Part 2: Leadership Appointments, Trail Design Feedback, and Election Accessibility Plan – 04/20/2026

This coverage focused more clearly on who contributed to each decision and how those discussions shaped the outcomes. The tone stayed collaborative throughout, with most motions passing unanimously, but the details of who raised what concerns help explain how these decisions came together.

The meeting opened with nominations for committee leadership. Ben Thornton nominated Sarah Moffatt to continue as Chair, and Moffatt accepted the role. No other nominations were brought forward, and the committee supported the decision unanimously. For Vice Chair, the conversation turned back toward Councillor Kate MacNaughton, who was encouraged by the group to step into the role. With no competing nominations, the committee again voted in favour.

© PEC Council (YouTube)

View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.

Walking Trail Project Discussion

When the North Marysburgh Wilkinson Park Walking Trail was presented, the conversation became more detailed. Lisa Sverson outlined the design and confirmed that the trail meets or exceeds AODA standards.

From there, committee members began asking questions. Ben Thornton focused on the width of the trail and asked why certain sections were wider than others. Sverson explained that the design aimed to allow people to walk side by side, including those using mobility devices, which is why wider sections were preferred where possible.

Thornton also raised concerns about shade, noting that some areas of the path could be exposed to direct sunlight. Sverson acknowledged the feedback and said it could be reviewed as the project moves forward.

Councillor Roy Pennell brought up safety, suggesting signage to address potential hazards like broken glass along the path. Sverson confirmed that signage could be considered as part of the final design.

Chris O’Brien asked about accessible parking and whether the number of spaces would meet requirements. Sverson responded that two accessible spaces were planned and that staff would double check compliance based on capacity.

In the end, the committee voted to receive the update, with general agreement that the project was moving in the right direction while still leaving room for refinements.

Parks and Recreation Master Plan

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan discussion was more about clarification. Lisa Sverson confirmed that the plan had been endorsed by Council and would guide future recreational planning.

© Prince Edward County

Councillor Roy Pennell asked about ongoing concerns related to the Roblin Lake project, particularly around traffic flow and earlier public feedback. Sverson explained that those issues were still being worked through with multiple departments and that updates would come as the project progressed.

Pennell also raised a concern about baseball activity and whether protective features like netting could be included. Sverson noted that pricing for those options was being explored.

Ben Thornton and Councillor Kate MacNaughton focused more on how accessibility is embedded in the plan itself, emphasizing the importance of aligning it with broader accessibility goals across the County. The motion to receive the plan update passed without opposition.

DEI Working Group Update

During the update from the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group, Tabitha explained that a three-year strategic plan is in place and that an equity audit is planned for 2026.

Ben Thornton asked why the full document had not yet been shared with the committee, noting that members wanted to review it in detail. Tabitha agreed to circulate the document after the meeting.

Councillor Roy Pennell questioned whether Council had fully reviewed the plan, suggesting there may still be time to incorporate additional accessibility considerations. The update was received by the committee, with an understanding that more detailed review would follow once documents are shared.

Election Accessibility Plan

The 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan led to one of the more technical discussions of the meeting. Catalina Blumenberg presented the plan and outlined improvements to accessible voting options.

Chris O’Brien pointed out inconsistencies in the document related to accessibility standards, specifically around web compliance levels. Blumenberg acknowledged the issue and confirmed it would be corrected.

O’Brien also asked about how accessibility audits of voting locations are conducted and whether the results are shared publicly. Blumenberg explained that audits are completed internally but expressed openness to including them as part of the public plan.

Councillor Roy Pennell raised a broader concern about physical accessibility at Shire Hall, noting that barriers could discourage future candidates. Blumenberg acknowledged the issue and noted that improvements would require funding and long-term planning.

The committee voted to endorse the accessibility plan, with general agreement that it builds on past elections.

What This Means for Locals

For residents, the outcomes of this meeting are less about big headline decisions and more about steady progress. Projects like the North Marysburgh walking trail are being shaped with real input from accessibility advocates before they are finalized, which means fewer barriers once they are built.

The Parks and Recreation Master Plan signals that accessibility will be part of future park and trail decisions, not something added later. At the same time, improvements to the municipal election process show that voting is becoming more flexible and inclusive, whether that means voting from home or from a vehicle.

There are still gaps, especially around older buildings like Shire Hall and around how accessibility information is shared publicly. But the discussions in this meeting show that those gaps are being raised openly and worked through step by step.

Overall, the direction is clear. Accessibility is becoming part of how the County plans, builds, and delivers services, and that shift will continue to shape everyday experiences for people living in and visiting the County.

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Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 01:39:49. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.