Item - 2024.DI10.2

Tracking Status

DI10.2 - Beach and Toronto Island Accessibility

Decision Type:
ACTION
Status:
Amended
Wards:
All

Committee Decision

The Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that the Executive Committee:

 

1. Request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consult with the Division’s Community Disability Steering Committee on the placement and visitor experience related to the installation of beach mats and accessible beach features and make the minutes of the Community Disability Steering Committee publicly available prior to the start of the 2025 season.

 

2. Request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Waterfront Secretariat, to review the infrastructure proposals in the Presentation from Friends of Hanlan’s Point Beach Proposed Accessibility Requirements and give consideration to:
 

a. scheduling a consultation meeting for the disability community in January 2025 to discuss the improvements underway at Bluffer's Park Beach to ensure they are accessible;


b. conducting an audit of all of Toronto's beaches to establish gaps in accessibility and report results back to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at the October 24, 2025 meeting; and


c. exploring the creation of accessible, digital maps of parks, recreation centres, and beaches to aid people living with disabilities in preparing their visit to those spaces.

Decision Advice and Other Information

The Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects Design and Delivery, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and the General Supervisor, Parks Operations and Technology Services, Parks, Forestry and Recreation gave a presentation on Beach and Toronto Island Accessibility.

 

David from Friends of Hanlan's gave a presentation on Hanlan's Point Beach Proposed Accessibility Requirements.

Summary

Parks, Forestry and Recreation is committed to creating inclusive parks, facilities and natural spaces for everyone. Inna Olchovski, the Senior Project Manager, Capital Projects Design and Delivery, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and Andrea Chow, the General Supervisor, Parks Operations and Technology Services, Parks, Forestry and Recreation will give a presentation that responds to Item 2024.EX18.11 and provides an overview of how accessibility measures are considered and implemented at City beaches and Toronto Islands.

Background Information

Presentation from Parks, Forestry and Recreation on Beach and Toronto Island Accessibility
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/di/bgrd/backgroundfile-251287.pdf
Presentation from Friends of Hanlan's on Hanlan's Point Beach Proposed Accessibility Requirements.
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/di/bgrd/backgroundfile-251531.pdf

Communications

(December 8, 2024) Letter from Jane Anderson, Co-founder, Toronto Lakefront Community (DI.New.DI10.2)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2024/di/comm/communicationfile-185375.pdf
(December 9, 2024) E-mail from Beate Hundert (DI.New.DI10.2)

Speakers

Jane Anderson, Co-founder, Toronto Lakefront Community

Motions

Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Luke Anderson (Carried)

That the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend that:

 

1. The Executive Committee request the General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, in consultation with the Waterfront Secretariat, to review the infrastructure proposals in the Presentation from Friends of Hanlan’s Point Beach Proposed Accessibility Requirements and give consideration to:
 

- scheduling a consultation meeting for the disability community in January 2025 to discuss the improvements underway at Bluffer's Park Beach to ensure they are accessible;


- conducting an audit of all of Toronto's beaches to establish gaps in accessibility and report results back to the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee at the October 24, 2025 meeting; and


- exploring the creation of accessible, digital maps of parks, recreation centres, and beaches to aid people living with disabilities in preparing their visit to those spaces.


Motion to Amend Item (Additional) moved by Councillor Jamaal Myers (Carried)

That the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee recommend the Executive Committee request:

 

1. The General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation to consult with the Division’s Community Disability Steering Committee on the placement and visitor experience related to the installation of beach mats and accessible beach features and make the minutes of the Community Disability Steering Committee publicly available prior to the start of the 2025 season.


Motion to Adopt Item as Amended moved by Councillor Jamaal Myers (Carried)
Source: Toronto City Clerk at www.toronto.ca/council