This past winter, Age Friendly South Portland solicited feedback from South Portland residents as part of our new Golden Shovel program on how well Ocean Street businesses (between the rotary and the Thomas Knight Park) cleared, sanded and ensured safe access to the walkways around their shops during inclement weather conditions.
Verbena won the inaugural Golden Shovel Award, presented by Age Friendly South Portland. Courtesy photo
We asked residents three questions:
(1.) Which businesses’ sidewalks were clear and easy to navigate;
(2.) Which businesses’ entryways were handicap accessible;
(3.) Which businesses’ staff were conscientious of shoveling and sanding throughout the day.
What we learned is that Ocean Street businesses don’t mess around with sidewalk care during the winter season. From the responses, businesses are “quick to upkeep their storefronts,” “amazing at assisting older adults in and out of their stores,” and “always sweeping or sanding to keep surfaces less slippery.”
These positive responses made our job of selecting a single Golden Shovel winner incredibly challenging. But after compiling and carefully considering all received feedback, we chose Verbena (103 Ocean St.) as this year’s Golden Shovel recipient – a business that truly went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that individuals of all ages and/or with mobility issues could access their store with ease.
Age Friendly South Portland recently handed out the first Golden Shovel Award. Courtesy photo
Age Friendly South Portland thanks Verbena and all of the Ocean Street businesses that participated in this year’s Golden Shovel program.
Next winter, we’ll find out whether Verbena can retain the glory of the Golden Shovel, or if another Ocean Street business can claim it as their own.
Chad MacLeod is co-chair of Age Friendly South Portland.
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