Building an Inclusive Playground for All on Coney Island

The City is excited to provide an update on the Coney Island – Kenora Rotary Club Playground, to be built this summer.

Going beyond accessibility, the project aims for true inclusivity so children and families of all abilities can enjoy outdoor play. Inclusive design recognizes that not all children with disabilities have mobility challenges. To be inclusive, the new playground design includes diverse sensory play, tactile elements, sound features, and calming zones to engage and include children with vision, hearing, dexterity, developmental, and neurodiversity needs.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), and the Kenora Rotary Club.

“The Rotary Club of Kenora is proud to partner on this outstanding project. This new inclusive playground will provide a welcoming space where children from our community and visitors alike can play, connect, and build friendships, both new and old,” shares Deb LeMaistre, Special Projects Chair at the Rotary Club of Kenora, “Rotary in Kenora remains committed to enhancing the quality of life for everyone who lives in and visits our region. The Rotary Playground on Coney Island is another meaningful step in creating accessible, joyful spaces for children to enjoy.”

The new Coney Island – Kenora Rotary Club Playground balances high-energy, challenging play with accessible routes, calm zones, and gentle, inclusive interactions so that every child can participate in meaningful ways.

Key features of the new playground include:

• A green rubber tile surface for accessibility and durability.
• A revitalized walkway from the boardwalk to the playground, enabling easy access for mobility devices and eliminating the need to navigate through grass or sand.
• Calm zones with sensory-driven play elements, a shaded area, quiet play, and a kid-friendly picnic tabletop.
• Three stainless steel slides, including a 6-foot Gang Slide that is wide for caregiver assistance and a 12-foot Steel Triple Rail Wave slide to support parallel play. Stainless steel was chosen to withstand rough play and extreme weather conditions, as well as prevents damage to cochlear implants worn by hearing-impaired children.
• Two wheelchair-accessible ramps with rails.
• An inclusive swing set with multiple seating options, including a disc seat for versatile positioning, traditional belt and toddler seats, and a duet parent/child swing seat for shared play.
• Accessible stairs and shorter deck step rises to promote easier ascent for children with limited mobility.
• Active play features to satisfy high-energy and sensory-seeking needs, such as vine climbs, rope bridges, stepping pods, and monkey bars.

The City is dedicated to accessibility and, in line with Canada’s Accessible Play Guideline, the project initially required 10 accessible elevated components and 7 accessible ground-level components. The new playground goes beyond that, with 13 accessible elevated components and 10 accessible ground-level components.

The Coney Island – Kenora Rotary Club Playground embodies the City’s commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and community partnership. By blending high-energy, sensory-rich play with thoughtful inclusive design, the project ensures that every child and family can enjoy the playground for years to come.