Accessibility Advisory Committee Reviews Riverside Park Design

The Accessibility Advisory Committee reviewed the detailed design for Riverside Park, focusing on accessible routes, playground features, seating, parking, shade and the absence of washrooms. Members endorsed the accessibility features but pressed staff on practical barriers for wheelchair users and people with disabilities, especially in the playground and washroom-free design. Staff said construction is expected to run from April to October 2027.

Topics Discussed

RIVERSIDE PARK DESIGN

The 65-hectare park, east of Trafalgar Road and north of Riverstone Drive, is in detailed design. Staff said the plan follows the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, Oakville's universal design standards, accessible-facility guidelines and the Ontario Building Code.

Presenter Carmen Huey said the park will include "accessible walkway connections into the park," "accessible flush curbs and material changes between all park elements," an "accessible ramp into engineered wood fiber playground," and "a minimum of 20% of seating opportunities will be accessible including a paved pad to accommodate mobility devices."

Huey said the park "will feature an accessible playground, three fitness stations with six pieces of equipment, a shade structure for shelter from the elements," with the main entrance at the cul-de-sac of Riverstone Drive. She added that the entrance "is accessible with a paved surface and a wayfinding feature."

On timing, Huey said, "after the detailed design is complete and incorporating some of the comments that we receive, we will go to tender and we will award in the early part of 2027 and go to construction in April of 2027 and be completed by October of 2027."

PLAYGROUND AND RECREATION ACCESSIBILITY

Committee members focused on how children and caregivers with mobility needs would actually reach play equipment.

Councillor Dave Gittings asked whether accessible play structures could be placed "to be easily accessible from the hard surface or the paved surface just to make it easier" for families. Staff said accessible equipment would be positioned so it could be reached from paved routes as well as from the play surface.

Members also discussed shade. Gittings said, "Based on our current summers and the heat and the sun, uh I think we are seeing the future here in terms of the absolute necessity for more shade."

PARKING, SEATING AND WAYFINDING

The design includes on-street parking along Riverstone Drive and Milford Lane, including accessible spaces.

Committee members also raised concerns about seating details and edge protection near a seat wall. Staff said the design would include accessible seating areas and paved pads for mobility devices, and agreed to consider adjustments raised during the discussion.

WASHROOMS

The park design does not include washrooms, prompting the strongest concerns of the meeting.

A committee member told the committee, "You need to have a washroom. What do you do with someone who has a leg bag, who has a catheter and it's filling up where are we going to empty these things?" She added that without facilities, "you're just going to cause bowel and bladder issues."

She said an accessible washroom did not need to be elaborate, "but something that someone with a wheelchair can go in and empty," adding, "I've seen people and they're emptying it, you know, beside a tree, and you've taken away dignity."

Another member stated, "So, do I think all parks, all public spaces, or broadly speaking, the town of Oakville should have means and ways to accommodate people who need a washroom as a basic need. Yes, I think we should start there in terms of more public washrooms within the community."

The discussion framed the issue as one of basic access rather than convenience, with members questioning whether a large public park can be fully accessible without washroom facilities.

OTHER ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVES

The committee also heard updates on other accessibility work, including funding for improvements at Falerwood Pool and an Ontario government consultation on stronger accessibility requirements in the Building Code.

The current committee term is ending. Andrea said, "we'd like to recognize uh councillor Dave Gittings for his service as the committee's council representative. as councillor Giddings is not seeking re-election. This marks the conclusion of his time uh in this role."

The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 23, 2027, with no December meeting.

Motions

Passed: - Endorsement of Riverside Park accessibility features.

Deferred/Rejected: - None identified in the meeting notes.

Attendees

• Councillor Dave Gittings
• Nora
• Dean Travers
• Deborah
• Carmen Huey
• Andrea