People with mobility and developmental challenges can now safely take part in a Comox Valley tradition: floating the day away in the lake.
Lake Park Society and Isfeld Secondary鈥檚 Life Skills class are proud to announce that they were successful in their application for an Enabling Accessibility Fund 鈥� Youth Innovation Component grant, and have purchased a floating water wheelchair for Cumberland Lake Park and Campground.
This innovative and inclusive project was born from a shared vision between students and staff at Isfeld and Lake Park Society: to make freshwater recreation more accessible for people in the Comox Valley. The project brings a floating wheelchair to the lake鈥攁llowing individuals with mobility or developmental challenges to safely float, cool off, and connect with others in the water.
鈥淚 am excited to see more accessible options in our community. This piece of equipment will allow more opportunities for people to get out and enjoy Comox Lake,鈥� said Devon Ramwell, Life Skills teacher at Isfeld Secondary.
Currently, there are no public beaches in the region that offer accessible aquatic equipment鈥攂ut Cumberland Lake Park is poised to lead the way. The park already features accessible washrooms and showers, and an accessible beach mat is in place at the boat launch. Recently, Wachiay Friendship Centre generously gifted Lake Park Society two Onit Ability Boards for free community use. These adaptive stand-up paddleboards with outriggers can be paddled independently鈥攅ither while standing or from a locking wheelchair鈥攎aking water recreation more inclusive for all.
The floating wheelchair and Onit Ability Boards are available free of charge to anyone in the community, via in-person or online booking at cumberlandlakepark.ca.
This project is another step forward in Lake Park Society鈥檚 ongoing commitment to creating an inclusive community hub for outdoor adventure and recreation.
