PENHOLD – Plans for a new $200,000 interactive, inclusive and accessible playground are moving forward.
Jaelene VandenBrink, an elementary school teacher and local parent, provided a project update to council at a meeting Jan. 28.
Since her first presentation to them two years ago, the Penhold Community Leaders Society was formed and the town rezoned land for the proposed playground.
Over the past several months, VandenBrink said the organization has worked to raise funds, gather corporate sponsorship and apply for government grants, to build the interactive, inclusive and accessible playground.
“We’re excited and eager to see it to its fruition this summer,” said VandenBrink. “We were just very, very committed and very driven. This was very important to us and we’re very passionate about it.”
The 9.3 acres of land the playground will sit on in the town’s south end will also include educational wetlands and a recreational area.
The total cost of the project is $204,000, most of which has been raised, noted VandenBrink.
“We’re at just over 85 per cent raised, that’s about $175,000,” she added.
The playground, known as Critters Corner, will have several features. It will be aimed at children 18 months to five years old, will be wheelchair accessible and have several playground activities that will be built at ground level.
“We are also getting wheelchair and stroller accessible picnic tables as well,” said VandenBrink. "There’s also a poured rubber surface (around the playground). It’s a softer, more durable (material) so it’s not your typical stones, sand or pavement.”
The playground itself will be about 280 square metres in size.
“We are hoping to secure additional funding and have yet to name the playground, after an individual, group or business, but we are confident that over the next few months we will achieve this outcome,” said VandenBrink.
Construction on the playground is expected to begin in the spring and it will be built by PlayQuest Recreation, a playground equipment supplier in Edmonton.
“We will be moving forward with our supplier to start ordering (materials) and once the ground thaws out we’ll begin construction, hopefully this spring,” she said.
“Play is so crucial in children’s lives. We want them to be able to play regardless of their mental or physical restrictions,” VandenBrink concluded.
