Calgary kids of all abilities can play on 10 new inclusive playgrounds

Calgary kids of all abilities can play on playgrounds intended for everyone, with the parks being designed to meet the needs of a wide group of children.

Sandy Beach is one of many new inclusive parks and playgrounds the City of Calgary, Parks Foundation, and the Government of Alberta developed together.

Parks Foundation, a non-profit partnered with Calgary, has been working with the city to develop the new parks, with Jeanette Quinn leading the charge as the project manager.

“Being able to design a playground really means creating design elements and features that really cater to their needs,” said Quinn.

“That means using simple things such as rubber surfacing rather than things like sand, and being able to move your wheelchair across to get to the place structure itself.”

Quinn says the parks are intended for children of all abilities and play among all kids is encouraged.

Many of the playground projects were fast-tracked due to Provincial Municipal Stimulus Program (MSP) funds. The 10th and final inclusive playground, located in Somerset, was completed in June.

“It is unprecedented to build this many new inclusive playgrounds in a few short months,” said Kyle Ripley, director of Calgary Parks.

“The funding we received from the Province and the efforts of our partners significantly accelerated the design and construction of these playgrounds. I commend our parks staff for moving quickly to take advantage of these funding opportunities and working with partners like the Parks Foundation to bring these new amenities to Calgarians sooner than expected.”

There are 10 of these playgrounds in Calgary, all of which were built in a year.

They are Edworthy Park, Elliston Park, Hidden Hut, South Glenmore Park, North Glenmore Park, Ramsay Inclusive Playground, Sandy Beach, Somerset, Ted Harrison, and Vivo in Country Village.

Children play on the new inclusive park at Sandy Beach in Calgary on Aug. 3, 2022. The new park is one of 10 that were built in Calgary and were completed in a year. (Gaby Rios/CityNews Calgary photo)

Children gain new access to parks

Camp Bonaventure is a summer camp run by Between Friends, an organization dedicated to helping children will all kinds of abilities.

They run an inclusive camp for children on the site right across from the new playground in Sandy Beach.

Between Friends was not involved in the development of the playground; however, Sandy Beach was chosen as a site based on the relationship with Calgary, and the clients that their summer camp, Camp Bonaventure, serves.

Lucy Diep is a team lead with Camp Bonaventure Between Friends, and she sees the new park as a great development for the neighborhood and for the kids.

Diep says that inclusive playgrounds can cater to as many diverse needs and abilities as possible, and they can challenge all children without segregation or stigmatization.

“Play is so essential and important for kids of all ages and abilities, especially for kids with disabilities. It enriches their self-esteem, their quality of life, and adds to and contributes to their mental health and physical wellbeing,” said Diep.

“This is a great opportunity for kids of all abilities, of all ages to come together and just get to know each other, have fun and play.”

The parks are meant for all kinds of kids, and this is encouraged by the organization with their own camps.

“Families, especially families with children with disabilities, it gives them the opportunity and a public space and place to be together, to play together, and also to interact with their community to come to the park and build that social connection,” said Diep.

All children and caregivers with physical challenges have features like braille indicator signs to help those who are blind or partially sighted to enjoy the playground.

Quinn says these playgrounds also include enclosed or semi-private areas where children can take a break when they are feeling overstimulated.

“You see slides and you see climbing structures that create different sensory enhancements. So, they can be musical instruments, but they could also just be the materiality in the play structure itself,” said Quinn.

The City of Calgary aims to have an inclusive play space or recreational opportunity within a five-kilometre radius of every resident as part of the Council-approved Inclusive Play Spaces Implementation Plan.

The Government of Alberta provided over $4 million in funding through MSP and CFEP grants in 2021 to support the 10 inclusive playground projects.

For more information about the location and features of these new inclusive playgrounds, visit the City of Calgary website, and the Parks Foundation website.