Public Invited to Report Accessibility Issues on County Road 2 Pathway

The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee is encouraging the public to help identify obstacles that prevent those of all abilities from using the multi-use pathway and paved shoulders along County Road 2 in Lakeshore.

The County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS) corridor along the road from East Pike Creek to the roundabout at County Road 22 is the focus of Phase 3 of WE Check the Trails, a project launched by the committee three years ago. Phase 3 is being launched during National AccessAbility Week (May 26 to June 1) in keeping with the theme of accessibility and inclusion for all.

“Pedestrians, cyclists and users of other forms of active transportation enjoy visiting and travelling through this busy area along County Road 2. It is important that everyone has equal access,” said Dennis Sanson, chair of the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee. “We’re inviting users to imagine experiencing this route as someone who has limited mobility, is visually impaired, or has other physical or mental health challenges. This is important because accessibility is a big issue for a significant segment of our population.”

As of 2022, 27 per cent of Canadians 15 years and older had one or more disabilities that limited their daily activities, according to Statistics Canada.

Users of the County Road 2 active transportation corridor can use the WE Check the Trails online form to rate it and report accessibility issues to the committee. The form includes maps and a button for geo-location, so users can pinpoint where they are on a pathway or trail.

The online form can also be used to report accessibility issues and rate Essex Region Conservation Authority greenway trails and the CWATS cycle track along County Road 20 in Leamington and Kingsville. The trails and cycle track were added in Phase 1 and Phase 2 of WE Check the Trails.

Examples of questions trail and pathway users can address when they are completing the WE Check the Trails form are:

  • Is the trail or path wide enough for someone using a mobility aid?
  • Are there any physical barriers on the trail or path?
  • Are there potholes or crevices where someone could fall or get stuck?
  • Are there railings where the edge of the trail or path drops off?
  • Are there shaded areas to get out of the sun?
  • Are there places to rest?
  • Are there accessible washrooms nearby?
  • Is the signage clear and easy to understand?

In response to feedback about the need for more rest stops on the greenway trails, the Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee purchased three commemorative benches. One is on the Cypher Systems Group Greenway in McGregor west of Walker Road. Another is at Salder’s Pond Park in Essex between Highway 3 and the parking lot, and the third is at the Chrysler Canada Greenway entrance along County Road 15 in Essex.

 

The Essex County Accessibility Advisory Committee bench in Sadler's Pond Park in Essex.

 

As well, the committee has shared the feedback it received with the County of Essex Infrastructure and Planning Services staff, and the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

WE Check the Trails was created to help the committee learn who is using Essex County trails and other active transportation corridors, as well as determine what can be done to make them more accessible.