Part 1: Accessibility Projects, Trail Design, and Inclusive Planning Updates – 04/20/2026
- PECConnect
- Apr 20
- 4 min read
The Accessibility Advisory Committee met on April 20 with a full agenda and a clear focus on improving how residents and visitors experience the County. With no official chair in place at the start, Councillor Kate MacNaughton opened the meeting and guided the group through its first task, which was organizing leadership for the remainder of the term.
From there, the meeting moved forward as a working session that balanced internal committee business with updates on real projects happening across the County. The committee began by selecting new leadership. Sarah Moffatt was nominated and accepted the role of Chair, while Councillor Kate MacNaughton was appointed Vice Chair. Once that was settled, the group approved the agenda and previous minutes and formally welcomed new members. It was a quick reset that allowed the committee to move into more substantial discussions.
View the entire PEC Council meeting, or continue to speaker comments and councillor votes>
Walking Trail Project Focuses
One of the first major updates came from Lisa Sverson, who presented the design for the North Marysburgh Wilkinson Park Walking Trail. The trail, located behind the North Marysburgh Town Hall, is being built with accessibility as a priority rather than an afterthought.
The path will range from two to three metres wide, exceeding minimum AODA requirements and allowing people to move comfortably side by side, including those using mobility devices. The surface will be made of AODA-compliant crushed limestone, and accessible parking will be integrated into the design.
Committee members used the discussion to offer practical feedback. Questions were raised about adding shade, improving signage, and making sure the path remains safe and usable in different conditions. The exchange reflected how the committee helps refine projects before they are finalized.
Parks and Recreation Master Plan Sets Long-Term Direction
Sverson also introduced the finalized Parks and Recreation Master Plan, which has already been endorsed by Council.
This document acts as a guiding framework for how the County will plan and manage recreational spaces moving forward. While it does not outline every specific project, it includes a set of principles that staff will use when making decisions.
A key point highlighted during the meeting was that all new or updated recreational amenities must align with AODA standards. Accessibility is now built into the decision-making process rather than treated as a separate consideration. The committee’s role will continue as projects move forward, ensuring those principles are applied in practice.
DEI Strategy Moving Ahead with Future Audit Planned
The committee also received an update on the County’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Working Group, presented by staff member Tabitha from Human Resources.
The group has developed a three-year strategic plan and is preparing for an equity audit in 2026. The purpose of that audit will be to identify gaps and better understand where training and improvements are needed across staff, council, and committees.
Members discussed how this work connects to their own responsibilities, particularly around training and using appropriate language when engaging with the public.
Election Accessibility Plan Expands Voting Options
Another major item was the 2026 Municipal Election Accessibility Plan, presented by Municipal Clerk Catalina Blumenberg.
The plan outlines several ways the County is working to remove barriers to voting. Internet voting will continue, allowing residents to vote from home, while in-person locations will include accessible equipment and updated layouts.
New features will include accessible tabulators, mobile voting options where staff can assist voters at their vehicles, and continued improvements to voting locations based on accessibility audits. The goal is to ensure that all residents can participate in the election process with independence and dignity.
Planning for National Accessibility Week
Looking ahead, the committee reviewed a draft plan for National Accessibility Week, which runs from May 31 to June 6. A new staff member, Meagan from the Clerk’s Office, shared a proposed seven-day social media campaign that would highlight accessible services and spaces across the County.
The committee provided feedback on how to strengthen the campaign, including adding more real-world examples, improving accessibility of the posts themselves, and highlighting a wider range of community services.
The meeting also included updates on internal committee work. New members were added to the Accessibility Planning Working Group, and recent planning file reviews were acknowledged. There was also a brief discussion about continuing to apply an accessibility lens across municipal decisions, including procurement and policy development.
With only one scheduled meeting left in the term, members also began thinking about how to pass along their work and priorities to the next committee.
Key Takeaways
Accessibility is becoming a standard part of how the County plans projects, not something added later. That shift is visible in both the new walking trail and the broader Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
The municipality is also building longer-term systems to support inclusion. The DEI strategy and upcoming equity audit will shape future training, policies, and decision-making.
The committee continues to play a hands-on role. Through feedback, reviews, and discussions, members are helping ensure that everyday spaces and services are more usable for everyone across the County.
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.
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