We need accessible playgrounds

Guelph is trying to ensure everyone has a playground and park within a reasonable distance of their homes, but failing to create all new playgrounds with accessible surfaces and include games and structures that kids and caregivers with mobility issues can access. So there are only three playgrounds within Guelph that kids with mobility devices can play on, and the rest have designs surrounded by wood chips (playground mulch). 

Wood chips are bad for everyone, not just disabled people

• Grandparents who have a hard time walking on uneven surfaces must stay on the sidelines.
• Caregivers who use mobility devices can't play with their kids.
• Parents with kids who need strollers who have an older child cannot access swings or run to their child to help them easily.
• Kids fall on wood chips and get injured or get splinters.
• Younger kids put them in their mouths.
• Any number of unpleasant things such as vomit, animal waste, mold from decomposition or food spills exist in the wood chip area, which are health hazards and a fast way to get pink eye or other illnesses. 

We waste tax money by not building these parks correctly the first time

We have three amazing options in Guelph with Riverside, Eastview and Dragonfly Park so we know the city is capable of so much better. Why are we wasting our tax money redoing older playgrounds with new ones not everyone can use? Do kids with disabilities not deserve to play near their homes? Do caregivers not deserve to play with their kids? Why are we creating a city where one person's taxes and rent gives them more than others? Flexible flat surfaces (preferably latex free) require less maintenance than wood chips which need to be replaced. Everyone can use an accessible playground and it benefits more than just those with mobility issues. So let's tell the city that we want all new playgrounds built with accessible surfaces and options by default, and then insist we fix the existing playgrounds as our next priority. 

Guelph's Facility Accessibility Design Manual states:

"Children’s play areas and playground equipment, sandboxes or other amenities shall be designed to be inclusive, incorporating accessibility features, such as sensory and active play components, for children and caregivers with various disabilities. Colour contrast is important.

Playground surfaces shall be firm, level, non-abrasive and drain rapidly. Surfaces below playground equipment, including swings, slides and climbing structures, shall be level, firm, stable, free-draining and provide a safe, resilient landing surface with impact attenuating properties for injury prevention. There should be sufficient clearance to provide children and caregivers with various disabilities the ability to move through, in and around the outdoor play space." 

Wood chips do not meet any of those standards

• Playgrounds where the kids must traverse wood chips are not inclusive.
• Adding in 'talking tubes' (that don't even work most of the time) so kids who use wheelchairs can talk to kids who actually get to play are an insult. They can hear about how fun it is, but are excluded.
• Wood chips provide zero colour contrast.
• They are not a firm, level, stable, or non-abrasive surface.

Even if one planning document has referred to wood chips as accessible, it doesn't make it true. Guelph is required to consult their Accessibility Advisory Council on accessibility of playgrounds, but not required to take their advice. We can do so much better than this.

Please sign and tell the City of Guelph that you care!