New inclusive playground

By Melissa Crispin-Piche Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Students returning to Wheatland Elementary School last week had something new waiting for them outside.

A new inclusive playground has been installed at the school with equipment and surfacing designed to make play more accessible for children with different mobility needs.

Principal Emily Garrioch said the project grew from something students had already been asking for and became possible following a successful casino fundraiser by the school’s parent advisory council.

“Having some more playground equipment was something the kids have been advocating for for a while, and so when we did so well with our casino, we decided to put the money toward the playground and then it just kind of rolled from there making it more accessible,” Garrioch said.

The playground was funded through money generated by the parent council’s casino held last fall. The council approved using those funds for new playground equipment and Garrioch took the lead on moving the project forward.

Accessibility became an important part of the planning because the playground serves more than just students during school hours. 

“The community uses our playground on the weekend as well and we also have students with accessibility needs, so we wanted something that was more inclusive for them,” Garrioch said.

The new playground includes an accessible swing and a surface that makes it easier for children using wheelchairs or walkers to move through the area.

Students and families also had a say in what the finished playground would look like. Options were shared through the school’s social media and students were able to vote on the playground they wanted. Families and the school community were also involved in choosing its colours.

“The kids and the community and our families were able to pick the colours of the playground,” Garrioch said.

The equipment was supplied by Blue Imp, which offers playground designs that can be customized depending on the needs of a school or community.

“They have tons of options, and they can do all sorts of cool things and have lots of different swings and slides and you name it,” Garrioch said. “You can kind of customize what you want to fit your needs.”

Garrioch said the school had also been in contact with a local inclusive committee that has been discussing the need for more accessible recreational equipment in Strathmore. The school wanted the committee to know about the project because the playground is available to the wider community outside school hours.

For Garrioch, the goal was ultimately simple: give more children a place where they can play together.

“We just wanted something that worked for all of our students and promoted inclusivity within the community and also it was something new for our kids to have for the school year,” she said.

The school is also hoping to celebrate the new addition with a grand opening during its welcome back barbecue.