Dorchester Dream Park

07/30/2026

💙 Thankful Thursday 💙

Nothing makes us happier than hearing how the Dorchester Dream Park is making a difference in our community. 🥰

This week, we're so thankful to receive this heartfelt message from Kristi:

"I work at the Salvation Army in London in a Day Camp for children and youth with Autism. Every Friday we come to the Dorchester Dream Park. We are so thankful that we can utilize this space that was built for them!"

The photos below feature Sebastian, one of the wonderful campers from the Salvation Army Autism Day Camp, enjoying everything the park has to offer. Seeing smiles like his reminds us why this park was created—to provide an inclusive space where every child can play, explore, and belong.

Thank you, Kristi, for sharing your kind words and for allowing us to be a small part of your campers' Fridays. Stories like yours remind us just how meaningful this park is to so many families and organizations in our community. 💙

✨ We'd love to hear your story! Has the Dorchester Dream Park made a difference for you or your family? Send us your story and photos, and you could be featured in an upcoming Thankful Thursday post. Together, let's celebrate the memories, connections, and joy this park brings to our community.

07/30/2026

💙 Help us tell the story of Dorchester Dream Park! 💙

From the very beginning, our vision has been to create a park where children and adults of all ages and abilities can play side by side, and thanks to this amazing community, that vision is becoming a reality.

Now we want to hear your story.

📸 Share your favourite photos from the park.

💬 Tell us:
✨ What do you love most about the Dorchester Dream Park?
✨ What makes you keep coming back?
✨ What does an inclusive park where everyone can play together mean to you and your family?

Whether it's your child's first trip down the slide, grandparents enjoying time with their grandchildren, friends of all abilities playing side by side, or simply a place where everyone feels welcome—we'd love to hear it.

Your stories and photos remind us why this park matters and help show the incredible impact an inclusive community can have.

👇 send us your photos and stories in a private message and we would love to showcase you in our thankful Thursday posts!

And if you know someone who loves the Dream Park, please share this post so we can collect as many memories as possible. Every story helps tell what makes this place so special. 💙

07/24/2026

Fundraising for the next phase of the Dorchester Dream Park is officially underway, and we couldn’t have asked for a better start!

A huge thank you to the Kinsmen for their generous donation of $3,000. Your support brings us one step closer to making our vision a reality.

Our goal for this phase is to install a side by side zip line with one accessible bucket seat and one standard seat. This will allow children, siblings, friends, and families of all abilities to enjoy the experience together while staying true to our vision of an inclusive playground where everyone can play side by side.

Every donation, big or small, helps move this project forward, and we are so grateful for the incredible support from our community.

We are also looking for a sponsor for our fundraising banner, which will be displayed on the park fence throughout this campaign. If your business or organization is interested, please send us a DM. We’d love to chat!

If you would like to help, you can donate online at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/municipality-of-thames-centre/ or mail your donation to:

Municipality of Thames Centre
4305 Hamilton Road
Dorchester, ON N0L 1G3

Please include “Inclusive Playground Donation” in the memo line. Tax receipts are available.

Together, we’re building more than a playground. We’re creating a place where every child feels welcome and included. 💙🛝

Happy Friday, everyone, and thank you for helping make this dream possible!

Thank you to the Kinsmen Club of Dorchester and Area for their recent $3,000 donation towards the next phase of the Dream Park!

Pictured in the photo left to right are Walter Wisotzki (Kinsmen Club), Devon Brown (Thames Centre), Steve MacDonald (Thames Centre), and Siebert Graat (Kinsmen Club).

Stay tuned to fined out more about what's coming up in the next phase of the accessible Dorchester Dream Park!

03/29/2026

We are incredibly grateful to share that the Dorchester Dream Park will be the beneficiary of a significant provincial EASE grant. The funds are designated towards the installation of a wheelchair swing. Link to press release (https://www.thamescentre.on.ca/news/posts/provincial-ease-grant-invests-in-new-wheelchair-swing-at-the-dorchester-dream-park).

This is an exciting and meaningful step toward making our park more inclusive and accessible for all members of our community. We are so proud to be part of a community that continues to support and believe in projects like this.

We would also like to encourage everyone to keep sharing any grant opportunities you come across. Your support and awareness truly make a difference in helping us continue to grow and improve the Dream Park for everyone.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us 💛

Thames Centre is receiving $57,935 from the Ontario Government though the province's EASE grant program to support the construction of a new wheelchair swing.

MPP Rob Flack joined Council members and members of the Dream Park Committee this morning to celebrate this Ontario Accessibility funding.

Thank you to our Community Services and Facilities team and to the members of the Dorchester Dream Park Committee for their work in earning this funding, and in establishing and improving the Dream Park.

Read the news release: https://www.thamescentre.on.ca/news/posts/provincial-ease-grant-invests-in-new-wheelchair-swing-at-the-dorchester-dream-park

12/06/2025

🎄 Looking for a meaningful way to spread holiday cheer? Give the gift of inclusion this season by donating to Dorchester Dream Park!
With donations of $250 or higher, you can honor someone with their name on our Donor Recognition Board!

Did you know? Dorchester Dream Park is the FIRST inclusive park in Thames Centre, designed for ALL abilities! With your support, we can add a wheelchair swing and accessible zip line to make it even better!

Every dollar counts, and your generosity means the world to us! Plus, all donations qualify for a tax receipt!

✨ Ready to donate? Here’s how:
💌 Donate online: CanadaHelps (https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/municipality-of-thames-centre)
📝 Or send a cheque to:
Municipality of Thames Centre
4305 Hamilton Road
Dorchester, ON N0L 1G3
(Please note "Inclusive Playground Donation" in the memo line.)

Together, let’s create a magical space where everyone can play and connect! Thank you for your support! 🎁💖

08/07/2025

📣 Urgent Call for Letters of Support! 📣

Hey everyone! We need your help! Thames Centre is applying for a grant of up to $60,000 to add a wheelchair-accessible swing to the Dorchester Dream Park, and we’re looking for letters of support from our community by August 11th!

Here’s what you can include in your letter:
- Your thoughts on the need for a wheelchair swing in our community.
- How the first two phases of the Dorchester Dream Park have positively impacted our community.
- Your opinion on the potential for the inclusive park to expand and offer even more with future phases.
- Input on the community support for this project and how you’ve seen that support in action.

Please email your letters to [email protected] or drop them off at the Arena Office, addressed to: Steve MacDonald Director of Community Services & Facilities Municipality of Thames Centre

Your voice matters! Let’s make this happen together. 💪 If you have any questions or need help writing, just reach out. Thanks for your support!

Please tag others.



Picture below is an example of a wheelchair swing.

06/25/2025

Heads up for anyone visiting the park on Friday before 1 PM - the washrooms will be temporarily closed for maintenance.

05/26/2025

🎉 A huge thank you to Modern Home Kitchens Closets and Baths for booking a VIP Table for the fast-approaching Video Dance Party! We’re thrilled to have your support and can't wait to celebrate with you!

Our team at Modern Home has been involved in the kitchen closet and bath industry since 2002.
We have been providing customers with quality workmanship while being attentive to budget and time requirements. Although we have worked with some of the biggest names and largest corporations in the Greater Toronto Area, our passion remains to be providing help to homeowners in creating a living space that every homeowner deserves.

🚨 VIP Tables are now 90% sold out, and with less than a week to go time is running out!! If you're thinking about reserving one, don’t wait—lock in your spot today and party in style!

Let’s make it a night to remember! 🕺💃