NEW PLAYGROUND BOASTS ACCESSIBLE FEATURES

MORE THAN $1 MILLION SPENT ON EQUIPMENT, RUBBERIZED PLAY SURFACE

The new playground that opened earlier this year at Riverdale Park in Alliston is getting high praise for its accessible features.

Members of the town's accessibility advisory committee, along with council members, toured the new Rotary Adventure playground May 9.

"The park features smooth transitions from concrete pathways to rubberized surfaces and onto the accessible surface spinner," explained committee member Ashlie Drake, who is also a board director with Breaking Down Barriers. "I really appreciate the spacious accessible parking spaces with appropriate markings and to have enough room for a ramp to enter and exit a vehicle."

The playground is designed to accommodate those with visible and invisible disabilities through:

• a concrete curb depression into the playground

• additional concrete paving to the side of the benches for wheelchairs

and strollers

• accessible walkways

• accessible surface spinner, which avoids transition from a wheelchair to a seat

• swing set with an inclusive seat

• stationary play features

• rubber play surface flush with asphalt walkways and the accessible playground

• inclusive oversized saucer swing

• sensory activities

throughout the playground

More than $1 million was spent on upgrading the playground over the past year, including $970,000 in federal and provincial funding, and about $352,000 from the town.

"We are very appreciative of what the committee has accomplished with Riverdale Park, and with the hard work, passion and support of staff and volunteers," noted Mayor Rick Milne.