New Picnic Tables Make Public Spaces More Inclusive & Accessible

Thursday, June 4, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – Residents may notice a new addition in Grand Parade that will make it easier for even more visitors to comfortably enjoy this beautiful public space.

As part of a small pilot project initiated by Transportation & Public Works, the municipality has built an accessible picnic table, one of three planned for downtown Halifax and Dartmouth.

The bright blue table, constructed by staff in Road Operations, arrived this week. It is located by the flag pole at the north end of Grand Parade, near one of the paved pathways. The added feature complements the existing colourful picnic tables and Adirondack chairs scattered across the grounds outside City Hall.

Municipal government is committed to encouraging healthy communities across the Halifax region. That means building safe, liveable and accessible neighbourhoods where everyone can participate fully in life.

Accessible picnic tables come in a variety of sizes and designs. The municipality opted for an adaptation of the standard picnic table which features an extended table surface that allows a wheelchair or other accessibility device to tuck underneath and sit alongside the traditional bench seating.

The municipality plans to build two more accessible picnic tables as part of the pilot project — one for Victoria Park on Spring Garden Road and one in downtown Dartmouth at Alderney Landing.

For more information on accessibility in the Halifax region, please visit http://www.halifax.ca/accessibility/.

Source: Release