TAMRMS#: B06
6.1
Information Item Only
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Inclusive & Accessible Playground Strategy
Presented by: Manda Wilde, Supervisor, Parks Planning & Stewardship, Recreation & Parks
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SUMMARY
This report provides an overview of the attached draft Inclusive & Accessible Playground Strategy (Strategy). The Strategy:
* provides a service provision approach (e.g., where, when, to what extent) for providing equitable access to inclusive playground opportunities,
* identifies opportunities to improve asset data and public information on accessible and inclusive playgrounds, and
* includes recommendations to redevelop existing playgrounds and create new playgrounds within key growth areas that fall under the established criteria.
Both the service levels and recommendations consider a range of factors, such as geography, demographics, variety of play experiences, and fiscal responsibility.
ALIGNMENT TO COUNCIL DIRECTION OR MANDATORY STATUTORY PROVISION
On July 2, 2024, Council passed the following motion:
CM-24-013
That the City of St. Albert complete a "Accessible and Inclusive Playground Strategy" funded from the Stabilization Reserve in the amount $120,000 with the work to be completed and reported back to City Council by Q2 2025.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
Policy, Standards, and Guidelines
There is no single standard for developing inclusive and accessible playgrounds. Currently, all municipal playground development is guided by city, provincial, and federal policies, standards, and guidelines, such as:
* Parks and Open Spaces Standards and Guidelines,
* Municipal Development Plan (2021),
* Municipal Engineering Standards (2021),
* Universal Access Plan, and
* Canadian Standards Association Playground Safety Standards: Annex H.
The Strategy is informed by these key documents and other leading practices, including alignment to the corporate IDEA strategy which is currently in development.
Playground Inventory
St. Albert has 67 City-owned playgrounds. The ...
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