Dozens of kids from Agassiz Christian School, Kent Elementary and the community gathered together to give Pioneer Park’s new playground a well-played welcome.
“Today’s event is a celebration of our community’s all-new, all-inclusive playground,” Kent mayor Sylvia Pranger said during the official opening Thursday (June 20). “This is a unique playground, and it demonstrates community accessibility, inclusion and environmental stewardship.”
Although initially quoted at $139,400, the Habitat Systems playground ended costing around $160,000. It was largely covered by just over $120,000 in grants, including funds from the federal government’s Enabling Accessibility Program and Tire Stewardship BC.
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“Communities such as Agassiz and her neighbours, ones that are growing fast that focus on family and community involvement, know the importance of outdoor space and greenery,” Kevin Tatla, constituency assistant for MP Sidhu, said on behalf of the elected official.
“I congratulate my colleagues on both their foresight and their commitment to this beautiful space. May we all be able to enjoy it for years to come.”
The Tire Stewardship BC was responsible for the rubberized ground cover, which was made of 20,000 pounds of recycled tires, about 1,300 tires. The ground design included motifs from Kent’s farming and natural heritage, which also contributed to the play factors. Kids were hopping along the railway and jumping from mountaintop to mountaintop.
The rubberized ground has motifs from around Kent including:
— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) June 20, 2019
-the mountains,
-the river,
-the train,
-a duck pond,
-and what I can only assume is corn fields.
Please note the ground is *extremely* spongey and fun to walk on. pic.twitter.com/lX2d1zqkn2
Many elements of the new playground are designed to be fully accessible, allowing kids in wheelchairs to use the equipment just as well as those without.
The main play set has a ramp that leads up to a number of musical instruments attached to the structure — drums and chimes — while the swing set makes it possible for mobility-challenged kids to be lifted into the high-backed swings. (Kent Elementary support staff brought their own wheelchair lift to move students from their wheelchairs into the swings.)
The playground is designed to be wheelchair accessible, including the swing. The lift was added this morning, and two young kids are getting to try the swing today by getting lifted into the swing set. pic.twitter.com/ghBxGM54m8
— Grace Kennedy (@gracekenn) June 20, 2019
The playground also has a small ramp coming off of the concrete path, to allow wheelchair users to wheel themselves up onto the rubberized surface.
“We are very proud of Pioneer Park playground, and know that the community will enjoy its features for many years to come,” Pranger said.
grace.kennedy@ahobserver.com
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