Agenda (Appointed) - Accessibility Advisory Committee - 20250409Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Agenda
Date:Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Time:7 p.m.
Location:Holland Room, Aurora Town Hall
Meetings are available to the public in person and via live stream on the Town’s YouTube channel.
To participate, please visit aurora.ca/participation.
Pages
1.Call to Order
2.Land Acknowledgement
3.Approval of the Agenda
4.Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
5.Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of February 12, 2025 1
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
February 12, 2025, be received for information.
1.
6.Delegations
7.Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Manager, Parks and Fleet; Re: 2025 Park Project
Updates
6
That the memorandum regarding 2025 Park Project Updates be
received; and
1.
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
General 2025 Park Project Updates be received and referred to
staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
2.
7.2 Round Table Discussion; Re: Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility
Plan 2022 to 2026
(Link to Multi-Year Accessibility Plan)
That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding
the Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2022 to 2026
be received and referred to staff for consideration and action as
appropriate.
1.
8.Informational Items
9.New Business
10.Adjournment
Town of Aurora
Accessibility Advisory Committee
Meeting Minutes
Date:
Time:
Location:
Wednesday, February 12, 2025
7 p.m.
Video Conference
Committee Members: Councillor Wendy Gaertner (Chair)
Lois Davies
Alison Hughes (Vice Chair)
John Lenchak
Elaine Martini
Jo-anne Spitzer
Marilyn Williams
Other Attendees: Phillip Rose, Manager, Cultural Services
Gregory Peri, Accessibility Advisor
Ishita Soneji, Deputy Town Clerk
_____________________________________________________________________
1. Call to Order
The Chair called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m.
The Members introduced themselves.
1.1 Appointment of Committee Vice Chair
Moved by John Lenchak
Seconded by Marilyn Williams
1. That Alison Hughes be appointed as Vice Chair of the Accessibility
Advisory Committee for a two-year term (2025-2026).
Carried
Page 1 of 9
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2025 2
2. Land Acknowledgement
The Committee acknowledged that the meeting took place on Anishinaabe lands,
the traditional and treaty territory of the Chippewas of Georgina Island,
recognizing the many other Nations whose presence here continues to this day,
the special relationship the Chippewas have with the lands and waters of this
territory, and that Aurora has shared responsibility for the stewardship of these
lands and waters. It was noted that Aurora is part of the treaty lands of the
Mississaugas and Chippewas, recognized through Treaty #13 and the Williams
Treaties of 1923.
3. Approval of the Agenda
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Elaine Martini
That the agenda as circulated by Legislative Services be approved.
Carried
4. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest and General Nature Thereof
There were no declarations of pecuniary interest under the Municipal Conflict of
Interest Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. M.50.
5. Receipt of the Minutes
5.1 Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of November 13, 2024
Moved by Alison Hughes
Seconded by John Lenchak
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee meeting minutes of
November 13, 2024, be received for information.
Carried
6. Delegations
None.
Page 2 of 9
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2025 3
7. Matters for Consideration
7.1 Memorandum from Manager, Cultural Services; Re: Public Art Strategy
Staff provided a brief overview of the memorandum regarding the ongoing
development of the Public Art Strategy and noted that consultation will be
held with the Committee for future public art projects as required.
The Committee had no comments or questions.
Moved by Alison Hughes
Seconded by Jo-anne Spitzer
1. That the memorandum regarding Public Art Strategy be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Public
Art Strategy be received and referred to staff for consideration and
further action as appropriate.
Carried
7.2 Memorandum from Accessibility Advisor; Re: Site Plan Application SP-
2024-09 (Submission #1) 28 Sunday Drive
Staff provided an overview of the site plan application for the subject
property including comments to be submitted to the Planner on behalf of
the Committee. The Committee and staff discussed various aspects of
the application and further suggestions were made regarding
consideration for (1) relocation of the barrier-free parking spots preferably
closer to the building, (2) installation of accessible washrooms on the
second floor, and (3) additional clearance space from the main entrances.
Moved by Jo-anne Spitzer
Seconded by Marilyn Williams
1. That the memorandum regarding Site Plan Application SP-2024-09
(Submission #1) 28 Sunday Drive be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding Site
Plan Application SP-2024-09 (Submission #1) be received and referred
to staff for consideration and further action as appropriate.
Carried
Page 3 of 9
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2025 4
7.3 Round Table Discussion; Re: Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
2022 to 2026
(Link to Multi-Year Accessibility Plan
Staff provided an update on the following matters:
National AccessAbility Week 2025 - availability of ParaSport Try-it
days and sensory programming during the week
Aurora Sport Plan Update - the plan was recommended at the
February 11, 2025 Committee of he Whole meeting to adopt staff
recommendations
Yonge Street Multi-use Path - an open house was conducted on
January 14, 2025 and various path options were presented to
residents
Aurora Town Parking Study - an introductory meeting was held to
review the current Town owned on and off-street parking use
Fleury Park - an open house was held on January 15, 2025 and
review of the park design and accessible features was presented to
the residents
Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex (S.A.R.C) Parking Study - an
introductory meeting was held to review the current S.A.R.C parking
lot use
AccessNow Trails and Playgrounds Assessments - assessments of
95% of Town trails has been completed; assessment of
playgrounds will be held throughout 2025-2026
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - training was
administered to all staff
Aurora Town Square - installation of listening device at the
customer service desk, purchasing wheelchair for the customer
service staff for public assistance, and changes in accessible
seating online booking process
The Committee and staff further discussed about the possibility of
improving accessibility along the Yonge Street corridor specifically on the
Page 4 of 9
Accessibility Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes
February 12, 2025 5
east side, and suggested that accessibility seating be marked when
possible at Town Square events.
Moved by Lois Davies
Seconded by Alison Hughes
1. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding the
Town of Aurora Multi-Year Accessibility Plan 2022 to 2026 be received
and referred to staff for consideration and action as appropriate.
Carried
8. Informational Items
None.
9. New Business
None.
10. Adjournment
Moved by Alison Hughes
Seconded by John Lenchak
That the meeting be adjourned at 8:46 p.m.
Carried
Page 5 of 9
100 John West Way
Aurora, Ontario
L4G 6J1
(905) 727-3123
aurora.ca
Town of Aurora
Memorandum
Operational Services
Re: 2025 Park Project Updates
To: Accessibility Advisory Committee
From: Matthew Volpintesta, Manager of Parks and Fleet
Date: April 9, 2025
Recommendation
1. That the memorandum regarding 2025 Park Project Updates be received; and
2. That the Accessibility Advisory Committee comments regarding General 2025 Park
Project Updates be received and referred to staff for consideration and further action
as appropriate.
Background
This memo provides a brief update on major capital projects in 2025, including both
new capital projects and continuation of projects from previous capital budgets. These
include, but are not limited to, playground improvements, major park upgrades, new
parks and sports fields. With accessibility at the forefront of park design, the Town is
committed to considering all options when designing barrier-free play spaces.
Analysis
Fleury Park – Funding Increase
Fleury Park renovations are currently in the design and development phase, with public
consultation wrapping up in March. During a public open house and through online
engagement, fulsome feedback was received including over 100 survey responses
which identified a strong preference for accessible playground features, as well as a
splashpad. As such, staff are preparing a report seeking direction from Council which
details design options and budgetary considerations. Comments received from this
committee in this regard, will be detailed in the future Council report. Construction is
tentatively planned to begin late 2025 into 2026.
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2025 Park Project Updates
April 9, 2025 Page 2 of 4
Evans Park
As part of the 2024 capital budget, designs for a new playground were completed in
2024, and are now being tendered out for contract. It is expected this work will begin
early spring and will be completed by end of June.
Lambert Willson Volleyball Court Expansion
The expansion of the volleyball courts at Lambert Willson Park are in the early stages of
re-design. The expansion will feature an additional two courts, with a small amenity
space including seating for players and spectators, as well as professional quality play
sand and new netting systems. It is expected the overall footprint will be marginally
expanded, with construction to commence in 2026 pending budget approval.
LED Light Upgrades
As part of a 5-year plan to upgrade recreational facility lighting, the Town’s LED Upgrade
report highlights priority targets for replacement. This year, the Town will focus on
Summit Park tennis facilities, and the bowling green at McMahon Park. This work will
aim to be completed before the play season begins pending contract awarding.
McMahon Park Bowling Green Improvements
The bowling green at McMahon Park will undergo improvements to the curbing and
bumper systems in 2025, including an upgrade to LED lighting to improve sight and
accessibility for playing. This work is planned to be completed before play season
begins; however, the lighting upgrades may possibly be delayed until later into the
season.
Court Improvements
Multi-use court improvements are scheduled to be completed this spring at Trent and
Edward Coltham Parks. This includes minor expansion and refurbishment upgrades to
the court surfacing, including new perimeter fencing, posts, and netting. Additionally, as
part of 2025 capital improvements, David English, Norm Weller, and Thomas Coates’
courts will see similar upgrades later this year.
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2025 Park Project Updates
April 9, 2025 Page 3 of 4
Town Park Splash Pad
As part of the 2024 planned improvements to Town Park, we will complete a
replacement of the splash pad in-ground sprinklers as well as repairs to the rubber
surfacing to include replacement of a new centrepiece bucket style water feature. This
work is currently being tendered and anticipated to be completed before the operational
season begins.
Tom’s Park
Tom’s Park will see a replacement of the play structure, and pavement of the park
pathway system. This work is queued and expected to be completed later this year.
Thelma Fielding Park
The newly adopted Thelma Fielding Park will officially open in spring 2025, featuring a
new playground, public amenity space and new turf field in partnership with St. Anne’s
School. An opening celebration is currently being planned for late spring.
Trails
Trail development continues in 2025, with more complex projects brought forward from
last year’s capital budget. These include Butternut Ridge, Mattamy Development phases
4 and 5, Degraaf Crescent, the development northwest of St. John’s Sideroad and Yonge
Street, Benjamin Pearson Parkette boardwalk, and the David Tomlinson Nature Reserve.
Design is currently underway for all projects, with construction planned through 2025
into 2026.
Sheppard’s Bush Artificial Turf
The new artificial turf field at Sheppard’s Bush is currently under construction and
planned to be completed by June of this year. The field is part of a continued
partnership with the Aurora Barbarians Rugby Club, and will feature lining for rugby, and
soccer.
Summit Park
Summit Park improvement works are continuing in 2025. Last year, a new playground
and fitness facility were installed. This year, refurbishments to the park pathway system
and multi-use court will be completed to provide better accessibility. The tennis facility
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2025 Park Project Updates
April 9, 2025 Page 4 of 4
will also see upgrades to LED lighting as part of the 5-year LED improvement plan. This
work is expected to begin late March and completed later this year.
Attachments
None.
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