Saugeen Shores is upgrading three parks, and adding a new playground.
A media release reported the playgrounds at Nodwell, Waterloo and Pierson parks will have new equipment designed to meet and exceed accessibility requirements. A brand-new playground is also coming to Summerside Park.
All work will start this fall, through to spring 2022, and have a budget of just over $385,000. The project was approved in the 2021 Community Services Capital budget.
The Port Elgin & District Lions Club donated $50,000 for Nodwell Park’s replacement equipment
The designs were created following input from more than 1,000 residents, the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Port Elgin & District Lions Club
“These parks will be community hubs for everyone to enjoy for years to come,” said Luke Charbonneau, Mayor of Saugeen Shores. “We are so grateful to the Lion’s Club for generously partnering with us. We are also pleased that the new designs meet and exceed accessibility requirements so we can make sure kids with varying abilities can play safe and have fun.”
“We are proud to contribute to and be a part of the Nodwell Park project,” said Ed Buckle, President of the Port Elgin & District Lion’s Club. “A playground is a central attraction in any park, and we know the design we have contributed to will meet the needs of so many children in our community. It will be exciting to watch it become a reality over the coming months.”
Throughout the design process, Town staff followed the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation Guidelines. These requirements are for both ground and deck levels of playgrounds to accommodate as many children – no matter their ability – as possible. The Nodwell and Summerside Parks will include enhanced swings. Each of the four parks will have many inclusive features as well.