The City of Delta is set to break ground next month on a playground expansion at North Delta Recreation Centre.
Upgrades at the site will include the expansion, relocation and addition of play features in an environment that prioritizes and optimizes accessibility, according to a city press release, with new features such a rubber playground surface with tricycle track, a play boat and hut, a drum, a see-saw, an in-ground trampoline, a climbing structure, and a crawl-through acorn structure.
“The proposed playground will be fenced, have shade trees, picnic tables and benches for the comfort of adults as well as the rest of the family and caregivers. For the kids, they propose a circular track with rubber surfacing to allow rolling toys or wheelchairs. The equipment to be added is culturally and disability inclusive," Amy Bonner, a parent and recipient of Reach's services, said in a press release.
"My daughter, Olivia, used to rely on a walker for her mobility challenges, and inclusive playgrounds were crucial for her development. When she is able to keep up with her friends and little sister, it fills my heart with joy to see her independence blossoming. Watching her navigate the playground with determination and a beaming smile on her face reminds me of her incredible strength and resilience.”
Once complete, the new playground will be double the size of the existing one (which will remain in service during and after construction), tripling overall capacity at the site (from 18 to 54 kids).
The project is the result of a longtime partnership between the city and Reach Child and Youth Development Society, which has operated out of North Delta Recreation Centre since 2015.
After receiving a request from Reach to expand the facility's playground, the City of Delta launched a public engagement campaign to determine the project's scope. The results found the surrounding community was largely in favour of the proposed park features.
“As we work to create a more inclusive community, ensuring our public spaces are accessible for as many people as possible is a top priority. In working with our partners at Reach, we can construct a beautiful new playground outside one of our busiest facilities that suits the diverse needs of our community and creates a space where everyone can participate,” Mayor George Harvie said in a press release.
While the enhanced playground will be used partly for Reach and city programming, the public will have full access to the new equipment.
The project is expected to cost $400,000, with the city contributing $150,000 as well as the space and construction management. The rest of the funding will come from a provincial Community Gaming Grant ($201,372); money raised by Reach and donated by Tasty Indian Bistro and the BC Aboriginal Society ($68,000); and a BC Tire Stewardship grant ($21,420).
Construction will begin in early July, and completion is scheduled for fall of this year.
