Barrie park revamped with new inclusive, accessible playground
Christmas came early in Barrie as a rare new inclusive and accessible playground was added to the revamping of Painswick Park.
"Having an all-inclusive park raises the conversation to ensure that everyone is aware that accommodation for people of all abilities, of all ages is important in our communities," said Hellaina Rothenburg, program consultant for Special Olympics Ontario.
The $2 million, 21,000 square foot playground is courtesy of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart charity.
The Barrie park is one of three locations in Canada to receive a specialized playground in 2023, and it will be bigger than any of the 15 they've built across the country to date.
It offers many unique and subtle features, including the debut of a swing system that kids needing wheelchairs can use without supervision.
Many details have been considered, revised and added based on new information and feedback received in the five years since Canadian Tire launched this program.
"The colour of the surface to make sure that children with low vision or no vision are able to contrast between different types of balls and the surfacing. Plus continuous surfacing that allows mobility to be enhanced," said Jumpstart Charities President Marco DiBuono.
Barrie Mayor Alex Nuttall knows first-hand the difference this park will make. His mother was hit by a car when he was 10, leaving her disabled.
"There's a lot of barriers associated with that, and so just the families and the children, and the friends of the children, and the new friends that are going to be made - I think it's going to be life-changing for a lot of kids," said Nuttall.
Special Olympics Ontario believes this playground could provide significant long-term benefits.
"It could help kids to develop some of the foundational skills that will eventually help them later in life. In sport, things like agility and balance that they may not be able to access at a traditional playground," said Rothenburg.
Canadian Tire says since its first playground was built in 2018, families have found them to be a source of independence.
"They felt that as parents, they could let their kids go without having to supervise them as intently as they did before because their kids were able to navigate all these different spaces now where they may not have been able to before," explained DiBuono.
The hope is that with the facelift and new additions, Painswick Park can become a staple social space for Ward 9 and south Barrie.
"I think this is modernizing what already exists there in terms of a hub for the community and hopefully enhancing it and moving it forward for the many years to come", said Nuttall.
The mayor says city council will continue to focus on delivering more accessibility in the community, adding they want to ensure that people can participate and enjoy the city regardless of their disabilities.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Life got in the way of one woman's reunion with her father, but a DNA test gained her a family
Anne Marie Cavner was the closest she'd ever been to meeting her biological father, but then life dealt her a blow. From an unexpected loss to a host of new relationships, a DNA test changed her life, and she doesn't regret a thing.
NEW Keeping these exotic pets is 'cruel' and 'dangerous,' Canadian animal advocates say
Canadian pet owners are finding companionship beyond dogs and cats. Tigers, alligators, scorpions and tarantulas are among some of the exotic pets they are keeping in private homes, which pose risks to public safety and animal welfare, advocates say.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Quebec Health Department reports 28 cases of eye damage linked to solar eclipse
Quebec's Health Department says it has received 28 reports of eye damage related to the April 8 total solar eclipse that passed over southern parts of the province.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'