Item - 2025.EX20.14

The Executive Committee:

1. Requested the General Manager, Parks 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. Requested the General Manager, Parks 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 October 24, 2025 meeting of the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee; 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.

At its meeting on December 11, 2024, the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee considered Item DI10.2 and made recommendations to the Executive Committee.

Summary from the Toronto Accessibility Advisory Committee:

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.