Two beaches in Fredericton will become more accessible for people living with disabilities.
In 2022, Fredericton City Council accepted a generous donation of $50,000 from the Fredericton North Rotary Club to install docks with accessible features. The docks will be installed at Killarney Lake Park and Morell Park in celebration of the Club’s Centennial year in 2023. These new docks will allow visitors with disabilities better access to the river and will make getting in and out of a watercraft much easier.
“Everyone deserves the chance to experience the beautiful waterways in our capital region,” said Deputy Mayor Jocelyn Pike. “Fredericton City Council is incredibly grateful for this meaningful donation by the Fredericton North Rotary Club and continues with its dedication to create a more inclusive city for all.”
The dock at Killarney Lake includes a 12-foot platform to allow guests to come on and off the ramp. The dock at Morell Park includes a transfer-bar so people using a wheelchair can hold the bar to get in and out of a watercraft. Both docks are configurable, meaning they can be rearranged to suit a person’s needs.
“These new accessible docks will open our waterways to everyone,” said Bonny Hoyt-Hallett, a member of the Fredericton North Rotary Club. “We are incredibly pleased the Rotary Club could contribute to the greater community in this way and we hope these new docks will be well-used for many years to come.”
The Fredericton North Rotary Club is one of four Rotary Clubs in the Fredericton area. The Rotary Clubs each have their own legacy projects in celebration of their 100th year. Rotary is a humanitarian organization with clubs around the world and consists of about 1.4 million members. These clubs are dedicated to community service, while also promoting goodwill, peace, and lasting change.
Additional accessible docks will be installed at the Fredericton River Centre and Carleton Park later this summer.