Councillor Kelly Broome: Barrier-free fun for all! Newmarket's First Fully Accessible Splash Pad

The much anticipated Ward 6 community water park, Newmarket’s first fully accessible splash pad is scheduled to open this summer with a soft opening scheduled for Tuesday, July 13th at 10 am. Located in the Ward 6 Community at Dr. Margaret  Arkinstall Park, right next door to Terry Fox Public School on Sawmill Valley Drive. The soft opening will allow local residents to test the splash pad to see if any adjustments need to be made. There might be some times where we will need to close to park during this testing period.

Work on the harvest-themed splash pad began in February 2020 and will offer the community a recreational amenity complete with a soft water play surface, as well as shade sails, site furniture, connecting pathways, and a picnic area surrounded by soft landscaping.

Other features include:

Half of a giant strawberry with waterfall spray
Apple carousel with touch activators and sprayers
Two root vegetables
Two carrots (one spinning)
Barn gate with water wall
Ground-level pea pods with individual activator and sprayers
Ground sprayers
Hay bale (accessible water play wall) and ground river with water manipulation toys and hand pump

Accessibility means that people can enjoy safe water paly in a similar way and effort as someone that does not have a disability. It means that people are empowered, can be independent, and barrier-free fun for all.

The whole park is accessible, the apple carousel is wide enough for wheelchairs, all surfaces are designed to be slip-resistant, and braille is included in the signage.

Dr. Margaret Arkinstall’s fully accessible splash pad is phase one of a three-phased approach resulting in the entire park becoming fully accessible in the future. Features down the road could include an accessible playground, basketball court, and ice rink for Sledge Hockey.

By working together, sharing information, ideas and being engaged in our community we can achieve great things for Newmarket.

With Gratitude,

Kelly Broome
Councillor - Ward 6
Newmarket, Ontario