Accessibility Advisory Committee Reviews Riverstone Park Plans

The Accessibility Advisory Committee reviewed plans for Riverstone Park, a 0.65-hectare park scheduled for construction in 2027. The design includes barrier-free paths, an accessible playground, accessible parking, fitness stations, shade structures and a rain garden, but no public washrooms. The committee also received updates on $125,000 in accessibility funding for Falgarwood Pool, provincial building-code consultations and the end of the 2022–2026 committee term.

Topics Discussed

RIVERSTONE PARK DESIGN AND TIMELINE

The proposed park is east of Trafalgar Road, north of Riverstone Drive and west of Milford Lane. Planned features include:

• An accessible playground with ramped access and engineered wood-fiber surfacing.
• Three fitness stations with six pieces of equipment.
• Barrier-free, illuminated paths connecting Trafalgar Road, Riverstone Drive and Milford Lane.
• Game tables for chess, ping-pong and cornhole.
• Accessible seating, low rest walls, a shade pergola and an open lawn.
• A rain garden for stormwater management.

The park "will feature an accessible playground, three fitness stations with six pieces of equipment, a shade structure for shelter from the elements," said Carmen Huey of the Town of Oakville's Parks and Open Space Department.

The project is expected to go to tender in late 2026 or early 2027, begin construction in April 2027 and be completed in October 2027.

PLAYGROUND ACCESSIBILITY AND SURFACING

The town plans to use engineered wood fiber rather than rubber surfacing in the playground. Staff said rubber surfacing is generally reserved for larger destination parks.

Councillor Dave Gittings asked whether accessible play structures could be placed near paved areas: "Is it possible to locate the accessible play structures, for lack of a better word, to be easily accessible from the hard surface or the paved surface just to make it easier to get young ones over there?"

Committee members also discussed wheelchair-accessible swings or rockers, sensory panels, quiet areas and equipment for neurodiverse children. Staff said accessible equipment would be positioned near paved pathways.

PARKING, PATHS AND UNIVERSAL DESIGN

Free, unmetered on-street parking is planned along the north side of Riverstone Drive and Milford Lane. Accessible spaces are to meet town standards and provide clearance for wheelchair vans and side-loading ramps.

The design includes flush curbs, tonal contrast in paving materials, edge lighting and companion spaces beside more than 20 per cent of the seating. The paths will connect the park to Trafalgar Road, Riverstone Drive and Milford Lane.

PUBLIC WASHROOMS AND SHADE

The proposed park does not include public washrooms. The committee discussed the implications of that decision for park users, as well as the broader need for public washrooms in Oakville parks.

The design includes a shade structure. 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."

OTHER ACCESSIBILITY UPDATES

The committee received notice that $125,000 in external funding had been secured for accessibility upgrades at Falgarwood Pool.

It also received information about the town's July submission to the provincial consultation on stronger accessibility requirements in the Ontario Building Code.

The meeting was the final session of the 2022–2026 Accessibility Advisory Committee term. Councillor Dave Gittings, who is not seeking re-election, is leaving the committee. The incoming committee is scheduled to meet on Jan. 23, 2027.

Motions

• Riverstone Park accessibility plan: The committee endorsed the proposed accessibility features for Riverstone Park for consideration by Town Council.
• Falgarwood Pool accessibility funding: The committee received notification of the $125,000 external funding award.
• Ontario Building Code consultation: The committee received information about its July submission regarding stronger provincial accessibility standards.

Attendees

• Councillor Dave Gittings
• Carmen Huey, landscape architect, Town of Oakville Parks and Open Space Department
• Nora, committee member and resident speaker
• Dean Travers, committee member
• David, meeting participant