UPDATED:

City Statement: The City of Fort Lauderdale complies with all ADA requirements. This past Saturday, Riverwalk hosted a private, ticketed event at Esplanade Park. The event went through the permitting and approval process. This allowed them private use of the park and its bathroom facilities.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — City of Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trentalis is refusing to speak about the City’s blocking of handicapped-accessible bathrooms in Esplande Park. As first reported by BocaNewsNow.com the City apparently issued a permit for a “Vegan Block Party,” and gave event organizers permission to charge anyone wanting to use the public bathrooms a $10 admission fee.

When questioned by South Florida’s First News with Andrew Colton, Mayor Trentalis refused to appear to discuss the matter, as did his Chief of Staff Scott Wyman, and City Spokeswoman Ashley Doussard. In several terse emails, Doussard would only state that the City of Fort Lauderdale is “ADA compliant.”

People in wheelchairs, using walkers, and reliant on canes were turned away from the public bathrooms mid-day Saturday as the Vegan event was being set-up. Organizers told those hoping to use the public restrooms that they should, instead, use bathrooms in restaurants. That, however, is considered trespass and prohibited by most restaurants in the area.

Phin Phever