Kingsville, Ontario, boasts a large population of seniors, many of whom have retired here from communities with better active transportation networks and stronger accessibility standards under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
Woodycrest Neighborhood, with its higher-than-average senior residents, should prioritize walkability for health, longevity, and quality of life. Walking reduces stress, promotes physical activity, and fosters community connections—benefits that drew many from stressful, overcrowded cities.
However, AODA and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) B651 compliance are crucial to ensure safe, inclusive spaces for all, including those with mobility, visual, or age-related challenges. Non-compliance creates barriers, increases injury risks, and undermines the town’s welcoming appeal. Our July 19th walkability audit of Woodycrest highlights several issues, underscoring the need for improvements.
Inconsistent Tactile Walking Surface Indicators
The audit revealed inconsistent tactile walking surface indicators (TWSIs) at curb ramps, essential for guiding visually impaired pedestrians. AODA and CSA B651 standards mandate truncated domes or bars with specific dimensions, slip resistance, and high tonal contrast. Yet, some ramps featured compliant tactile plates, others relied on non-durable stamped concrete ridges, and many lacked TWSIs entirely. In numerous cases, stamped concrete domes had worn down or were overgrown with vegetation, further reducing detectability.
These shortcomings violate standards, hinder safe navigation, and pose risks for those with visual impairments. These ramps should be retrofitted with durable, compliant tactile plates (pictured above) to enhance accessibility and inclusivity.
Narrow and Overgrown Sidewalks
Several sidewalks fell below the AODA and CSA B651-required 1.5-meter (5-foot) minimum width, with some narrowing to under 4 feet due to vegetation overgrowth. These substandard widths and encroaching plants create barriers for wheelchair users and visually impaired pedestrians, violating accessibility guidelines and heightening tripping hazards (many seniors shuffle when they walk).
To boost safety and inclusivity, the Town should prioritize regular maintenance to clear vegetation, widen paths where feasible, or install passing spaces every 30 meters as per CSA B651.
Faded or Missing Crosswalk Lines
A few intersections lacked visible crosswalk lines, with markings either absent or faded to near invisibility. This reduces safety for all pedestrians, particularly those with low vision, by obscuring safe crossing points.
Confusing Intersection and Traffic Concerns
The Woodycrest and Peachwood intersection exemplifies confusion: a sudden ramp leads nowhere, potentially exposing impaired individuals to oncoming traffic. Without crosswalk indicators or TWSIs, pedestrians must guess where to cross, sometimes toward sidewalk-less areas.
During documentation, a vehicle rolled through without stopping, highlighting aggressive driving trends. These issues compound risks in a neighborhood meant for safe strolling.
Excessive Sloping from Driveway Overlays
On Peachwood and on the Eastern side of Jasperson, nearly all sidewalks crossing driveways were overlaid, causing excessive sloping and interruptions to smooth walking or rolling. This breaches AODA and CSA B651 rules for level surfaces with a maximum 2% cross-slope.
Uneven terrain forces extra effort from wheelchair users, risking instability or tipping, while mobility aid users face higher fall chances. Long-term, perpendicular navigation of slopes can lead to repetitive strain injuries—shoulder and arm overuse for wheelchairs, or knee, hip, and back strain for walkers, as supported by wheelchair ergonomics studies.
Such alterations may infringe on Kingsville bylaws aligned with the Ontario Building Code, which demand 1.5-meter clear widths and level surfaces. Unauthorized changes could invite fines or enforcement. Solutions include retrofitting crossings for smooth, compliant transitions, plus ongoing maintenance and standards enforcement during construction.
Lack of Shade and Heat Risks
While Jasperson Lane’s benches every 150 meters are a positive, adding shade would amplify their utility during Kingsville’s heat waves. Elsewhere, sparse street trees left sidewalks unshaded. On a 35°C+ sunny day, radiant heat from asphalt (up to 60–70°C) or concrete (50–65°C) can make near-ground temperatures feel 5–10°C hotter, escalating the heat index to 40–45°C. This intensifies discomfort, dehydration, and heat stress, especially without shade—critical in a senior-heavy area.
Missed Opportunity: Inaccessible Green Space at Sandybrook and Mulberry
In the north of the neighborhood, the beautiful green space at Sandybrook and Mulberry features a rolling hill and dense vegetation surrounding a pond, offering potential as a serene retreat.
Unfortunately, it falls short of AODA Design of Public Spaces Standards for recreational trails and outdoor public spaces. Bounded by a high curb with no sidewalk access, it lacks compliant entry points—curb ramps should provide smooth transitions and adequate widths. The only ramped entry to this space was a narrow one for mailbox access. Additionally, the absence of rest benches works against seniors and those with mobility challenges.
If redeveloped into a neighborhood park with accessible paths, proper ramps, and benches, this could become one of Kingsville’s nicest green spaces, enhancing community health and enjoyment.
Insights from Local Walkers
Unplanned chats with residents underscored these concerns. An early-80s couple praised Woodycrest’s walkability and proximity to stores and downtown, walking twice daily for health. Yet, they occasionaly trip on inconsistent surfaces.
Another senior avid walker, logging 25,000+ steps daily, worried about sloped sidewalks causing repetitive strain. She also highlighted bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks due to lacking bike spaces, plus rising aggressive driving post-pandemic, endangering pedestrians.
Conclusion: Toward a More Inclusive Woodycrest
Despite these flaws, Woodycrest may be Kingsville’s most walkable neighborhood. However, our focus on automobiles has neglected pedestrian needs, especially for those with disabilities, aging issues, or sensory impairments. If we’re inviting seniors to retire here, we must bridge accessibility gaps between their former homes and Kingsville. True inclusivity demands equitable transportation infrastructure for all—let’s close that gap for a healthier, more welcoming community.
If you’re interested in all the details, here is a map of the observations we made during the audit.
