Nationals Offer Parking for Disabled

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Nationals Offer Parking for Disabled

With Nearby Lots in High Demand, Details on Handicapped Spaces Are

Scarce

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-

dyn/content/article/2008/03/19/AR2008031903112.htm

By LeDuc

Washington Post Staff Writer

The Nationals yesterday announced parking plans for disabled fans

coming to the new ballpark set to open March 29 in Southeast

Washington, making room in an area already short on spots for those

driving to the games.

The Nationals had made arrangements for their season ticket holders

to get parking spaces in lots in the neighborhood near the ballpark.

Those plan-holders who need them can request accessible spaces in

those lots, officials said, or ask to park in the lot closest to the

ballpark if there is room.

And single-game ticket buyers -- who have few parking opportunities

in the neighborhood -- will also have a chance to buy accessible

spots in the closest lot, paying the highest parking fee the team is

charging, $35.

A number of fans with disabilities have expressed concern in recent

weeks about getting close enough to the ballpark to avoid a major

struggle.

The team offered assurances but didn't have all the specifics. In a

statement, Nationals President Stan Kasten said the number of spaces

set aside for the disabled will exceed the number required by law.

Team executives added that parking lot workers will try to make sure

they have as many spots as needed. But officials were unable to say

exactly what is required. They also were unable to say how many

spaces they have reserved in the closest lot, at First and N streets

SE, or other locations.

Free parking for disabled fans also will be available at F.

Kennedy Memorial Stadium, with a courtesy shuttle that delivers fans

to a drop-off point five blocks from the new ballpark.

Some fans have been following the issue closely, getting more anxious

as the Nationals' opening weekend approaches. The team has an

exhibition game March 29 against the Baltimore Orioles, then opens

the regular season the next night with a contest against the Atlanta

Braves.

of Leesburg said she has had season tickets since the

Nationals came to Washington and had accessible parking when the team

played at RFK. She said she requested it for the new ballpark and

received her parking packet this week -- with no indication that an

accessible spot had been reserved for her.

She has paid $25 for parking each game in a lot north of M Street,

more than two blocks from the ballpark. Coming from Leesburg, she

said, " I needed to know that there is at least a guaranteed spot for

me somewhere. "

Similarly, Deborah Coppa, who plans to take her elderly mother to a

game this summer, said she was worried about getting close enough.

" My mom is in good shape, but she's 84, " said Coppa, who lives in

Boston and visits her mother in andria. " I admit Fenway has lousy

handicapped parking. But it was built a hundred years ago, not last

year. "

She said she called the Nationals offices and was told she could drop

her mother off at the ballpark and then find parking. Coppa said she

responded, " If you had an 84-year-old grandmother, would you drop her

off . . . and leave her to fend for herself? "

In yesterday's announcement, the team said passengers could be

dropped off on First Street SE and South Capitol, adjacent to the

ballpark and near elevator entrances. After games, passengers can be

picked up along South Capitol.

Team executives said season ticket holders should contact their

offices with any questions about the issue. Single-game ticket buyers

can purchase $35 passes to accessible spots online beginning March

26. They will need to have the pass and a state- or District-issued

handicapped placard or license plate when they come to the game.

The team's Web site is http://www.nationals.com/waytogo. The phone

number is 202-675-6287.