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Dunedin City Council Mosgiel Recreation Area management plan review

Posted in Regional, Submission; Tagged Accessibility, Parks and recreation; Posted 17 months ago by DPA Less than a minute to read

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To: Dunedin City Council
Date: March 2025

 

Purpose

This submission’s fundamental purpose is to ensure that the Mosgiel Recreation Area, encompassing various community facilities, is fully accessible and inclusive for disabled people, enabling them to enjoy and benefit from it in the same way as non-disabled individuals. DPA provides detailed feedback on accessibility features, landscape management, public transport links, and health and safety, ensuring the plan meets the needs of Mosgiel's significant disabled and older population.

Summary of DPA submission

DPA agrees with the Council’s intention to improve recreational and educational opportunities and particularly welcomes proposals to improve public accessibility and wayfinding within the reserve. DPA notes that disabled people comprise a significant proportion of Mosgiel’s population, given the increasing number of older people in the area. DPA is pleased to see that several recommendations from earlier submissions have been taken up, including the need to widen footpaths, provide continuous level surfacing, add more drop kerbs, install a crossing at Reid Avenue and Harstonge Avenue, and add more mobility car parks outside the Mosgiel Library.

However, DPA notes that the needs of blind and low vision people, neurodiverse people, and D/deaf people have not been fully incorporated into this plan. DPA recommends that Council continues to actively engage with disabled people and D/deaf people about the reserve proposals to ensure all needs are met. DPA shares the Mosgiel community’s appreciation of the landscape but recommends that plans are drawn up by the Council to improve the level and quality of maintenance in the Mosgiel Recreation Reserve, especially regarding drainage issues in grass areas during autumn and winter.

DPA also agrees with much of the SWOT analysis, particularly identified weaknesses around existing facilities' inaccessibility, poor drainage, and a disjointed pedestrian network, and opportunities for improved access and connections. DPA is pleased that many suggested actions resulting from the SWOT analysis will directly benefit disabled people, such as creating accessible linkages, providing recreational opportunities, establishing a 'Changing Places' facility, ensuring accessible facilities (toilets, parking, seating), and improving crossing points. While DPA agrees with health and safety policies, they express concern regarding the proposal to close toilets after sports practices and events, noting its impact on disabled people, and recommend further discussion on after-hours toilet closures in the absence of a 'Changing Places' toilet.

 


Key Recommendation/Finding:

A key recommendation is that Council continues to actively engage with disabled people and D/deaf people about the reserve proposals.

 


Supporting Statement 1:

Despite incorporating feedback from earlier submissions, the current plan has not fully integrated the specific needs of blind and low vision people, neurodiverse people, and D/deaf people.

 


Supporting Statement 2:

Continued engagement will ensure that the recreational reserve truly serves the diverse access and inclusion requirements of Mosgiel's disabled community.

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DPA Submission 2503 Dunedin City Council Mosgiel Recreation Area management plan review (DOCX)

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