The construction of Margaretta Park is complete! Located at 1110 Cole Street in the Sleeping Lion development, this park features our first enhanced wheelchair accessible playground.
Park amenities
Margaretta Park includes:
- Fully accessible playground
- Splash pad
- Green space for passive play
- Parking
- Multi-use trails
- Washroom facility
- Shade structures, picnic tables, and waste bins
- Naturalized plantings and trees
The story behind Margaretta Park
Town staff work with the Innisfil Accessibility Advisory Committee (IAAC) to reduce barriers and ensure public spaces are accessible. Since 2016, all playgrounds that have been replaced include play equipment for children with different abilities and exceed the minimum requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). However, additional equipment is available for people using a wheelchair. Budget and site constraints can make it difficult to include these amenities at every park, so the committee decided to focus on improving wheelchair accessibility at one big "Champion Park".
Site selection
In consultation with staff, the IAAC chose the largest park within the Sleeping Lion development to be the site of their "Champion Park". Located north of 6th Line and east of 20th Sideroad, the Sleeping Lion development is one of the largest new developments in Innisfil and is adjacent to the future Orbit development. Margaretta Park is 3.5 hectares, situated in the middle of the subdivision, and is easily accessed from the four roads that surround the park.
The IAAC wanted the location to be central, where it could be accessed by most of the Innisfil population.
Park dedication
As the Town's first enhanced all-inclusive park promoting accessibility, Margaretta Park was named in recognition of Margaretta Papp-Belayneh, former Chair of the IAAC. Margaretta’s unwavering dedication to accessibility and inclusion continues to shape our community.