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July/August – Trail construction
August/September – Playground construction & trail paving
September/October – Cleanup and finishing work
Mitlenatch Park Accessibility Upgrades
Last Updated:
Community
Area D
Type
Recreation, Parks & Facilities
Status
In Progress
Background
The SRD secured funding through the BC Tire Stewardship grant program, combined with Community Works Funds, to install two new accessible and inclusive play structures and poured-in-place rubber surfacing made from recycled BC tires at Mitlenatch Park in Electoral Area D. These upgrades will create safer, more accessible, and more inclusive play spaces for children and families while replacing aging playground equipment.
News
SRD Celebrates Accessible Playground Upgrades at Mitlenatch Park
New accessible playground equipment, paved pathways and recycled rubber surfacing create more inclusive recreational opportunities for families in Electoral Area D.
The Strathcona Regional District (SRD) celebrated the completion of accessibility improvements at Mitlenatch Park in Electoral Area D last Friday October 23rd, marking an important investment in inclusive public spaces where children and families of all abilities can play, connect and enjoy outdoor recreation.
The project included installing two new pieces of accessible playground equipment: an All-Around Spinner, an inclusive alternative to a traditional merry-go-round, and a We Rock, an accessible version of a teeter-totter. Additional improvements included paving the pathway from the park entrance to the playground and installing accessible playground surfacing made from recycled BC tires.
Together, these upgrades help remove physical barriers and create a more welcoming recreational space for children, caregivers and families with diverse mobility needs.
The project was initiated as part of the SRD's ongoing parks maintenance and infrastructure replacement program. With existing playground equipment reaching the end of its useful life, SRD staff identified an opportunity to go beyond routine replacement and advance the Regional Board's broader objectives for accessibility, inclusion and community well-being.
"Rather than simply replacing aging playground equipment, we saw an opportunity to make meaningful improvements that will benefit the entire community for years to come," said John Rice, Electoral Area D Director. "This project demonstrates how thoughtful planning and investment in existing infrastructure can help create public spaces that are more accessible, inclusive and welcoming for everyone."
Financial contributions from the Strathcona Regional District and Tire Stewardship BC made the improvements possible, and their grant program supports community projects that incorporate recycled BC tires.
"Accessibility is about more than infrastructure. It is about ensuring everyone has opportunities to participate in community life," said Susan Sinnott, Chair of the Strathcona Accessibility and Inclusion Advisory Committee. "Playgrounds are places where children build friendships, families connect and communities come together. These improvements help make those experiences more accessible to everyone."
The SRD celebrated the completion of the Mitlenatch Park accessibility upgrades with a community ribbon-cutting ceremony on October 23, featuring a welcome and blessing from James Quatell of Wei Wai Kum First Nation.
