East Lake Commons

By: Quinn Trail

My time at East Lake Commons was different than what I had been expecting. To start, I thought that East Lake Commons was a place for disabled people to reside and it is, however ONLY the homes are built with easy accessibility should a disabled person decide to live there. The homes were built to be easily accessible and the community strives to be a sustainable community. East Lake Commons has a community garden for residents to eat local produce and support the local farmer that farms there! The lady who started the community took pride in the meaning of East Lake Commons. It seemed like she really wanted to keep the community thriving by bringing people together and making sure people felt comfortable.

The first thing I noticed about East Lake was the accessibility provided in each home. Doors were wide enough for people with wheel chairs to enter and there were no steps along the porches to enter homes. I had never thought about doors and steps as being a hindrance for people who are either older or disabled! However, doors and steps are what hinder disabled people from being able to enter homes! The sidewalks were easily accessible by being wide enough for one to go around the whole neighborhood without having to step on a step.

            Yet, I noticed East Lake Commons exhibiting two contrasting things: privacy and sociality/activity. To the normal urban dweller, East Lake Commons is very private! It is an enclosed, gated housing community. It almost feels like being away in another world. Although the houses are a little crowded together, the fact that this housing community is in the city but yet makes you feel far away gives you a little feeling of privacy. But, although I felt privacy I certainly didn’t feel isolated. The neighborhood was very active! There were people outside hanging out in their yards and children running around. The people at East Lake all seemed to know one another. East Lake Commons also had a community garden and a community center. One of the requirements that residents have to do at East Lake Commons is to volunteer in the community at least 4 hours a month. I think that allows people to come together and work together to make the comfortable setting thriving.

            East Lake Commons provides comfort to the residents by allowing the homes to be accessible. The rooms are very spacious allowing easy access from living rooms to kitchens. The hallways are wide. Again, there are no steps in the homes. People can come and go through rooms very easily. Although East Lake Commons sounds like it only allows disabled residents to live there, despite easy accessibility East Lake Commons also provides residents with adaptable homes. People who are perfectly healthy live in this community. Though the homes were built for easy accessibility, the homes are also made to entice young, middle-aged, and old people to live! The homes are open to everyone wanting to live in a cohousing community.

            Overall, my visit to East Lake Commons was very interesting. I had never been in a cohousing community and was very delighted to discover the warm environment that poured out from the people living there.