There is a lot to like about the green space around the former site of the 2010 paralympic athletes village, now called Village on False Creek. But when held up to the "standard of Olympic excellence" it doesn't make gold.
Just metres away from the Main Street Science World Skytrain station, it's very accessible by public transit. There is also plenty of designated parking for PWDs in the area. Way finding is excellent with lots of maps and tactile and auditory direction finding.
The views along the seawall are spectacular and there are many places to sit including cozy accessible nooks. There is an enclosed off-leash dog park for large and small dogs and the gates are not hard to open or pass through if you are in a wheelchair.
Unfortunately I saw no evidence of washroom facilities, the children's play area was not completely barrier free and there was no adapted play equipment.
The Village could have still qualified for a silver in accessibility if it were not for the completely inaccessible man-made habitat island. The island is one of the main features of the green space around the village so I find the decision not to have accessible access baffling.
One of the goals of the 2010 Olympic legacy was to use the event as a springboard to create a more inclusive, barrier free world class city. Moving forward I am confident the city will use its creative and inclusive energy to get us onto the island.
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