Rebuilding the beaches at Sam Smith Park - Disability Impact 2025

The park fencing has gone up as of the end of 2024, and we are anticipating heavy construction vehicles over the first 3 to 4 months of 2025. This has already been delayed by 8 months.

The vehicles will likely ruin the eastern pea gravel path going into SSP. This, combined with the soft and muddy ground resulting from the winter freeze/thaw cycle, will likely disrupt the spring return of wheelchair and elderly folks into the park.

Hopefully the work will be well executed and completed in a timely fashion over the next 2-3 years, unlike the endless construction at Prince of Wales park, nearby at the end of Third St.

Time will tell....

The Footbridge over the Creek is now wheelchair semi-friendly again!

One of the main issues that remained, following all the recent improvements identified by DASSP, was the fact that the Creek footbridge, between the narrow path into the park from the schools and the playing Oval, had become unfriendly for those using wheelchairs.

Over time, the soil on either side had fallen away from the cement, like the issue previously fixed at the Pavillion.

The good news is that the problem has successfully been remediated, and it is now safe for those in power chairs.  

The bad news is that for those in manual chairs, the steep slope on the east side of the footbridge requires an extension of the handrails on either side, or a correction on the degree of incline into/from the Oval.

We are following up on that issue and hope to have it remediated in a timely fashion.

The Pavillion is finally Wheelchair and Senior friendly!

After almost 2 years of effort by DASSP, the Pavillion is once again Wheelchair and Seniors friendly!

Over time, the earth around the concrete base had settled to the point where it had become very dangerous (and almost impossible) to independently enter or leave the Pavillion. During sudden inclement weather and rainstorms, our group was unable to seek refuge in a safe and easy way. 

Now the Pavillion is once again inclusive for all, including families with strollers or prams!

Many thanks to Toronto Parks, Councillor Grimes, Mayor Tory and 311 staff, for all their efforts on this important remediation!

Lakeshore Lodge residents enjoy the fully accessible SSP Skating Trail in the summertime !

One of the most wonderful and unexpected uses of the SSP Skating Trail, is the pleasure it brings to mobility impaired residents of nearby Lakeshore Lodge. 

On summer mornings or evenings you may spot an elderly resident or two, along with their companion moving slowly along the winding path, listening to the song birds or enjoying the foliage and wildflowers which many volunteers from FOSS and CCFEW planted a number of years ago. 

The path has a ramp, and also offers access to the NW entry point of Sam Smith Park past the Swallow Field. 

Efforts to make the Pavilion accessible - Toronto Parks AODA / Chris Clarke and Helen Sousa

DASSP has received a reply from Jorge Ture, of Toronto Parks, regarding the modifications required to make the covered Pavilion accessible for wheelchairs, under AODA guidelines.

Jorge has shared our concerns with Chris Clarke and Helen Sousa, representing Senior Management of Toronto Parks, and will advise.

DASSP will be following up in a few weeks to solicit an update on this important issue, especially as the hot, rainy summer weather is upon us, and many para/quadriplegics are unable to sweat due to their injury or health.

Making the SSP Pavilion accessible - Toronto Parks

One of the issues DASSP has identified requiring remediation, is the lack of accessibility to the Pavilion opposite the playing Oval. 

Disabled folk would like to be able to rely on the Pavilion as a refuge during rainstorms, and of course be able to utilize it for picnics or as a meeting place once the pandemic has abated.  

A pea gravel path to the Pavilion's new ramp, is also required.

We have contacted Toronto Parks (Jorge Ture) and will be following up on this important issue, so that all Disabled, Seniors and residents of nearby Lakeshore Lodge Care Home may enjoy the structure independently.

Photos by Vesty

The Observation Deck is now safe for Disabled again !

Saturday, after quite a few months of waiting, the Observation Deck at the southwest end of the Pond was finally re-opened.

The original Deck modifications from early 2019 had been unsuitable for the Disabled, as the worn out original wooden decking had been replaced with a metal grating, with gaps too wide, causing wheelchair front wheels to become stuck, and cane tips to actually go through the grate for slow walkers.

The new metal grating has a narrower gauge, and is much safer for all members of our Disabled Community, and parents with strollers !

Many thanks to Jorge Ture (Toronto Parks), and Janette Harvey (City of Toronto Forestry) for making the remediation!