Penetanguishene council is anticipating that Rotary Champlain Wendat Park will be the place to be for those wanting accessibility to its beach and water, thanks to an upcoming rolling boardwalk.
The recreation and community services section presented an accessible beaches report to the recent committee of the whole, and while the initial request from council was to look at accessible mats for their municipal beaches, the staff option of a rolling boardwalk was the preferred choice.
“I fully support that,” said Coun. George Vadeboncoeur. “I’ve seen both in action, I’ve used both types. I think in the area I was involved with where we did do the accessible mats, I think if we had to do it all over again we would go with the rolling boardwalks.”
The report noted that municipal beaches weren’t specifically targeted within the town’s multi-year accessibility plan for accessibility improvements, but staff looked at the design of public spaces and consulted the wellbeing and accessibility committee to reach their recommendation.
The consultation included residents with great interest in the accessibility of the beach, according to the report.
Mayor Doug Rawson spoke to the report at the committee of the whole meeting, calling it “another home run”.
“I know of two individuals who are going to be over-the-moon ecstatic when this is implemented,” said Rawson, giving large thanks to town staff for their recommendation.
Construction of the rolling boardwalks will consist of lumber and the utilization of decommissioned fire hoses purchased through the parks operating budget, and following the template created by Tiny Township in their fabricated accessible boardwalks such as the one at Lafontaine Beach Park. Anticipated costs are estimated to be roughly $1,500 to $2,000 plus staff time; potential grant opportunities could lower that cost if successful.
With a preferred location near the basketball and volleyball courts, staff would also be restoring and enhancing a limestone trail section near the Scott Street parking lot of Rotary Champlain Wendat Park using a Trans Canada Trail spring clean up grant.
The report also looked at Huronia Park for similar accessibility, but several reasons prevented a recommendation there including lack of pathways, significant slope, limited connectivity to the parking lot, and uneven ground. However, staff noted they would be looking toward the 2027 capital plan for accessibility improvements.
The committee of the whole approved of the staff recommendation, with ratification expected to occur at an upcoming regular council meeting.
The accessible beaches report can be located on the agenda page of the Town of Penetanguishene website.
Meetings of Penetanguishene council are held on the second Wednesday of each month, and can be watched live on Rogers TV cable 53 when available, or on the Rogers TV website.
Archives of council meetings are located on the Town of Penetanguishene YouTube channel.
