A Pitt Meadows park will be made more accessible thanks to a grant from the province.
City hall has received $25,000 through the Local Community Accessibility Grant Program, which is administered by the Social Planning and Research Council of B.C. (SPARC BC), with funding from the B.C. government.
The grant will support accessibility improvements at Lions Fun Park, including construction of an accessible ramp connecting the Harris Road sidewalk to the upgraded park, and widening pathways to five feet, exceeding accessibility standards.
The absence of an entry ramp and the narrow pathways had limited access for people using wheelchairs, walkers or other mobility devices. The upgrades will remove these barriers and create equitable access to one of Pitt Meadows’ most popular playgrounds. Located at 11840 Harris Rd., Lions Fun Park is widely used by the community, including local daycares, and is situated near Pitt Meadows Elementary. The park will soon serve as one of the nearest playgrounds to the Heron’s Nest Non-Market Housing and Child Care Project, making inclusive design especially important as the neighbourhood grows.
“This grant gives us the opportunity to make a beloved community park more accessible and welcoming to residents and visitors,” said Mayor Nicole MacDonald. “By enhancing accessibility at Lions Fun Park, we are helping more children, families and caregivers with diverse abilities enjoy play and recreation together in a safe and inclusive space.”
The initiative reflects community input received during the development of the city’s accessibility plan, and key priorities identified in the Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan.
Once the park improvements are complete and open to the public, the city will be seeking community feedback on the new accessible features. This input will be shared with the Community Support and Accessibility Committee, the Parks team, and other departments to help guide future planning and support ongoing progress in accessibility.
“This work, made possible by SPARC BC funding, is an important step toward creating more inclusive public spaces in Pitt Meadows,” said city CAO Mark Roberts. “The accessible ramp and widened pathways at Lions Fun Park will reduce barriers for residents and visitors with mobility challenges and set a positive example for future park and facility improvements.”
The Lions Fun Park revitalization project is underway and will include a variety of inclusive features, such as an accessible playground structure, universal carousel, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) board, nest swing and sensory-rich play elements. These updates are designed to create a more safe, fun and inclusive environment that encourages play and recreation for the whole community.