Wayfinding and New Accessibility Enhance River Walk Experience

Wall-mounted signs serve as quick references.

Signs come in varied shapes and sizes but are consistent in design.

Maps provide more detail for those wandering the river’s banks.

Signs clearly identify cross-streets.

New signage guides those on the River Walk to accessible routes.

Gentle ramping smoothly blends into existing riverside pathways.

This photo from the City of San Antonio’s website shows an entrance to one of the ramps.

Handsome metalwork now bridges the gaps by a fountain by Omni La Mansion del Rio.

One of the trickiest spots to provide accessibility must have been the narrow right of way by La Mansion del Rio.

Many pedestrians elect the new sloping ramps over taking stairs.

The signage also helps those wandering Paseo del Rio locate accessible routes, which, finally, most of the downtown River Walk is.  For years, many preservationists balked at altering Robert H.H. Hugman’s original designs to make accessible pathways, and the city shied away from the expense.  I must confess I, too, was skeptical architects could incorporate the necessary changes without damaging the aesthetic appeal. 

But Judy Babbitt, the city’s Access Compliance Manager, never quit in spite of strong opposition.  Judy always has been reminded on a daily basis where virtually every violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act is located downtown because she wheels it continually.  She literally has devoted decades to the campaign to eradicate unnecessary obstacles. 

According to the Public Works Department website, which includes accessibility maps: 

Since the early 1980’s, the City of San Antonio has been active in eliminating architectural barriers and in creating wheelchair accessibility to and along the River Walk. The City has improved more than 50 locations during these two decades, generating new ramps, pathways and, with the help of private businesses, new elevators.

As a frequent critic of the city’s tendency to “value-engineer” the character out of projects, I am totally bowled over by the sensitivity and quality of materials used in the new system of ramps.  They are handsome additions to the River Walk.  Sensitive areas, such as the stepping-stones by the fountain by Omni La Mansion del Rio, were not ruined.  The craftsmanship of the inserts eliminating the dangerous openings is exquisite. 

Like many pedestrians presented with the choice, I find myself often opting for the ramps over steps.  It feels good to stretch out one’s calves on the slight incline and reminds me what strength would be required to propel oneself up them using only arm-power.  Judy should have just challenged all the nay-sayers years ago to arm-wrestle her for the right to make Paseo del Rio accessible.  The paths would have been completed more than a decade earlier.   

Note Added on September 18, 2010:  More improvements ahead….

Update on January 27, 2012: The City’s efforts to make the downtown River Walk more accessible are receiving recognition:

The Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities, in partnership with the Accessibility Professionals Association (APA), has announced the winners of the 2011 Accessibility Awards, which recognize businesses and organizations that go above and beyond the legal requirements to provide both physical and service accessibility to people with disabilities.

City of San Antonio Historic River Walk Downtown (San Antonio)
Owner: City of San Antonio
Design Professional: Beaty Palmer Architects, Inc – Michael Beaty AIA, Principal