Advisory Committee on Accessibility — Burlington, VT
Date: 2025-09-11
Time: 10:00

Advisory Committee on Accessibility



 Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00 AM, 645 Pine Street

PLEASE NOTE:
This meeting will be held on Zoom and in-person in the front conference room at 645 Pine Street. Zoom
Info:

https://zoom.us/j/96229845929

Meeting ID: 962 2984 5929



1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Public Forum

3. Review playground equipment options for Pomeroy Playground

4. Adjournment
 Subject 4.1. Motion to adjourn
 Meeting September 11, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Playground
 Subcommittee - Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00 AM, 645 Pine Street


 Category 4. Adjournment

 Department Council and Board


 Type

 Recommended Action

5. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
 Subject 5.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. The City of Burlington
 will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual
 orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive
 status, crime victim status or genetic information.
Meeting September 11, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Playground
 Subcommittee - Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00 AM, 645 Pine Street
Category 5. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board


Type

Advisory Committee on Accessibility



 Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00 AM, 645 Pine Street

PLEASE NOTE:
This meeting will be held on Zoom and in-person in the front conference room at 645 Pine Street. Zoom
Info:

https://zoom.us/j/96229845929

Meeting ID: 962 2984 5929



1. Adopt the Agenda

2. Public Forum

3. Review playground equipment options for Pomeroy Playground

4. Adjournment
 Subject 4.1. Motion to adjourn
 Meeting September 11, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Playground
 Subcommittee - Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00 AM, 645 Pine Street


 Category 4. Adjournment

 Department Council and Board


 Type

 Recommended Action

5. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
 Subject 5.1. This agenda is available in alternative formats upon request. The City of Burlington
 will not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of political or
 religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sex, sexual
 orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive
 status, crime victim status or genetic information.




 Page 1 of 2
Meeting September 11, 2025 - Burlington Advisory Committee On Accessibility - Playground
 Subcommittee - Thursday, September 11, 2025, 12:00 AM, 645 Pine Street
Category 5. Informational and Non-Discrimination Statements
Department Council and Board


Type




 Page 2 of 2

2025-09-11

BACA Subcommittee Meeting
645 Pine Street Front Conference Room and Zoom

In Attendance:

Nate Besio
Karen Downey
John Thomas
Shelby Glass
Scottie Taylor
Sophie Sauvé
Max Madalinski


The main focus was on reviewing playground design proposals, including various equipment
options and accessibility features, with the team evaluating different structures, safety
considerations, and budget constraints. The group concluded by discussing potential musical
elements and communication features for the playground, while agreeing to review updated
designs at the next meeting and await budget confirmation for additional projects.

Next steps
• BPRW team: Continue working with the selected vendor to refine the Pomeroy Park
 playground design, focusing on universal design principles
• BPRW team: Address the connection issue with proper surfacing to eliminate the 4-6 inch
 drop into the playground
• BPRW team: Explore alternative equipment options that are more inclusive than the post and
 platform structures
• BPRW team: Consider incorporating wheelchair tracks or path indicators in the playground
 design
• BPRW team: Handle seating separately according to their standards rather than including it
 in the vendor's proposal
• BPRW team: Follow up with vendor about transfer options for the garden seesaw to
 accommodate users with mobility devices
• BPRW team: Check specifications for the carousel's lower assembly design to ensure proper
 drainage and maintenance
• BPRW team: Remove the thick shrub fence at Pomeroy Park to improve visibility and safety
• BPRW team: Explore panel options for the Mini dome structure that could be either
 freestanding or integrated

Summary
Pomeroy Park Upgrades and Events
The group discussed the positive impact of recent upgrades at Pomeroy Park, including the
resurfacing of a basketball court, which has attracted attention from local residents.
Pomeroy Park Playground Design Review
The team discussed the Pomeroy Park playground proposal, focusing on a vendor who showed
the most willingness to work with universal design and poured-in-place surfacing requirements.
They reviewed the vendor's initial layout, which included a path route for children, individual
play areas, and various equipment options like a garden seesaw and carousel, though the team
expressed concerns about traditional post-and-platform structures. The team noted that while the
design wasn't perfect, the vendor was open to discussing modifications, and seating elements
would need to be removed due to budget constraints.

Inclusive Playground Design Discussion
The group discussed a playground design, focusing on accessibility features and safety
considerations. They expressed concerns about the lack of ramps for children in mobility devices
and suggested adding features at the top of ramps for inclusive play. They agreed that while the
design had some limitations, it was overall a good start and would provide a safe and enjoyable
space for children. The team noted that while the swings, carousel, and spring rider were
inclusive, the post and platform equipment were not. The designers explained that budget
constraints limited their options for additional accessible features. The team discussed potential
ways to reallocate funds, including reducing the playground size to accommodate more at-grade
play features. They also considered adding wheelchair tracks to the path to enhance inclusiveness
(a mural).

Garden Seesaw Review
The group discussed the potential to add a seat to the garden seesaw for children with limited
mobility, focusing on accessibility and transfer options. They identified potential issues with
getting users into and out of the seat, particularly for those who use wheelchairs, and suggested
modifications like a cutaway side or adjustable bar. The team also examined maintenance
concerns for the carousel, noting that while there had been some hardware issues with the
Oakledge installation, the issues were not mechanical or technical and the one proposed seemed
less complicated.

Playground Safety and Accessibility Review
The group discussed a potential playground structure featuring nets and a slide, focusing on
safety concerns and accessibility for children aged 2-5. They noted that while the structure
offered good visibility and accessibility, it was expensive compared to other options and had
some safety concerns, particularly regarding visibility of children in the nets. The group also
discussed the importance of incorporating educational elements about risky play and child
development into the playground design.

The group discussed various playground structures, focusing on a dome-shaped play area with
slides and climbing features. They examined different versions of the dome, including a smaller
footprint option without a slide and a larger, more climbing-oriented version for children aged 5
to 12. The participants debated the merits of including slides on the dome structure. They also
briefly discussed a pendulum ride and a climbing wall, which was supported as a challenging
structure for older children.

Interactive Musical Communication Project
The group discussed the potential inclusion of unique musical elements and communication
boards in a project. They explored ideas such as interpretive panels, drum sets, and other
interactive features to cater to non-verbal individuals. They considered the practicality of these
additions, including the need for individualized communication devices and the possibility of a
"bring your own" approach for certain items.