As I’ve aged, access to Crystal Lake has become more and more difficult.
A decision has been taken to designate one side of the area front as beach, and totally neglect the other. The “beach” side has benches and even a mat leading to one of the docks.
The non-beach side, the frontage beyond the dock, has only the wall — too high to reach for some — to place stuff, and no place to sit. This is the access point for young swimmers and for adult deep-water swimming. No new sand has been added to make walking to the water comfortable. And when leaving the water, for the elderly and less flexible it’s impossible to put on sandals before navigating around mounds of broken asphalt and making one’s way to the bench at the far side of the “beach.” If lifeguard stations can be erected along the wall, why can’t a simple bench or two be put up?
There’s no place to sit for breaks. Sure, the young and fit can make their way up to the park, but it’s hard for some of us … and the bench on the beach may well be filled up by the time we get there. The bench on this side used to be a haven for parents, often mothers with babies, and older people.
The fact that there are only two handicapped parking spaces in the Lake is another concern. I was willing to park further away when walking was no issue. As our population has aged, there is more demand for all the lot spaces.
The new Gath pool has nice seating and even shade tents. And more parking. But the Lake is special. A few inexpensive changes would be very helpful to seniors, the handicapped, and young families.
Deanna Mirsky
Newton Centre
