Imagine a park. There is a pool where children are learning to swim. A forest trail leads to a grassy area where families watch bluebirds nesting. At a dock on the lake a parent teaches a child how to cast a fishing rod for the first time.

Now imagine someone not being able to use this park because of barriers that keep a person with a disability from fully participating in the fun.

The Catholic Youth Organization's (C.Y.O.) vision is to build Marydale Park, an outdoor recreation and sport facility in Hamilton that will be completely barrier-free. This park has been designed to be universally accessible so that everyone can enjoy the outdoors.

"It's an exciting project," says John Spatazzo, the C.Y.O.'s Executive Director. "Marydale Park will be Ontario's first barrier-free facility open to everyone, of all abilities, no matter what faith or cultural background they come from."

All the park's features and facilities, from the change rooms and swimming pool, to the fishing platform and playing fields, will be accessible — something that is very important to Spatazzo.

"We just want to make it possible for families to make day trips to the park without worrying that their loved ones won't be comfortable or able to fully enjoy the experience," says Spatazzo.

To accommodate wheelchairs and walkers, the swimming pool will have a sloped entry into the water, like the gradual descent of a beach into the ocean. Change rooms will have roll-in showers. Hard surface paths will link the parking lot to picnic benches, play areas and indoor facilities.

What's more, these paths will be built throughout the neighbouring Binbrook Conservation Area so that people can have full access to the trails to view plants and wildlife.

The Binbrook Conservation Society, the City of Hamilton, local school boards, private companies and many community members all support the plans for the park. And the C.Y.O. hopes to hold a groundbreaking ceremony in September 2009.

Imagine a park — Marydale Park. Children who use wheelchairs are playing with their friends in the pool. A grandfather who uses a walker is strolling along a garden path with his family. And on a dock at the lake, a child with a disability is proudly showing her parent the first fish she has ever caught.