The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the operation of Innisfil’s parks, and will for some time to come.
There may be long-term changes to the ways in which public spaces are used and managed, reflecting a “new normal.”
As a result, the Innisfil Beach Park Ad Hoc Committee has decided to suspend all meetings until the fall – but not before making a recommendation that the town consider a pilot project for a ‘Beach Wheelchair’ at the park.
Last summer, town staff introduced mobi-matts at some beaches at Innisfil Beach Park. The rubber matts made it possible for wheelchairs to roll across the sand to access the water of Lake Simcoe.
Now the committee has asked staff to look into the risks and feasibility of an ‘Innisfil Beach Park Resident-only Beach Wheelchair” program, and consider purchasing one beach wheelchair with funds from the Ad Hoc Committee’s approved budget.
Other programs, such as food vendors in the park, and the ‘Dog Days of Summer’ project, that would have permitted dogs to use certain beaches and road ends at specific times of day, have temporarily been put on hold, as the pandemic plays out - but other projects are being implemented by staff.
At the moment, parks and public boat launches have reopened, for residents - and bike trails, tennis courts and sports fields can be used, although team sports are still banned, and users are asked to practice physical distancing.
Operations Manager Jason Inwood noted that further recommendations will be coming to council “in the coming months as resources become available and our community reunites with each other and our public spaces, subject to COVID-19 response requirements.”
