Lat week I called Garry Short, a manager of planning, design and development section of Parks. I wanted to ask him few questions regarding our group project. This is my interview:
1) Are all parks accessible for everyone even those with physical disabilities?
At this time not all parks are accessible, however, new facilities and amenities are to be designed and constructed to incorporate the council approved City of Toronto Accessibility Design Guidelines
2) What kinds of methods are people using to navigate through parks? (signs, maps, etc..)
In new facilities, there are ranges of methods to navigate through parks. For many people in Toronto, the City provides an abundance of opportunities and experiences free of limitations imposed upon them by the built environment. For Torontonians with disabilities, however, the built environment imposes numerous obstacles that limit their ability to moving about freely and safely without concern. In June 2000, Toronto City Council adopted a motion to make the City fully accessible by the year 2008. They also came with policies such as:
Public Pedestrian routes should be designed to ensure the comfort and safety of all persons regardless of age or ability.
• All active routes required to accommodate persons using mobility aids, walkers, or persons accompanied by guide dogs, should be a minimum of 1500 mm wide; 1675 mm is preferred.
• All routes should be free of protruding obstacles, overhanging signs, branches
etc., in the walking area, to aid persons with visual limitations.
• The maximum allowable protrusion of objects into any pedestrian route from grade to a recommended height of 2030 mm is 100 mm.
• All accessible parking spaces should be marked with the "International Symbol of Accessibility", (e.g., with a paving sign and a post mounted sign).
• A comprehensive exterior signage and way-finding system is required at every major site or facility, to assist visitors with varying disabilities to locate appropriate parking accessible entrances.
• the street address and/or building/facility name should be clearly visible from the street or public laneway.
• Lettering size should be legible at typical viewing distances (e.g., from the road, approach route, parking area, etc.).
• Signage generally should be in bold ‘sans-serif’ lettering (e.g., Helvetica) on a highly contrasting background.
• Building addresses or identifying signage at street level, whether it is mounted in landscaped areas or on posts, should be high enough to be clearly visible even with snow piled nearby.
• Pedestrian, vehicular, and emergency routes should all be clearly identified.
• One-way routes should be clearly marked – both with paving markings and by post-mounted signs.
• The "International Symbol of Accessibility" should be used to identify special amenities, such as accessible parking, accessible entrances, or accessible washrooms.
Garry short also send us The Accessibility Design Guidelines that can be used by all sectors to conduct accessibility audits and to plan developments as we work towards making Toronto a "barrier free" community.
• All directional signage and locational signage should be mounted at eye-level, between 1370 mm and 1525 mm high, for quick and easy identification by persons who have visual limitations.
• Essential print information should generally be printed in large text on a highly contrasting background color.
3) Do all parks follow the same way finding design?
Not yet, however a Parks Standards initiative is in its early stages and is to standardize service amenities.