

For more information on the Access Lakewood program, visit the city of Lakewood website.

Council also heard an update on a much-anticipated sidewalk project along the stretch of 20th Ave west of Nelson Street that would connect to Quail Street Park. e sidewalk will be ve feet wide. It will also complete a section of missing sidewalk, allowing residents to walk from Simms Street to Kipling Street. e council approved funding to buy the land along 20th Avenue necessary to move the project forward. e city has been updating various areas to become more accessible to pedestrians. Previous projects have included new and accessible sidewalks. e 20th Avenue sidewalk will be paid from funds already allocated to the city from TABOR and the Stormwater Management Utility Funds.

For more information on the 20th Avenue sidewalk project, check out Ordinance O-2023-29 on LakewoodSpeaks.org.

For the full Lakewood City Council meeting, check out LakewoodSpeaks.org or Lakewood Colorado on YouTube.