New Playground Open at Legion Park with Several Accessible Features

The Town of Arnprior is pleased to announce that the new playground at Legion Park is now open to the public. The new structure features several accessible features including a rubberized play base that supports greater mobility and safety.

Funded in part through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) COVID-19 Resilience Stream, this park project, entitled Growing Outdoor Play, helped fund play structures and accessible enhancements at Legion Park and Caruso Park.

“We are thrilled to have this new addition to Legion Park,” said Mayor Lisa McGee. “We are thankful to our federal and provincial government partners for their funding contributions helping deliver this new park space that will support accessible and inclusive play in Arnprior.”

The Growing Outdoor Play at Legion Park project has prepared a climber that is ramp accessible with many interactive panels that are both auditory, tactile and imaginative play opportunities. The rubber base means that kids can easily get around with a variety of mobility devices and with the added 2 colours, kids can maneuver around the space using the 2 tones as part of a game. The inclusive swing seat allows kids to swing with their friends and family, while being fully supported. A fully accessible pathway system has been installed allowing at grade access to all play amenities and connects the new features with both entry points to the park at Edey Street and Wilfred Crescent.

“This project has been years in the works and adds tremendous play value to Legion Park and our community,” said Director of Recreation, Graeme Ivory. “Over the past 4 years, Legion Park has been transformed into a true community park. With the Sullivan Rink of Dreams and these new park features, Legion Park is now a wonderful destination for outdoor play in Arnprior.”

The Town of Arnprior thanks CSL Group, Jp2g and Playground Planners for their efforts in delivering these new amenities to serve our growing community.

More investments into outdoor spaces continues in 2024 with work on Fairview Park, Marshall’s Bay Meadows Park and CN Trail Park that are all set to begin later this summer along with design work on the revitalization of Robert Simpson Park.

Growing Outdoor Play at Legion Park

The Town of Arnprior submitted two applications under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) COVID-19 Stream in 2021 – Growing Outdoor Play at Legion Park and Growing Outdoor Play a Caruso Park. The Town was the successful recipient for funding on both parks receiving $129,797 for Legion Park and $59,486 for Caruso Park with the Federal Government contributing 80% of the grant funding and the Provincial Government providing 20% support.

Over half a million dollars in upgrades were made to these two park spaces ($546,452) with the balance of support coming from the Town’s Parkland Reserves Fund and from Development Charges.

The Importance of Play

Play is a critical part of physical, emotional, mental and social development for EVERY child. Especially for children with disabilities, play is therapy – both physical and emotional. On the physical side, children’s muscles need to be exercised just like anyone else’s. And most importantly, on the emotional side, children need to interact and socialize with their peers. Simply put, kids need to play with other kids.

Of course, the benefits of fully accessible playgrounds 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.

Every way you look at it, accessible playgrounds help break social barriers, and become an environment where everyone learns to respect and understand each other. And those are the kinds of lessons that can last a lifetime.