Aurora's first fully accessible park to officially open in September

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 24, 2017
By Teresa Latchford

Aurora's first fully accessible park is set to officially open in September.

It took nearly five years for the idea to become reality, but the Town of Aurora is putting the final touches on the new park before setting the final grand opening date. Located at 18 Civic Square Gate of John West Way, the former passive park now features a mix of active and leisure features - including a playground featuring equipment suitable for children of any ability, with a rubberized surface, sandbox, fountain feature, sensory garden and meditation area. The existing walking circuit often used by nearby senior citizens and the soccer pitch also remain in the park. 

While the park has yet to officially open, many of its features are already being enjoyed by residents.

"When we opened the fence in the seating area in the park, there were people almost immediately socializing and drinking coffee," acting parks manager Sara Tienkamp said. "There are children already enjoying the playground as well."

In celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, marking the 60th anniversary of her accession to the throne, council approved the proposal to rededicate the public park - then known as Civic Square Park - in honour of the occasion. The simple proposal began to grow from a renaming to the creation of something the town could be proud to show. It was to become an amenity suitable for all ages and abilities, including appropriate activities for children, adults and senior citizens, as well as those with physical or sensory challenges.

"There are elements throughout the entire park for everyone, including textures to touch, smells to experience and more," she added. "It's not just features for those with physical challenges."

In honour of all the local residents who were selected and received a Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal in recognition of their community dedication, a plaque was dedicated by Prince Andrew, Duke of York, at a Queen's York Rangers event in 2014.

The public was given a say in the design elements of the park through public consultation sessions held by the town.

The cost to fully transform the green space was $360,000.