Scarce drinking fountains in Windsor, Ont., limits accessible options during heat wave
CBC
When Shawn Gordy runs along Windsor's riverfront trail, he usually wears a backpack with a water pouch that he can sip from, but since it can feel heavy and restricting, he sometimes leaves it at home.
And while he's usually fine without water, Gordy says that on hot days, it'd be nice to "take a break and then have some water somewhere."
CBC News spoke with several people along the riverfront on Monday to see how they were staying hydrated on the first day of a days-long heat dome that is expected to hover over millions of North Americans for the rest of the week. Many said they didn't know there were any drinking fountains on the more than five-kilometre stretch and welcomed having more.
Right now, the riverfront trail only has two drinking fountains — three others have been put out of service over the years.
"I didn't even know there was two and I don't even know where they are, so that's new to me," Gordy said, adding that more noticeable fountains would likely encourage others to get out and be active.
If there were more, he says he would definitely use them.
That's also how cyclist Rachael Durocher feels. The LaSalle resident who bikes along Windsor's riverfront says she makes sure to bring her own water with her.
"You're at the mercy of bringing your own water and therefore bringing like your own backpacks, which can be a little bit cumbersome sometimes," she said.
"But definitely if there was more signage and options available, for sure it'd be helpful."
WATCH: Windsor-Essex is under a heat warning
But the city says it has no plans to restore the water fountains that have fallen out of service on the riverfront.
"There are, you know, a number of washrooms along the riverfront that have sinks and taps, so that, you know, somebody could get water. You could certainly, you know, fill up your water bottle from a sink within one of the public washrooms," said James Chacko, executive director of the city's parks and facilities department.
There's no requirements for how often drinking fountains need to be placed along trails, according to Chacko.
Instead, he says they encourage people to plan ahead and bring their own water if they are going to a park.
WARNING: This story contains distressing content, including racist, violent and antisemitic language.
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