Windsor causeway trail upgrades offer improved accessibility

The popular Windsor causeway trail that loops around Lake Pisiquid has received a much-needed facelift.

And in the process, it’s become more inclusive for users.

In May, West Hants Regional Municipality hired Humphreys Landscape and Construction (1996) Ltd., of Dartmouth, to undertake upgrades to portions of the Windsor and Falmouth sides of the causeway trail system.

Segments of the paved trail that were heaving and cracked, which was a safety concern, were replaced. Those pathways also needed to be widened to 1.8 metres to comply with new accessibility standards. On the Windsor side, additional improvements were made to provide access to park benches, seats, and the gazebo where many functions and concerts are held.

Mayor Abraham Zebian said the public response to the upgraded walkway and new accessible paths has been “incredible.”

“If you were a user of the trail, it was pretty rocky and very unsafe,” Zebian said, noting his family often biked the causeway trail.

Now it’s smooth and seamless.

Michel Bourgeois, who chairs the West Hants accessibility advisory committee, commended the municipality for its commitment to working with various groups and organizations to ensure upgrades being made benefited all users.

“The gazebo (now) has an accessible ramp, a proper ramp to it; a lot of the seating down by the waterfront now has accessible pathways to the seating,” Bourgeois pointed out.

The outdoor musical instrument display near the Pisiquid Canoe Club is also accessible, as it is connected to a concrete pathway.

“So those are the kind of things that give us encouragement that we’re starting to see that accessibility is not ‘a nice to have’ but just part of the design,” Bourgeois said.

West Hants also recently opened a fully accessible playground in Elmcroft Park in Windsor.

“There is always going to be lots to do but when you can see some tangible examples like this, it’s encouraging,” he said.

With the improvements downtown and the new accessible playground, Bourgeois said West Hants has “wholeheartedly bought into” the importance of making the area accessible and inclusive for all.

“Staff has really stepped up, considering it’s a significant evolution from the way things were done as recently as 10 years ago,” Bourgeois said.

“So, kudos to staff and with continued council support, we can keep going with this.”