Disability Pride Parade Changes Route, Stoking Concerns

CHELSEA, NY — The Disability Pride Parade's route has flipped to avoid clashing with the Cuban Day Parade on Sunday, reverting to a route that hospitalized three parade goers because of heat exhaustion in 2015, according to the NYPD and the parade's founder.

Instead of processing along Broadway from Union Square to Madison Square Park, this year's parade route has reversed because crowds from the pride march and the neighboring Cuban Day Parade, which strolls from E. 38th to E. 26th streets on Madison Avenue, would have clogged Madison Square Park, said an NYPD official.

"We can't have two parades end right next to one another," said Lieutenant John Grimpel. "The Cuban parade filed for permits earlier so the pride parade's route had to change."

But the route is the same as the four-year-old parade's inaugural 2015 path, during which three parade-goers were rushed to the hospital because of heat exhaustion due to a lack of shade at Union Square's northern plaza. Some disability advocates fear that those with limited mobility or medical conditions exacerbated by heat, such as multiple sclerosis, could be at risk during the parade, which gathered more than 10,000 people last year.

To alleviate those concerns the NYPD mandated the Disability Pride Parade's organizers erect two sprawling 40-by-60 foot tents — at a cost of $20,000 — to shield those enjoying the festivities at the parade's Union Square end, explained the parade's founder and lead organizer.

"We were worried about the heat too, but this is literally going to be the shadiest parade of all time," said Hell's Kitchen resident Mike LeDonne, 61, who has a 14-year-old daughter with a disability. "That’s the only reason we went ahead with the festival. It’s going to be hot, but those tents make this possible. We spared no expense."

Smaller tents and umbrellas will also be peppered throughout Union Square along with water stations. Parade organizers will handout fliers with information on nearby places to cool down indoors if you need a break from the Sunday heat, which is forecasted to reach the high 80s.

LeDonne did note that the Disability Pride Parade, which aims to raise awareness and celebrate those affected by disabilities, had requested parade permits for October, a cooler month that would eradicate the logistical woes brought on by the heat, but said the city has consistently redirected organizers to hosting the celebration during the summer. Lieutenant Grimpel said he could not speak to that claim.

The mayor's office did not return a request for comment.

The Disability Pride Parade steps off at Madison Square Park on Sunday at 10 a.m. traveling south on Broadway to Union Square. Festivities at Union Square run from noon to 3 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Disability Pride Parade NYC