Inclusive design provides a genuinely integrated and welcoming experience for all park users.

This project will serve the needs of children with disabilities and able-bodied children whose parents have disabilities, as well as adult and elderly residents of varying abilities.

The new park design accommodates the needs of individuals with mobility/agility impairments, sensory impairments, co-ordination impairments, strength/endurance impairments and cognitive impairments, permanent or temporary. Census Canada indicates that there are more than 16,000 children and adults with such disabilities in Richmond Hill.

Making Crosby Park available for truly inclusive recreation will make it an important asset for the whole community. I am a strong believer in the importance of recreation for both able-bodied people and people with disabilities. I often go out and 'wheel about' in my manual wheelchair for recreational exercise and am convinced that such activity, or just going to the Park to enjoy the greenery, can have many physical, psychological, emotional and therapeutic benefits.

Kerry M. Singh, 39, Richmond Hill resident

The Park’s inclusive design will ensure a genuinely integrated and welcoming experience for all park users, with its sensory-rich garden areas, walkways and trails, water features and social gathering places. The design interprets diverse landscape types - forests, meadows, dells, hollows, valleys and glades; brooks and ponds, orchards and fields - to create a stimulating outdoor recreation environment.

There are so many ways you can help make this vision come true.

• Make a tax-deductible personal donation.

Simply make a cheque out to Richmond Hill Mobility Accessibility Foundation, marked "for Crosby Park project":

Richmond Hill Mobility Accessibility Foundation
120 Newkirk Road, Unit 2
Richmond Hill, ON
L4C 9S7

• Sponsor the special equipment and design elements.

My 9-year-old son, like most autistic children, has trouble processing sights and sounds and interacting socially in the same way as others. Our family is excited that Crosby Park project will allow all children of special needs to explore their own curiosities in a comforting, safe and relaxed setting. It will allow them to be just like any another child playing in a park.

Ted Leider, Richmond Hill parent

Innovative Play Areas Include:

• Multiple water play options - the Rain Wall, Misty Bog, Frog Pond and Wave Dock
• Waterproof loaner wheelchairs
• Easy access to Centennial Pool, with accessible change rooms
• Safe, stimulating, accessible tree house
• Swings for all abilities
• Tot, junior and senior play courts
• Surfaces for basketball or ball hockey and wheelchair skill and strength training
• ‘King of the castle’ viewpoints
• Slide hill

I’m a member of a hiking club and will enjoy the Park’s new trails and pathways. But, since my wife and I are very gregarious, we’re really looking forward to it as a place to sit down and talk with people. We also think this new park is a beautiful way to include those in our community who may not be able to access and get as much benefit from other facilities. It will create a place for everyone to communicate.

Cecil Culver, 72, Crosby Park neighbour

Featuring:

• Shady groves of trees, naturalized meadows and sunny open areas
• Dry creek valley
• Steps, slopes and ramps to ensure ease of use
• Interesting textures for sensory stimulation
• Interpretive landscape / viewing stations

Featuring:

• Plantings to attract butterflies, birds, frogs and small animals for thrilling sights and sounds
• Viewing gardens filled with colour, scent, and texture
• Gathering spots and places to sit quietly
• A peaceful orchard walk
• Accessible slo-pitch and soccer spectator areas set in a beautiful landscape

• Accessible parking areas close to new amenities
• Accessible bus parking for groups

Richmond Hill Mobility Accessibility Foundation is the lead donor for the Crosby Park redevelopment project and is spearheading the community fundraising effort. Here are some of the organizations that have joined us so far: