Innovative playground swing lets young Burlington wheelchair users go for a ride

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Published May 25, 2023 at 9:03 pm

Playground at Central Park in Burlington.

A multi-user swing set at a Burlington park is one of the first of its kind in Ontario that accommodates children in wheelchairs.

Located in Central Park on New St., the swing was designed to give increased accessibility to those who want to go for a ride but usually can’t because of the limitations of traditional swings.

As well as accommodating children in wheelchairs the swing installation also includes a communication board for those who are non-verbal. A rubber safety surface has also been set up around the swing.

A spokesperson for the City of Burlington said the new swing is a significant step in making playground equipment available to more users.

“This may be the second of its kind in Ontario,” the spokesperson said adding the swing is already getting good use at the park.

The multi-user swing at Central Park was supported through funding from the Patrick J. McNally Charitable Foundation.

An official unveiling of the swing will take place June 5 at 1:30 p.m.

Meanwhile, Burlington is marking National AcessABILITY Week (NAAW) in several other ways from May 28 to June 3.

Flag raising at City Hall

A NAAW flag designed by the Rick Hansen Foundation will be raised at City Hall on May 29 at noon. NAAW was originally inspired by Rick Hansen’s Man in Motion World Tour in 1988. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Beach Mobi Mat installation

Thanks to funding from the Government of Ontario, the City has purchased seven new Mobi-Mats®. The mats are installed at Burlington Beachway. This brings the total number of Mobi®-Mats at Burlington Beachway to 11.

Mobi-Mat® is a portable and removable all-weather rollout beach access mat for pedestrians, wheelchair users, strollers and bicycles that improves access on the beach. The walkways are firm, non-slip and provide a stable surface for a wide range of users and made from eco-friendly materials and are recyclable.

Farmers’ Market

The Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee (BAAC) will have a booth at the Farmers’ Market at the Burlington Centre on Saturday, June 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Committee members will be available to speak with anyone about accessibility in the community. Members will also use the opportunity to raise awareness about the BAAC activities. Comments and concerns about accessibility in the city can be investigated, improved or captured as an action item in the City’s multi-year Accessibility Plan.

The Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee advises on the identification, removal and prevention of barriers to people with disabilities in the City of Burlington’s bylaws, policies, programs and services. The committee also:

  • Works in partnership with the City to create the Multi-Year Corporate Accessibility Plan
  • Advises the City on accessibility issues to help remove existing barriers and prevent new barriers from being created
  • Participates in many accessibility public awareness activities throughout the year

“NAAW has become an important time to take stock of how accessibility touches and improves everyone’s lives within the city and our commitment going forward to making Burlington the most barrier-free and inclusive City in Canada,” commented Adam Spencer, Chair of the Burlington Accessibility Advisory Committee.

 

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