Other Inventory Distinctions

Standards / Legislated Changes and their Impacts

1. PLAYGROUND STANDARDS -CAN/CSA-Z614-14

In 1990 the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) developed the National Standard of Canada Children’s Play Spaces and Equipment. The CSA standard has been revised several times to reflect changes to the public’s needs and the design and technical changes in the industry. The City of Windsor Parks Department adopted the CSA standard in 1990 for the installation, maintenance and inspection of children’s playgrounds. Updates and modifications of these standards to ensure safety for users over the years have resulted in increased cost and resources to ensure full compliance with the standard.

2. THE ACCESSIBILITY FOR ONTARIANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (AODA)

The AODA passed in 2005 impacts the development of children’s play spaces in terms of accessibility, public consultation and the built environment Part 4.1 Design of Public Spaces Standard (Accessibility Standards for the Built Environment) includes outdoor play spaces.

A publication from the Government of Ontario, A Guide to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation- Design of Public Spaces Standard has been attached to the report as Appendix G.

Starting in January of 2016 all newly constructed and redeveloped play spaces must comply with the standard. In anticipation of this new standard, the Parks Department has been proactive in the installation of new playgrounds that are accessible since 2007.

The AODA mandates that public consultation be carried out to insure that accessibility needs are considered in the design and construction of all public play spaces. Parks currently sends out notification to the neighbourhood and holds a public meeting to consult on the design of parks and/or playgrounds. In addition, Parks consults with the Windsor Accessibility Advisory Committee (WAAC) on a number of park projects and will continue to consult with WAAC on all future playground improvements as mandated by the AODA.

The design of play spaces must incorporate accessible features and a variety of sensory and inter active components for various abilities. The play spaces must have safety surfaces that are stable and have sufficient impact attenuation as well as a layout that allows users to move through, in and around the playground.

Standards for Playground Replacement

SAFETY SURFACING

The use of safety surfacing under and around play equipment is required for impact attenuation as per the CSA guidelines. The fall height from a particular piece of equipment dictates the depth or impact attenuation required. The parks department has used four types of safety surfacing over the years for impact attenuation in the playgrounds; sand, pea stone, engineered wood fibre