Getting outdoors and appreciating nature is one of the many benefits of living in Eugene. I love walking to the stores and parks. I recently retired and decided to move here so that I could enjoy Eugene’s natural beauty.
As I was walking and exploring the area, I noticed how many sidewalks are in disrepair and include tripping hazards. Other places are inaccessible because of overhanging branches, parked cars, thorny bushes and overgrown hedges. I have seen wheelchair users traveling on the street because the sidewalks are inaccessible. This is a concern for people with mobility disabilities, people who are blind, and elderly people. Accessing our communities is an important human right, and creating accessible and inclusive spaces is a social responsibility.
For the past few years, many cities in America have celebrated Make Way Day on Sept. 30. This day began in Ireland to raise awareness about the needs of people with disabilities in public spaces. Communities come together to make the sidewalks in front of their homes accessible by trimming overhanging branches and vegetation and by repairing cracks and tripping hazards.
I propose that we start celebrating Make Way Day in Eugene. It could be an impactful, community-building and decisive day of action to improve access for everyone. The city of Eugene is a beautiful place to live and thrive. Let’s start our own Make Way Day on Sept.30 and make Eugene accessible for everyone.
Joan M. Medina
Eugene
A Note From the Publisher
Dear Readers,
The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.
That’s because of you!
Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.
Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.
We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.
And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.
None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.
As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.
Thank you for standing with us!
Publisher
Eugene Weekly
P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519
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