How Do We Make Sure a Grandfather Can Watch his Grandkids Play

When we talk about community, we like to think it means everyone. But for a long time, public spaces, parks, trails, and beaches that make living on the South Shore so incredible, haven't actually been accessible to everyone.

If you navigate the world in a wheelchair, push a stroller, or live with mobility challenges, a simple afternoon at the beach or a walk in the woods isn't simple at all. A few inches of loose gravel, a steep incline, or the lack of an accessible washroom can completely shut a person out from enjoying their own community. Accessibility isn't an afterthought or a "nice-to-have" luxury; it’s a fundamental part of treating people with dignity.

Just after we launched GO Rock, due to a brain injury, I lost the ability to use my left leg. I was incredibly fortunate. Thanks to a brain surgeon at the QEII I was back on my feet walking just four hours after my surgery. But it gave me a perspective I will never forget.

If people are going to be in a position where they cannot fix the issue, the absolute least we can do is ensure our public infrastructure helps them navigate the world they exist in so they can enjoy the same beautiful spaces the rest of us do on a regular basis.

That is why it’s worth taking a moment to give credit where credit is due. MoDL in my opinion is doing a fantastic job putting money, resources, and design focus into making our public spaces truly inclusive.

I asked them for their plans and recent upgrades and they are actively changing how people get to experience our region.

MoDL is rolling out practical improvements across our favourite local spots this year, making sure that nature is within reach for everybody:

• Miller Point Peace Park: An existing trail loop has been upgraded to meet strict accessibility standards. They’ve also built a brand-new accessible trail running right from the outer parking lot to the inner lot, complete with rest stops along the way. This builds perfectly on the accessible canoe and kayak launch they put in last year.
• The MARC in Dayspring: The Municipal Activity Recreation Complex is getting a massive inclusivity boost. A new building for park and summer staff will feature programming space and a public-access, fully accessible washroom, outfitted with an adult change table, an often-overlooked necessity. On top of that, a fully inclusive, accessible playground is being installed this year, tied together with connecting pathways.
• Hirtles Beach: If you’ve ever tried to navigate sand with a mobility device, you know it’s nearly impossible. MoDL has installed a removable pathway/boardwalk here to allow folks with mobility issues to actually get down close to the water.
• Mush-a-Mush Beach Park and Indian Falls: The old vault washrooms at Mush-a-Mush are being replaced with brand-new accessible washrooms and change rooms. Meanwhile, Indian Falls Park just saw trail and look-off upgrades to make them accessible, alongside shade shelters and picnic areas designed to welcome all users.
• Sawpit Wharf Park: The old timber wharf is being removed and replaced, and the new setup will feature an accessible canoe/kayak launch. Future phases include installing accessible vault washrooms, pathways, and parking.

What’s even more encouraging is that they are designing future projects with inclusion at the absolute forefront, rather than trying to retroactively fix them later.

This year, they are designing an accessible parking area for the upper ballfields at the MARC, with plans to build it next year. This fall, MoDL is launching a public consultation process to develop a community concept plan for Wiles Lake Park, explicitly putting accessibility at the very centre of the design from day one.

At 107.9 Go Rock, our philosophy is built on independent, hard-working community values. We know the grit it takes to build a business here, and we know how tightly knit our towns truly are.

These upgrades mean more families spending time together, fewer barriers for our neighbours, and a healthier, more welcoming South Shore. Hats off to Mayor Elspeth McLean-Wile, Trudy Payne (Director of Recreation, Parks & Tourism) Tissy Bolivar (Program Coordinator), Moira Frier (Active Living Coordinator) and all those at MoDL that helped put in the work to build a community where nobody gets left behind on the sidelines.

When a municipality looks at our parks and asks, "How do we make sure a grandfather can watch his grandkids play at the MARC, or a person with a disability can launch a kayak at Miller Point?" that is leadership worth applauding. 

Look out for your neighbours, enjoy our accessible trails, and keep it tuned to GO Rock.