Photo by B. Shakyaver
In last Monday’s (November 20) South Huron Council meeting, discussions around the Dashwood Playground Replacement Project revealed continued financial and accessibility challenges.
Investment in the shared project was initially budgeted at $63,000 in 2022, and has faced complications due to increased equipment costs and accessibility concerns. Councilor Marissa Vaughan explained that the original budget, split between Bluewater and South Huron, is now insufficient due to the rising costs of playground equipment.
Bluewater committed an additional $10,000 – which South Huron matched.
Councilor Ted Oke questioned the accessibility of the playground, to which Councilor Wendy McCleod-Haggit emphasized the importance of inclusivity. Vaughan clarified that the primary accessibility challenge lies in reaching the playground rather than the equipment itself.
The current bridge over a creek is not accessible, and alternatives, like a prefabricated culvert, are financially burdensome, exceeding $100,000.
Despite acknowledging the need for inclusive playgrounds, Vaughan emphasized the urgency of addressing the safety concerns posed by the deteriorating equipment. Fire Chief Jeremy Becker assured that the selected equipment would be accessible, but the challenge lies in solving the separate issue of location accessibility.
Written by: B. Shakyaver
