{"id":1358,"date":"2025-07-07T13:29:56","date_gmt":"2025-07-07T17:29:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guide.cophan.org\/?post_type=fiche&p=1358"},"modified":"2025-07-07T16:01:30","modified_gmt":"2025-07-07T20:01:30","slug":"parks-and-green-spaces","status":"publish","type":"fiche","link":"https:\/\/guide.cophan.org\/en\/thematic-fact-sheets\/parks-and-green-spaces\/","title":{"rendered":"Parks and green spaces"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n\r\n
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What is an inclusive park and green space?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Inclusive parks and green spaces are places designed to be accessible and welcoming to all people, regardless of age, physical abilities, cultural background or socio-economic status. These spaces can include several adapted parking spaces, easy-to-access walking trails, outdoor playgrounds for children and adults, accessible water games for cooling off, and street furniture to take a break and enjoy nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Having access to a park contributes significantly to the well-being of the population. Living close to these spaces promotes physical activity, social interaction and stress reduction, leading to a healthier and more balanced life. In addition to their positive effects on health and well-being, parks and green spaces also have a positive impact on the environment. These spaces promote equality, inclusiveness and community well-being by providing safe, accessible and attractive environments for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They must be designed in a way that promotes inclusion in all its forms, whatever the needs or circumstances of users. These needs may relate to motor, physical, sensory, cognitive and\/or socio-emotional aspects, both for users and staff. Park accessibility can take different forms for each individual due to their specific needs. It is therefore essential to offer a variety of facilities and not just a single solution to address accessibility issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By creating an inclusive environment, every location and activity should be organized in a way that maximizes the positive experience for all, without exception. Above all, park facilities and policies must ensure the safety, respect and dignity of all persons visiting the park.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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Overview of the situation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While parks and green spaces are popular, many persons with disabilities, along with their companions, still face barriers that prevent them from taking full advantage of these environments. Canada has fallen behind other countries, such as the United States, on park accessibility. The lack of diversity and age of some facilities pose accessibility challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, one of the main accessibility challenges for parks is the lack of information available prior to visiting. Despite the growing presence of specialized equipment and functional devices in many areas, information is not always communicated adequately or in sufficient detail to allow visitors to determine whether the facilities meet their needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to playgrounds, schools and municipalities will need to adapt in the coming years to provide more accessible spaces. Many of these spaces are now outdated and present significant accessibility issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Finally, it is important to highlight the significance of national parks for many Indigenous communities. The development of these sites must always take place in a spirit of recognition and collaboration.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n

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Standards and obligations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Improvements are needed to ensure accessibility of these spaces beyond just the physical barriers. While many standards focus primarily on the built environment of spaces, it is essential to go beyond these criteria to include a greater diversity of people. Visual, auditory and cognitive impairments as well as learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, ADHD, etc.) should also be considered when developing these spaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n

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\r\n At the federal level:<\/a>\r\n <\/h3>\r\n\r\n
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