Organization Raising Funds For Inclusive Playground to Be Built In Ennismore

To remove barriers for children to be able to play together equally, Accessible Playgrounds Ontario (APO) is raising $250,000 to build an inclusive playground at the Ennismore Waterfront Park in Ennismore.

Grant (left) pushing her son Jude (right) on a swing. According to Grant, 38 per cent of Canadian children with a disability almost never get physical exercise outside of school. Photo courtesy of APO.

Julie Grant of APO is spearheading the project, ‘Jude's Joy,’ named after her three-year-old son Jude, who was born with cerebral palsy.

According to Grant, there are no accessible playgrounds in Peterborough and the Kawarthas.

“The closest fully accessible/inclusive playground to Selwyn is 64 km away in Port Hope and the second closest is Port Perry,” she explained.

Jude cannot independently walk and requires a walker to travel. Grant says several playground features are not as accessibility-friendly as they seem.

Most accessible playgrounds have rubber surfacing and intentionally designed play elements such as ramps. Roughly half of the money raised goes towards that surfacing, and Grant attributes the wood chips as a cheaper alternative.

“The most common barrier at playgrounds is the surfacing choice, which is often wood chips, which limits Jude's ability at two to three years old to use his walker independently,” she explained. “Secondly, the absence of ground-level play elements does not permit the learning opportunities that fully abled people can experience. Therefore, potential learning is lost.”

The other half of the funds raised have already been deliberated on, as Grant explained how else the money will be spent.

“Considerations include a ramp onto the main play structure, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round, an accessible swing with a harness, various music elements at ground level, and a play-tot structure for younger children from 18-plus months.”

So far, $55,000 has been raised for the initiative. Grant is seeking more from the community to get closer to the goal.

“Our journey began with an initial donation and partnership with the Ennismore Optimist Club. We are currently reaching out to all of the local service clubs in Peterborough and the Kawarthas to inform these organizations of our initiative and build relationships to support this venture,” she explained. “We recognize this playground will draw from our entire region. We also are using our donor packages to introduce our project to surrounding businesses and organizations.”

Donations can be made through the Township of Selwyn in person or by mail via debit, cheque, or cash; Canada Helps; or by cheque to the Optimist Club of Ennismore.

“This provides the opportunity for the entire family, with members of varying abilities, to share in the play experience,” explained Grant. “It is inclusive, not exclusive.”

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Donwood Park Renovations are Complete

Construction at Clintonia Park in Donwood is complete thanks to a $76,900 Capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation received in 2019.

Clintonia Park under renovation on July 9, 2021. Photo Courtesy of Ang Davis.

Plans have been underway to renovate the park since 2019 when original playground equipment was aging and no longer met current safety standards.

With the support of council community volunteers and Township staff replaced the equipment and addressed the landscaping and drainage issues in the park.

“Having grown up in the community, I am happy that we were able to bring the neighbourhood together to make this space a fun space for everyone for generations to come,” said Angela Bullock, a volunteer working on the committee.

The park serves approximately 500 residents in the Donwood community.

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Peterborough Splash Pads Now Open For the Season

Splash pads in city parks have opened for the season that began on Saturday announced by the City of Peterborough in a press release on Friday.

Lifeguard supervision is not provided at Peterborough splash pads. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Residents are encouraged to follow public health guidelines when using the water play structures.

Splash pads are open from noon to 7:00 p.m. every day. They are located at:

• King Edward Park, 455 George St. S.

• Nicholls Oval, 725 Armour Rd.

• Rogers Cove, 131 Maria St.

• Kinsmen Park, 1 Kinsmen Way (Sherbrooke Street and Clonsilla Avenue)

• Barnardo Park, Barnardo Avenue north of Sunset Boulevard

The splash pad season will end in September (weather permitting). Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The splash pads were commissioned for the season on Friday to open the following day after discussions with Peterborough Public Health on safe operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peterborough Public Health reminds everyone that public health measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 must be followed when attending and using splash pads. Signage is posted at splash pads to provide guidance on the measures as Public Health recommends the following:

• Do not leave home if you are not feeling well

• Maintain physical distancing of at least two metres from people who are not from the same household

• Bring hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

Splash pads should be considered a “Hands-Free Zone”. Water play features in the splash pads that require gripping, such as water cannons, have been turned off or removed. Where there are buttons to activate water features, people should use their elbows or feet to push the buttons, depending on the height, instead of their hands.

Wear a mask if physical distancing is not always possible. If the splash pad is crowded or busy, come back another time.

“Children and their parents I believe, will be very happy to have our five splash pads open for the season as of May 29th,” said Councillor Lesley Parnell, the Chair of Council's Arenas, Parks and Recreation Portfolio. “This is a few weeks earlier than usual but they will be available as the warm weather returns. Additional fun activities are more essential than ever. Please continue to follow public health guidelines."

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Riverview Park and Zoo Playground To Re-Open, Zoo To Remain Closed At This Time

The Riverview Park & Zoo has announced in a Facebook post that their playground will be open to the public again starting Wednesday, July 22nd, with the following notifications and guidelines for visitors:

-> Due to limited resources and the safety of visitors and staff, all washrooms will remain closed.
-> Garbage is carry-in/carry-out. Visitors should plan accordingly to help keep the park clean.

Photo via Riverview Park & Zoo Facebook page

The zoo itself remains closed at this time: This includes the zoo area, all facilities between the gates, amenities and attractions (the zoo, splash pad, gift shop, washrooms, train ride, programs, picnic shelters and facility rentals).

Only essential staff are on-site taking care of the 150 animals, 30 exhibits, grounds and facilities, the zoo says in the post. These limited resources mean that they must continue to focus on what is most important—caring for the animals that live here, and keeping them and the staff who care for them safe.

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