Making Emma and Felix Jack Park Accessible for All: A Community Conversation
Credit: J-D Cusin
Emma and Felix Jack Park holds a special place in the heart of our island community. As the site of important Indigenous remembrance ceremonies, community celebrations, and gatherings that honour our First Nations, the park is a space for reflection, connection, and reconciliation. However, steep slopes, deep gullies, and brooks that manage surface water make the park difficult to access for people with mobility challenges.
A community-led initiative aims to improve accessibility at the park, ensuring all residents and visitors can fully participate in the cultural and community life that takes place there. We want to hear from you—your thoughts, concerns, and suggestions—to ensure that this project reflects the needs and values of our island.
Why This Project Matters
Emma and Felix Jack Park is a focal point for reconciliation efforts on Mayne Island. It is where we gather on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, honour Indigenous history and culture, and strengthen relationships with the W̱SÁNEĆ people, on whose traditional lands we live.
However, accessibility barriers prevent some community members—including elders and those using wheelchairs, walkers, or canes—from fully participating. Without safe access, many are left on the sidelines. This project is about inclusion, equity, and ensuring that no one is excluded from these important gatherings.
What’s Being Proposed?
The accessibility project focuses on three key improvements:
- A Level Parking Space on the East Side: A designated accessible parking space will allow mobility-challenged individuals to enter the park without navigating stairs or uneven terrain. This will involve leveling a small area, installing a culvert, and ensuring a gentle transition to the park’s contours.
- A Safe Staircase on the South Side: The wide shoulder of Felix Jack Road at the south side provides parking, but the slope leading into the park is too steep for safe access. A permanent staircase will be installed, offering a safer way to enter the park.
- A Pedestrian Bridge at the North End (Closest to Miners Bay): Many people park closer to town during events, but deep gullies make the park inaccessible for those who cannot navigate uneven terrain. A pedestrian bridge will provide a safe entry point from the north, making the park more walkable and connected to the rest of the island.
These upgrades will be designed to respect the natural landscape while making the park accessible for those who need it most.
Community Input is Essential
This project is in the early planning stages, and we want the community’s input. Your feedback will help ensure these improvements meet the needs of those who will benefit most.
Do you or someone you know experience difficulty accessing the park? Do you have suggestions to make these improvements as effective and unobtrusive as possible? Are there concerns we should address before moving forward?
We invite all community members to share their thoughts. Whether you have personal experience with mobility challenges, expertise in accessibility design, or a passion for making Mayne Island more inclusive, we want to hear from you.
Next Steps & How to Get Involved
The Mayne Island Parks and Recreation Commission (MIPRC) has reviewed the preliminary proposal and supports the initiative in principle. Next steps involve consulting with stakeholders, including you and the W̱SÁNEĆ Leadership Council, securing permits, and seeking funding.
There are several ways you can get involved:
Share your feedback – Let us know your thoughts, concerns, or ideas by clicking here.
Attend an information session – A community discussion will be scheduled (details to come).
Support the project – If you have expertise in accessibility, engineering, grant writing, or community organizing, your input is welcome.
Making Emma and Felix Jack Park truly accessible is a collective effort. By working together, we can ensure that everyone—regardless of physical ability—can fully engage in the cultural and community life that makes Mayne Island special.
To share your thoughts or get involved, please contact maynesynergy@gmail.com.
Jean-Daniel Cusin
Mayne Island Collective
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