City Accessibility Projects

With the support of the City’s accessibility advisory committee, the accessibility initiatives accomplished or underway are listed below. Many improvements are ongoing and will be considered in the 2025 workplan.

Parksville Bay beach access mat (mobi-mat)
In partnership with Access Oceanside Association and with the support of the Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association and the Beach Club Resort, an accessible beach mat or mobi-mat will be installed seasonally on the Parksville Bay beach. In May, the mat may be accessed from the concrete ramp in front of the waterfront gazebo. The 100 foot-long mobi-mat makes beach access easier for people using wheelchairs, families with strollers and others to access the water. 

Waterfront walkway in Parksville Community Park
The first phase of the City’s waterfront walkway replacement project, an area about 375 square metres adjacent to the waterfront
gazebo, received new timber decking and curbing. As well, the two long curved benches were replaced. Subsequent phases
over the next three to four years will see replacement of the entire waterfront walkway. 

Transportation Master Plan
Accessibility survey results have been used to inform the update of the City’s new master plan.

Automatic door openers
Door openers for washroom facilities were installed in 2024 to washrooms at the Parksville Community Park and Parksville Civic and Technology Centre.

Audio visual improvements
Completed in 2024, the audio-visual equipment in Council chambers was updated with adaptive technology which includes enhanced sound and better monitors.

Accessible parking
An accessible parking area was added to the gravel lot adjacent to the new washroom and additional accessible parking spaces were prioritized at the City’s Canada Day celebrations in the Parksville Community Park.

Downtown sidewalk snow clearing
A budget of $10,000 was approved for 2025 and 2026 to support the City’s sidewalk snow clearing pilot project to increase the level of service and prioritize clearing of designated walkways in the downtown core and secondary clearing of sidewalks adjacent to City parks and facilities. This pilot project is proposed to improve and enhance accessibility for Parksville residents who need to navigate sidewalks in the downtown area. As well, improvements to sidewalk clearing include many key pedestrian letdowns and strategic transit stops. During prolonged snowfall events, all sidewalk clearing is dependent on the City being able to secure staff capacity to cover shifts and access to equipment is available.

Trails and pathway improvements
Improvements have been made to trail and walkways at Cedar Ridge and in the Parksville Wetlands and new pathway lighting was installed between washroom buildings in the Parksville Community Park.

City sidewalks
In 2024, 210 sidewalk inspections were completed along with 181 repairs throughout the City which included panel replacements, grinding and correcting tripping hazards.

Ongoing
Some of the initiatives to improve accessibility which will be considered in 2025 include such items as accessible voting options for elections, review of signage standards, enhanced accessible website, improvements to wheelchair ramps in downtown, electronic transactions, staff training to better serve people with different abilities, and improved signage throughout the City.