In our community, sidewalk care during the winter season is critical to ensure that residents of all ages can safely and confidently navigate from one business to the next while running errands. Age Friendly South Portland’s Golden Shovel Program is once again inciting lively competition among businesses routinely patronized along Ocean Street in Knightville to make snowy and slippery sidewalks safe again.

Age Friendly South Portland is accepting nominations for the annual Golden Shovel Award. Courtesy photo

Last winter, Verbena (103 Ocean St.) was awarded the coveted Golden Shovel as the 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.

This winter, as you visit Ocean Street businesses, Age Friendly South Portland wants to know what you think about their storefronts’ walkability and accessibility – which businesses’ sidewalks are clear and easy to navigate, handicap accessible, and conscientious of shoveling/sanding through the day.

We are excited to find out whether Verbena can retain the glory of the Golden Shovel, or if another Ocean Street business can claim it as its own – so let us know of your experiences! At the end of the winter season, Age Friendly South Portland will compile all received feedback, share comments with participating businesses for improvement during the next winter season, and award the most-praised business with the Golden Shovel!

Please reach out to Age Friendly South Portland via email at agefriendly@southportland.org or on Facebook (@AgeFriendlySP) with feedback and reviews on the Ocean Street businesses participating in this year’s Golden Shovel program.

Chad MacLeod is co-chair of the Age Friendly South Portland Committee and can be reached at agefriendly.southportland@gmail.com.