Duclos Builds a Playground for All Kids

New playground aims to include kids of all abilities

“It’s a playground being built for easy access by all children; including and especially for children with special needs,” Principal of Duclos Elementary School in Bonnyville, Richard Cameron is excited with the announcement of the new playground being built in the school year. The playground is designed to be inclusive, explains the Principal, “it’s certainly not going to be exclusive – it’s very inclusive and it’s for all kids.”

What’s unique about the playground is not matter a child’s mobility, he or she will be able to enjoy the park, “it’s going to be accessible. Where if a child may be in a wheelchair or have some difficulties with mobility, they are going to be able to easily access this area, where the playground is. They will also be able to easily get in or out or on or off the different kind of playground equipment.”

Building the playground with a Duclos initiative, says the Principal, “we started thinking about it last winter. We certainly wanted to know what kind of funding we can access to make it happen,” the Principal explains there has not been any Government funding, as of yet. Portions of the park have been paid for through fundraising, and donations. There are still some money needed to complete the funding. “We didn’t know what the total price would be until we looked at what pieces we needed and wanted. There is no specialized funding. We’re going to be doing our own fundraising over time and accessing any funding source; including grants that may be available for building accessible playgrounds.”

The playground may be in the early stages of being funded, but it is not in the early phases of being completed. Principal Cameron says they expect kids to be playing on the new equipment after the Thanksgiving break. “It’s getting built today,” laughs the Principal, “it should be completed in about four days. It’ll be done by Saturday this week.”

The school took a lot of thought into designing the playground, “we consulted with the Glen Rose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton for advice and encouragement to help choose pieces that best meet kids’ needs for access and for sensory stimulation. We also consulted with our occupational therapist, who works with us at the school, for ideas.”

“Playground equipment can provide kids with a lot of different activities. That’s what we wanted, a variety and to include everyone. Every piece that we have allows for groups of kids to play together. So even those kids who might have some special needs, can still be there with other kids to socialize, to play and to interact.”