City of Hamilton helps residents connect one Wi-Fi at a time

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton is expanding Wi-Fi availability in select parks and public spaces as part of a three-year pilot project to ensure residents can connect online to important information, social supports and vital services.

William Connell Park marks the third location across the city to offer Wi-Fi as part of the pilot, joining Gage Park and Waterdown Memorial Park, with additional park locations scheduled to go live by the end of 2022. The Wi-Fi expansion pilot launched in late 2021 and is supported by the Government of Canada’s Healthy Communities Initiative thanks to a $99,999 grant.

Expanding free public access while focusing on locations of highest need to best service the community will help address the digital divide that has been further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Increased connectivity in parks enhances accessibility for individuals who use public spaces, eliminating barriers to services that may have digital access pathways, and supports placemaking enhancements.

The work also supports a key goal of City’s Economic Development Action Plan: 2021-2025 by enhancing digital infrastructure and services.

The City will monitor uptake and interest in the free Wi-Fi pilot and consider expanding to additional public places in the future.

Quick facts

• The City of Hamilton’s Wi-Fi map shows all 76 city locations where public Wi-Fi access is currently available.
• The City’s Park Finder tool now includes searchability specific to Wi-Fi enabled parks, with the aim to expand parks as they become Wi-Fi enabled.
• A tabular list of City of Hamilton’s Wi-Fi locations is available via open.hamilton.ca.
• The Canada Healthy Communities Initiative is a $31 million investment from the Government of Canada to support communities as they create and adapt public spaces to respond to the new realities of COVID-19.

• The City recognizes that internet connectivity is essential for many residents, businesses and institutions in our communities. Results from the city-wide High-Speed Internet Survey will be available in 2022.