HomeMy WebLinkAboutGRAAC - 2018-04-26
Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee
Date: Thursday April 26, 2018
Location: Conestoga Room, City of Kitchener
Present:
Sharon Giles (Co-Chair), Rob Bender, Donna Hartzler, Greg Moore (Co-Chair), Keri Cameron,
Gail Brunsdon, Rhonda-Marie Parke, Ben Benninger, Mike Shipley, Brenda Robinson, Paula
Saunders, Jolene MacDonald, Andrew Tutty, Councillor Yvonne Fernandes (City of Kitchener),
Sanjay Govindaray (Region of Waterloo) Leslie Roach (ASL Interpreter), Karen Panchaud (ASL
Interpreter), LoriAnn Palubeski (City of Kitchener),Lolita Paroski (City of Kitchener, City of
Waterloo), Janis McKenzie (City of Kitchener)
Regrets:
Jeff Smith (Township of Woolwich), Amy Black (Township of Wellesley), Ashley Sage
(Township of North Dumfries), Dawn Mitteholtz (Township of Wilmot), Councillor, Sue Foxton
(Region of Waterloo), Councillor Bob Mavin (City of Waterloo)
Guests: Karen Leasa (City of Kitchener), Steve Bendo, Janet Elliot, Barbara Ward, Mark
Stubbs, Aaran Rowles, (Region of Waterloo)
1.0 Welcome and Introductions
Sharon Giles called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m.
Round table introductions
2.0 Approval of February Minutes and April Agenda
Motion to accept the February minutes – moved by Ben Benninger and seconded by,
Mike Shipley carried and April Agenda – moved by Greg Moore, and seconded by
Donna Hartzler, carried.
3.0 Declarations of Pecuniary Interests
none
4.0 South Kitchener District Park – Karen Leasa, City of Kitchener
In April of 2017, the City of Kitchener and City of Waterloo staff met jointly with
GRAAC to present an overview of their current playground replacement strategies as
well as their current standards with regards to accessibility as it relates to new and
renovated playgrounds.
Following this meeting, GRAAC created Accessibility comment sheets that were
approved in October of 2017 relating to Outdoor Play Spaces/Playgrounds, Rest
Areas, and Recreational Trails based on the DOPS (Design of Public Spaces
Standard) within the AODA legislation.
Stantec Consulting Ltd. has been retained by the City of Kitchener to provide design
services for the recently named ‘RBJ Schlegel Park’ (Previously ‘South Kitchener District
Park’).
RBJ Schlegel Park is a 17 hectare (42 acre) land parcel located at the southwest corner
of Huron and Fischer Hallman roads.
The splash pad and playground area within the park will be included within Phase 1 of
the park development.
The RFP for the splash pad has already been issued and awarded to Open Space
Solutions.
The RFP for the playground will be issued in the next few months which will also form
part of Stantec’s scope of work and will procure the playground supplier and installer.
Playground Area
The playground design will focus on three specific areas within the playground
area, with a central pedestrian spine connecting these spaces:
1) Senior Play Area with senior swings (5yr – 12yrs)
2) Junior Play Area with junior swings (0-5yrs)
3) Natural & Sand Play Area with water feature (all ages)
Access to Playground:
Central spine will be asphalt with concrete banding along its length. Within the concrete
banding they will include tactile areas at each ramp access to notify of playground zones
& accessible entries.
Surfacing:
EWF (Engineered Wood Fibre) accessible safety surfacing will be used in the traditional
playground area and swing zones.
Equipment:
RFP will be evaluated based on Annex H requirements for accessibility of equipment
(including transfer stations and ramps).
Sand Play area will have a transfer station from the central spine.
Inclusion of sensory play components will be requested.
At least one accessible swing will be included.
Accessible route will be maintained with clearance around play elements & sufficient
turning radii.
Seating:
Accessible seating to be included within ‘picnic / spectator area’ adjacent to both senior
& junior play areas.
Armourstone seat wall will be included around perimeter of the play areas for informal
seating.
Signage:
Wayfinding signage will include high tonal contrast & simple fonts.
Best Practices:
Shade to be provided in ‘picnic/spectator area’.
Concrete ramp detail into play area.
Phase One Parking Information
Parking Stalls:
5.5m Length
2.6m Width
7.0m Driving Aisles
Accessible Parking Stalls:
5.5m Length
3.4m Width with 1.5m Access Aisle
Phase One Parking Totals:
8 Accessible Parking Spaces
350 Spaces
Park Paving Types
Concrete Walkway
Asphalt Walkway
AODA Tactile warning strips
Accessible Site Elements
AODA Trench Drain
Integrated Accessible Spectator Bleachers
Accessible Picnic Table
Accessible Splash Pad by Open Space Solutions
The naturally inclusive landscape of the aquatic play pad and the features that bring it to
life, gather people together for a fun adventure that satisfies unique physical and
cognitive needs while allowing for a wide range of accessibility for all ages and abilities.
Concrete pad
Surf Stones delight the senses. Inspired by the smooth pebbles of a shoreline, these
giant stones provide a calm space for kids to rest, relax and explore gentle water effects.
Surf Stones are available in three unique spray patterns and feature a sandblasted
surface for safe play.
Ground sprays built under the splash pad. The nozzles need to be covered in order to
push the water higher.
Easy movement for all ages and abilities, the 360° rotational hub features continuous
and smooth movement.
Tall blades of grass, whimsical wildflowers, smooth stones and friendly creatures, brings
the wonder and beauty of nature to the play pad.
5.0 Update on Accessible Employment workshop – Gail Brunsdon
Employment workshop rescheduled. Update deferred until the June GRAAC meeting.
6.0 Councillor Reports
Councillor Yvonne Fernandes (City of Kitchener):
1. Upcoming council meeting specific to Planning around zoning changes in the urban
growth areas all around the City. Flood plain zones, storm water, site specific in holding
provisions – (how we plan our community).
2. Budd Park area planning – professional buildings.
3. Very excited to share that the City of Kitchener will achieve 80% Greenhouse gas
reduction by 2050.
4. My ideal city essay contest for 9-11 year olds very successful. 18 winners to partner
with Mayor and Council for a mock council meeting.
5. Nominations for Municipal Election – May 1, 2018 – waiting on Provincial election to
fully get out and campaign – No municipal signs until September 5.
6. A question was posed to Councillor Fernanades from the committee as to whether she
thought a representative from this committee on other advisory committees might be a
good idea – it was suggested that the inquiry be brought to the All Committees meeting
in scheduled for June.
BREAK
7.0 City of Kitchener Outdoor Gym – Barbara Ward, Mark Stubbs presentation
Through a City of Kitchener place making grant Victoria Park Neighbourhood community
members in partnership with the YMCA are working together to implement an outdoor
gym that would require no membership fees and very little equipment utilizing1000
square feet in Victoria Park. Community members have also collaborated with Wilfird
Laurier University Kinesiology students in order find the right dual-purpose pieces,
accessible and standard equipment.
Structure would focus on upper/lower/balance/flexibility, as well as connect likeminded
people together. So far the initiative has received a $20,000 grant from Love My Hood
and a few dollars from other sources – not nearly enough – looking for more support.
Donations go directly to the YMCA. Go Fund Me suggested as an option.
Looking for input from the committee – are wood chips ok as rubberized tiles very costly.
Wood chips are better than grass or gravel; however, wood chips would not be
conducive for everyone’s accessibility issues. Rubberized tiles is preferred.
Presenters to work with Lolita when ready in order to bring back to the built environment
sub-committee for feedback on the proposed exercise equipment.
8.0 Region of Waterloo, Community Services Integrated Services Project – Arran
Rowles
Mid-stream into the work for Community Services. The goal to integrate four services
into one to make it easier for the customer. Enhanced expertise with staff collaborating
and problem solving to help clients navigate the service areas.
Barriers would include consent forms required in order for staff to share consent
amongst each other, scheduling systems three schedules into one schedule.
The Service Philosophy is to be the quality of life framework used across the department
and staff need to ask questions that go beyond their own specific jobs.
Pilot project included co-locating staff, seating staff together, knowledge increased and
clients said they had a better service experience.
Services located to where clients actually live.
New service philosophy to be implemented in future spaces not existing spaces.
Integrated Reception to be more welcoming, no more counters in the reception area.
Integrated teams.
Integrated Space planning.
ODSP staff included in integrated teams.
Take a number being looked at but no final decisions made as of yet.
Ministry of Transportation uses a system where a number is called and it shows up on a
screen however, some people may still need assistance to know where to go.
Staff with tablets to interact and greet people. Staff will go to the client versus the client
having to go to staff.
Feedback from committee:
Sometimes too many chairs in reception areas with no place for wheelchairs to sit while
waiting in a reception area.
New philosophy still early in the planning stages. They would like to come back to the
committee with specific questions.
9.0 Built Environment Update – Paula Saunders
Marrying Heritage and Accessibility workshop:
Paula and Lolita attended this workshop filled with various presentations. A great
example of community collaboration in St. Mary’s downtown core redevelopment was
shared.
ION stops:
An audit should be done on all the stops. It was proposed to do five or six major stops
and create a checklist. Members of the committee to then take the checklist in their
community and bring the results back to GRAAC. The target date for ION completion is
December 2018 it was discussed whether or not to do it sooner or wait. It should be
done sooner rather than later. How do we handle? Two or three dates in middle to end
of May for audit stops. Conestoga Mall, Grand River Hospital etc. Audit will likely take
no more than two hours. Meet at Conestoga Mall 10 am to 12 pm in middle to late May.
Paula to send an email requesting who would like to participate.
Accessible taxis:
Accessible taxis are not available on the weekends. United Taxi stated not regulated to
do so. Taxi association said there would be one twenty four and seven; however, it is
still not happening. Andrew was there, as a representative so should have access to
minutes. Two cab drivers have decided on his or her own that one or the other would be
available on the weekends. Go through GRT as they are contracted with GRT. This is
not just a GRAAC issue but also a much broader issue. Should we be involved as a
committee? Sanjay to connect with Gina to see about minutes and when the next
meeting is scheduled. GRAAC is an advisory committee not an advocacy committee so
as a representative on the committee we can advise the region that this is an issue and
ask what they can do. As an individual, you can advocate for change. As a committee,
do we want to put a letter together? All taxi companies should be accepting Next talk
communication. Greg and Sharon to put a letter together and consult with the Region of
Waterloo.
10.0 Co-chair/Staff Reports – Sharon Giles, Staff Reps
Sharon Giles spoke regarding the cancellation of the March meeting due to last minute
cancellations. It was suggested that in the future instead of cancelling the meeting
perhaps the committee could meet for brainstorming or more training from City staff.
Other Business
Employment Standards Review. GRAAC members felt that filling out the online survey is
enough. Sharon to resend the link. Brenda Robinson would like to find out how to
verbally fill out the survey. Lolita to forward Brenda the information.
Motion to Adjourn by Ben Benninger, seconded by Jolene MacDonald and carried.
Next meeting will be on Thursday May 24, 2018
City of Kitchener, 200 King St W – Conestoga Room
Please send regrets to:
Janis McKenzie at janis.mckenzie@kitchener.ca
or call 519-741-2200 Ext. 7225