We’ve had some people ask why? Why does Oliver need another playground?  Why can’t we just use the other parks in town? Why is this park important?

It’s important for the children in our community.  Community Park with the arena, rec centre, swimming pool, baseball diamonds, band shell and numerous community events is the heart of our small town yet it now lacks a playground.  Oliver is blessed with fabulous playgrounds that are used on a daily basis.  We don’t deny that.  These playgrounds simply aren’t designed for small children.  The slides are too long, the gaps too wide, and the monkey bars too high.  The grass, gravel and sand also makes these playground difficult for some children and parents to access.

The Oliver Community Park Project has a vision for this playground to be the first fully accessible playground in our community.  We teach our children to be inclusive yet we don’t have a playground that is fully inclusive.  For those still asking why, THIS is why – Oliver Community Park Project simply wants a place for all children to play.  When asked about the playground, Leanne Scott and Dale Fuhr, parents of six year old Callum shared how this accessible playground would benefit their family.
I have been asked to explain what it would mean to my family, and to my son Callum, to have a local fully accessible playground…and immediately my throat begins to close over, due to the upcoming tears.  It would mean…the world.

You see, Callum doesn’t love to go to many places outside his home.  Quite frankly, the world can be a very scary place for him and also, due to his wheelchair, mostly unreachable. But a local accessible playground, would be a pure joy.

I have seen him in other towns, in their accessible playgrounds, and it’s an amazing sight to see.  He shines, giggles and is completely 100% himself. There is no disability and no limitations, just a 6 year old boy. It’s a place for him to swing.  A place for him to slide.  A place for him to play.  It would be his sanctuary, in the truest sense of the word.

Simply put, I believe all kids need to play. Yet for so many kids with disabilities like Callum, their days are spent with doctors, nurses and therapists and play is the last thing on the agenda; especially since most playgrounds are completely unusable for them anyway. However, with a fully accessible playground nearby, children like Callum can swing, slide and even climb  – which is literally something they may have never been able to do before.

Of course, the benefits of a fully accessible playground don’t stop with kids who have challenges. Able-bodied children learn and grow on accessible playgrounds by interacting with others who are in some ways different from them. Accessible playgrounds also allow parents and other adults with disabilities to play with their children – something that’s often not possible on at a traditional playground. All of this creates a community. One that is caring, strong and vibrant.

So what would a local accessible playground mean to us?  The same thing it means to all kids.  Play.  Something that should never be taken for granted and always fostered.

Sincerely,
Oliver Community Park Project (Randee Ede and Amanda Workman)