Accessibility Plan

Civic Facility Accessibility Assessments - Phase 1 of this project includes having accessibility assessments completed with a Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification rating on 17 municipal facilities (excluding Civic Centre, Recreation Complex, Arts Centre, Old Orchard Caretaker Residence and Old Fire Hall).

Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Grant - The City of Port Moody is participating in the Rick Hansen Foundation's B.C. Accessibility Grants Program. This program provides participating cities with Rick Hansen Foundation Accessibility Certification ratings for three existing sites, up to $82,500 in accessibility improvement funds to be allocated for upgrades to the three rated sites, and accessibility training for city staff.

Port Moody's grant has been earmarked for the Civic Centre, Recreation Complex, and Arts Centre to help improve accessibility and inclusion at these facilities. For more information on accessibility improvements for civic facilities, please read City staff's February 13, 2024 report to Council (agenda item 7.6).

Age Friendly Plan - Council has endorsed Port Moody’s Age-Friendly Assessment and Action Plan to guide our city in becoming an age-friendly community. The Implementation Plan has 52 actions, which includes 26 completed actions.  

Playground Improvements - Six playgrounds, including Art Wilkinson, Barber Street, Town Centre, Seaview, Twin Creeks and Westhill, were recently upgraded. Accessibility and inclusivity were considered in the selection of the play structures and playground surfacing (i.e., engineered wood fibre/rubberized surfacing), allowing those with mobility impairments to access as well as enjoy the playground equipment. 

Adaptable Housing - Adaptable housing is designed and built so that accessibility features can be added more easily and inexpensively after construction. On July 10, 2018, City Council adopted a new Zoning Bylaw, which includes a requirement that 50% of all new apartment units in Port Moody must meet provincial adaptable housing standards. 

Gender Inclusive Washroom Policy - The City is in the beginning stages of developing a gender inclusive washroom policy to direct the way we build washrooms in new facilities, as well as considering potential retrofit approaches for existing facilities.

Bus Stop Accessibility Improvements - This annual program facilitates making improvements for transit users throughout the City by modifying transit stops and sidewalk space to increase accessibility and comfortability. 85% of stops are considered accessible with the goal of 100%.

Capital Rehabilitation Program for Pedestrian Accessibility - This program addresses the rehabilitation of existing sidewalks, pathways, curb letdowns, driveway crossings, and other walking facilities to improve accessibility and walkability for all users.

Wayfinding Signage - The wayfinding signage project includes fingerpost signs and directory kiosks throughout the City. A mobility assessment was conducted as part of the Wayfinding Strategy. Signage was installed with attention paid to accessibility matters.

St Johns Street Multi-Use Pathway - This project is the first of two phases for the active infrastructure improvements for the St. Johns Street Corridor. The project seeks to improve existing walking and cycling facilities and increase active mode choices along St. Johns Street, in accordance with recommendations from the 2017 Master Transportation Plan.

Website Renewal - The City of Port Moody is committed to ensuring its website is accessible to all regardless of technology or ability. We strive to meet or exceed industry best practices. Accessibility will be one of the factors that will be considered when the City conducts a website renewal project, starting in 2024. 

Staff Training - The City is pursuing ongoing staff training opportunities, in alignment with the internal IDEA strategy.

Disability Management Program - We support employees with a disability or impairment through the provision of suitable duties. Where a temporary or permanent workplace accommodation is required, Human Resources, the manager, and the employee work together to assess accommodation options. 

Recruitment - We ensure our recruitment and selection process is accessible by utilizing technology for recruitment, reducing potential barriers through virtual interviews and an online application process.  We adjust the process to accommodate the expressed needs of candidates. 

Tri-Cities Local Immigration Partnership (TCLIP) - Port Moody staff work with TCLIP, which brings community leaders and organizations together to develop welcoming and inclusive communities, where established residents and newcomers feel a sense of belonging and attachment. 

Shoreline Trail Boardwalk Replacement - The Shoreline Trail Boardwalk Replacement Project will replace the end-of-life timber boardwalk structures at the head of the Burrard Inlet. The new boardwalk structure will be wider for improved accessibility as well as higher to accommodate sea level rise. The stairs and steep grades at the ends and along the length of the existing trail will be replaced with ramps for improved accessibility and handrails will be added for improved user safety.  

Salmon in the City - This project is reviewing the feasibility of creating park space within an undeveloped City-owned parcel adjacent to Mossom Creek. The project is exploring various park development concepts to support stewardship activities, environmental education opportunities and passive park use. Accessibility is being assessed as part of conceptual designs and difficult site constraints.

Lower Suter Brook Enhancement Project (Phase 1) - This project is looking at opportunities for environmental enhancement of the Lower Suter Brook creek on city owned property. The goal is to restore degraded habitat and create a resilient natural area that also provides a key pedestrian corridor and trail. Trail accessibility improvements will be considered in the detailed design phase that will conclude in 2024.

Rocky Point Park and Old Orchard Park Master Plans - Plans for both parks will provide a framework for decision-making over the next 10 years with a key emerging principle to ensure park accessibility and inclusivity. Some of the accessibility improvements that will be considered include connectivity and accessibility by different modes of travel and trail/waterfront as well as improved access to natural environment and all recreation, amenities and facilities. The Old Orchard Park Master Plan will additionally address challenges to grade at site with a concept for gently sloped ramp system.

Trail Network Plan - In recent decades, Port Moody has experienced considerable growth in demand for use of trails and changes in the types of uses and trail visits. To meet this increasing demand, the City is reviewing the current trail network and looking at how to improve user experience. Accessibility is being considered in terms of making the trails and trail amenities (e.g., benches) accessible to all users.

Parkland Strategy - This strategy will guide long-term planning for parkland throughout Port Moody. It will include priorities and actions to help us ensure that parkland is distributed across the city, with equal access for all to diverse spaces and amenities. Project accessibility considerations include accessible and inclusive playgrounds for multiple age groups, accessible public greenspaces and waterfronts, and target number of accessible parking stalls in parks.

Inlet Park Redevelopment - this project is replacing the existing gravel field with high-quality, all-weather, artificial turf surface. Considerations for accessibility included in the design include:

-            appropriate grades for paved or concrete surfaces

-            a dedicated drop-off area in the parking lot for easier access to the field

-            paved perimeter pathway around the field’s edge

-            improved access between Murray Street and the Shoreline Trail

-            accessible design elements for the fieldhouse facility

Shoreline Trail Multi-Use Path Upgrades and Bridge over Noons Creek - This project will upgrade the paved multi-use path (MUP) between Murray Street and Old Orchard Park. The project will widen sections of the path to a consistent 3.3m width, reduce vertical grades to less than 8%, provide new paved surface and drainage improvements to mitigate trip hazards and improve accessibility. A switchback ramp with handrails will be installed at Old Orchard Hall to improve accessibility from the park to Old Orchard Hall.  Other improvements include provision of wayfinding signage, interpretive signage showcasing First Nations history, and new benches that include wheelchair pads. As part of the project, the pedestrian bridge over Noons Creek will be replaced. The new MUP was designed and will be constructed as per Rick Hansen Accessibility Guidelines.