A new accessible playground and community hub has opened at Canatara Park. Pictured left to right are Todd Murray with Rotary Sarnia-Lambton After-Hours, Rob Collie with Rotary Sarnia, Rotary Sarnia-Bluewaterland's Henry Kulik and Marie Watson, City of Sarnia recreation and planning manager Ryan Chamney, Rotary-Bluewaterland member Pat Boegelin, and Mike Elliott with Rotary Sarnia. Tyler Kula/Postmedia News

An accessible playground, the first of its kind in Sarnia, has opened at Canatara Park.

More than a playground, the wheelchair-accessible play structure atop a poured-in-place rubber base, also features nearby benches with built-in games tables, a stage area for theatre beside the existing picnic pavilion, and exercise equipment.

We just wanted to create a space that, whether youre playing or a caregiver here to watch their kids play, theres something to do, said city recreation and planning manager Ryan Chamney.

The project cost roughly $335,000, and was partly funded with $80,000 and $90,000 in total from all three of Sarnias Rotary clubs.

We got a lot for what we spent, said Chamney.

The Canatara Park Rotary Clubs of Sarnia Accessible Playground and Community Hub project is step one of nine in accessibility upgrades eyed for playgrounds in various city parks, he said.

Tecumseh Park is up next. Work is planned to start there later in 2020 and likely wrap up in 2021, Chamney said.

Accessible swings, wheelchair gliders and other upgrades are being eyed as part of the projects.

Not all the upgrades will necessarily be as big as the hub project in Canatara, Chamney said, but theyll all be made accessible and inclusive spaces.

The initial timeline for the accessibility projects collectively was in 2018 estimated at three to 15 years, depending on funding availability.

Accessibility upgrades are also being worked out for the nearby Canatara bandshell.

Rotary officials with Rotary clubs of Sarnia, Sarnia-Lambton After-Hours, and Sarnia-Bluewaterland said their contribution came from Trip of the Month lottery proceeds.

The project was completed by Park N Play Design Company Ltd, and the design was vetted and endorsed by the clubs and the citys accessibility advisory committee.

That design has also been awarded Playcore national designation for meeting best practices in youth fitness, and for promoting inclusive play and recreation.

The new playground replaces one a plaque says the city and Sarnia-Bluewaterland club jointly opened in October 1994.

That accessible structure was outdated as far as Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act standards, city officials said.

A grand opening to celebrate the new structure and unveil a commemorative plaque is being eyed for the spring, Chamney said, thanking the Rotary clubs for helping make it possible.

Landscaping and grass seeding in the area is also planned for the spring.

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New accessible playground is the first of its kind for Sarnia - Sarnia and Lambton County This Week

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