June 18, 2006
Grant's Pass, Oregon
"Rascals" is the name of a booming computer support group by and for seniors in this charming town along the Rogue River. As a river runs through it the town has at least the start of Venice's alternate transportation system - but you might find a gondola's performance not to your liking in the white water. Kayaking is the sport here.
In town on business I flagged down a fellow in a three wheeled scooter navigating the surprisingly congested downtown maze. After checking in with various social service and voluteer groups like RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), and those savvy Rascals, I followed a lead on a residential development incorporating Universal Design.
For the past several decades Grant's Pass has had a reputation as a desirable place to retire. As the sign welcoming you into town reads, "It's the climate." I would have to add, from my multple experiences of stopping folks on the street to get directions, because my Prius' on-board GIS protested ignorance of the area, that its the people too. But design for people seems to be a hallmark of the town as well.
Spring Meadows is popping next to Spring Villages retirement center. The units have all the earmarks of Visitability and Universal Design - human-scale construction including flush front, rear, and garage entrances, an open floorplan, and other design considerations. If this project represents a broader consensus on UD in town then one might find rant's Pass a good choic for something longer than a summer weekend stay.
Posted by rollingrains at June 18, 2006 02:58 PM