Efforts are underway to make Dawson City, Yukon, more accessible — but it's not easy

To many residents and visitors, the unpaved streets, crooked boardwalks and historic buildings of Dawson City, Yukon, are a big part of the Gold Rush town's charm — but for people with mobility issues, they can also be a lot of trouble.

That's why efforts are underway to make the town more accessible, without losing its unique character.   

Sally DeMerchant has lived in Dawson City for the past 12 years. She said she lives with fibromyalgia, a chronic condition that causes pain in the body's muscles and soft tissues, and that affects her mobility. 

DeMerchant said some of the toughest things to navigate in town are the raised boardwalks and steps leading to the town's businesses.

"Even if you sprain an ankle, you become very painfully aware that just being able to access your groceries, or attend a community event, becomes challenging," she said.

DeMerchant said that one of the support services she relies on has moved locations, so she now has to go up a flight of stairs to access the office. She said she can do it, but others may have challenges accessing the service.

Lana Welchman, a kinesiologist and a former therapy aide at the town's long term care home, said she regularly sees people who've suffered injuries from various activities. She said many of the elders she worked with often had an extremely hard time getting around town.

"I remember taking an elder to Indigenous Peoples' Day celebration," Welchman recalled. "I was trying to push him in a wheelchair up the gravel. It's almost impossible. So I had to get him out and try to get him to walk behind the wheelchair — but he couldn't navigate that footing.

"So I'm literally trying to get someone to participate in an important community event, and it's extremely difficult to get there."

Both Welchman and DeMerchant say things are even more difficult in winter. 

They're calling on the municipality to consult with community members about their needs, and to develop a collective vision for a more accessible community.

Some local organizations such as the Klondike Visitors Association (KVA) are also looking to address the issue, one small step at a time.

Last week, the KVA, in partnership with the municipality and a local contractor, built an accessible ramp at the town's farmer's market gazebo.

"We're looking for some easy, low-hanging fruit opportunities to make our spaces more accessible," said Ricky Mawunganidze, executive director for the KVA.