Families look for new accessible playground

PENHOLD - A group of Penhold families wants to see a new, modern and interactive playground in town that will also offer a wetland area, trail and a toboggan hill.

Jaelene VandenBrink, an elementary school teacher and local parent, made a presentation to Penhold council on Feb. 27 regarding the need for such a playground.

"The message we've heard loud and clear from fellow community members is they would like to see this area remain a green space that will also include new landscaping," said VandenBrink.

Council supported the playground proposal and asked administration to move forward with designating the wetlands and surrounding area for the development of a recreational playground and park.

"I think overall it's an excellent idea and it's definitely needed," said Mayor Dennis Cooper. "It's great to see (Penhold) citizens behind it."

The proposed recreational piece of land, located in the south end of Penhold, is currently zoned urban reserve (9.4 acres). VandenBrink and a committee of families wish to designate the land to public institutional, which would allow for the development of a park and many amenities.

In addition, the group made a request that the current proposed trail be changed from gravel walking to a wider asphalt trail connecting to the existing trail system along Waskasoo Avenue.

"I noticed our town could benefit from a playground that's both wheelchair accessible and age appropriate for the younger population," she said. "Moving towards inclusiveness in our classrooms is a huge focus and many community members feel that having a space within a community that currently focuses on inclusion would be an asset as well."

The group reached out to families and community members through various programs and social media to gather feedback about the proposed playground.

"We heard from families who represent 45 young children in the surrounding area and they would love a recreational area in their neighbourhood," she said.

In her meeting with council, VandenBrink presented several charts and graphs outlining the playground area that would include several features, as requested by community members. Some of those features include a playground aimed at children 18 months to five years old, wheelchair accessibility and several playground activities that would be built at ground level.

The area could provide a self-guided nature trail, help increase visitors' knowledge of the wetlands and enable exploration of different aspects of the environment, she added.

VandenBrink said they will look at obtaining government grants to help with funding the playground project and will fundraise throughout 2017 with hopes to build the recreational area in 2018.