Submissions

To: Hamilton City Council
Date: November 2024

Purpose

The submission’s primary purpose is to address and advocate for improved accessibility at Gower, Cullimore, and Te Toetoe Reserve Playgrounds. DPA aims to ensure that these play spaces are equitably accessible for disabled people, including children, parents, and grandparents, and to promote the adoption of inclusive design principles and maintenance practices that benefit everyone.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA consistently advocates for enhanced playground accessibility nationwide to ensure that disabled people, including children and their families, can equitably access these spaces alongside non-disabled individuals. DPA appreciates that the consultation document includes questions on inclusion and accessibility for disabled people within these spaces.

The submission highlights specific accessibility issues identified at Gower Park through feedback from a wheelchair-using member. DPA recommends that these identified accessibility issues at Gower Park are addressed directly through consultation with disabled people.

DPA advocates for the inclusion of diverse play spaces that cater to different interests and ages, suggesting that accessible, inclusive play equipment from New Zealand-based suppliers can enable disabled people (both adults and children) to enjoy activities such as climbing, swinging, sliding, jumping, spinning, rocking, and creative/natural play. This ensures that playgrounds can be used by both disabled and non-disabled children.

Furthermore, DPA emphasizes the importance of basic amenities and safety. They recommend ensuring sufficient rubbish/recycling bins, seating at varying heights (to accommodate all users), and wheelchair/mobility device accessible seating. Providing sufficient shade for everyone is also highlighted as crucial.

DPA stresses the importance of ongoing maintenance for all parks and playgrounds, particularly managing grasses, vegetation, and hedges to enable easy accessibility for both disabled and non-disabled people, and avoiding obstacles like mud or high grass for wheelchair users.

Key Recommendation/Finding:

DPA recommends that the accessibility issues identified at Gower Park are addressed through consultation with disabled people.

Supporting Statement 1:

"This member reflected that there was only one mobility park and a narrow accessible point of entry to the grounds at the club room building."

Supporting Statement 2:

"The entry point also enables access to the playground, but accessibility then deteriorates to the point where the path is lumpy and narrow while the alternative paved access from the street has a bollard right in the centre which maybe navigable for a mobility scooter user but not a wheelchair user."