Lakeside Park

Located in Port Dalhousie Ward of St. Catharines, Lakeside Park offers 1,500 feet of sandy beach, as well as a picnic area, playground equipment, and harbour walkway. Work to improve accessibility in the park began in early 2017. A Barrier Buster grant will provide a beach sun shelter, located adjacent to the existing beachfront sidewalk and beside beach-access mats (“Mobi-Mats”) installed in summer 2016. The shelter will provide a place for people to organize prior to accessing the mats.

1. Why did you decide to break down barriers in your community?

   Located in Port Dalhousie Ward of St. Catharines, Lakeside Park offers 1,500 feet of sandy beach, as well as a picnic area, playground equipment, and harbour walkway. Work to improve accessibility in the park began in early 2017. A Barrier Buster grant will provide a beach sun shelter, located adjacent to the existing beachfront sidewalk and beside beach-access mats (“Mobi-Mats”) installed in summer 2016. The shelter will provide a place for people to organize prior to accessing the mats.

2. How is this project going to make a difference in your community?

   Numerous accessibility-focused renovations and new builds are taking place at Lakeside Park, the city’s premier park. The beach sun shelter will have accessible picnic benches, and is located beside beach access mats. Barrier-free inclusion is important - it’s a new normal.

3. What’s the best thing about being a Barrier Buster?

   Being a Barrier Buster is standard objective of all improvements in St. Catharines. This particular project engages everyone to commonly acknowledge that people with disabilities go the beach, parks, and events to enjoy the amenities and participate. This can only happen when there is access instead of barriers.