Requesting support for a wheelchair-accessible play space at Shirley Macey Park – 930 Chamberlin Road in Gibsons
UPCOMING!
- Community Information Meeting hosted by Sheila, Larissa and the SCRD Parks Department—Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at 6pm at Eric Cardinall Hall, Shirley Macey Park
- Please join us for a “Family Dance” Fundraiser for our play park on Saturday, July 18 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm at Shirley Macey Park, Eric Cardinall Hall! Tickets are $5.00 per person or by donation and can be purchased at the door. For tickets in advance please send an email to the Stevensons, our hosts of this event at with Family Dance Fundraiser in the subject line. Please invite everyone you know and come and dance with your son or daughter to support our accessible play park!
WHY?
There are no public playgrounds in Grantham’s or Hopkin’s Landings, requiring a growing number of families in the area to drive to playgrounds elsewhere.
Many of our Sunshine Coast playgrounds have a pea-gravel base which is impossible to traverse on wheels. It is important to promote accessibility as we develop our community for the future.
HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?
The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) is providing space, land preparations costs, manpower to assemble the equipment, plus future maintenance. We are turning to the businesses and residents of the Sunshine Coast to help raise the rest of the funds. We are applying for grants, organizing fundraiser events and continuing to request support from our community members. This playground will happen!
In spite of the snow on Dec. 17/08, the Blackfish Pub fundraiser successfully raised $1288.50! A huge thanks goes out to Steph and the staff at the Blackfish, helpers Mark, Mary and Charlotte, and these silent auction merchandise contributors:
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We have over $112,200 in donations thanks to the Blackfish pub fundraiser, Wheatberries Christmas cookie promotion, coin can collections and financial contributions from:
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We've been inspired to expand the proposed project to include a modest water feature, a multi-sensory maze garden with ‘please-touch-and-climb’ sculpted art and native plant species, sand play area, wheelchair-accessible paths, viewing decks and picnic tables, and rejuvenation of bog, with child-friendly interpretive signage throughout.
Play space rendering - click here to enlarge image
Playground equipment purchased - click here to enlarge image
This equipment offers challenges for all levels of ability.
Components compliant with American Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessibility Guidelines:
- pour-in-place rubber surfacing
- infinity web with rope climber
- wheelchair transfer station
- wide steel slide
- animal crawl-thru panel
- tap-a-tune reach panel
- rainy days weather station
- bongo panel
- vehicle reach panel
- periscope panel
- ladybug spring rider
- therapeutic rings
- arched chain climber
- 7-station play factory (moving gears, talk tubes...)
Other components: - red quantum slide
- bumblebee spring rider
- telescope panel
Thank you to Jan Poynter for progress poster displayed at Shirley Macey Park.
(photo below taken on June 2/08 - Thanks toWayne from AC Electronics for installing the sign at the park for us! Twice!)
Proposed location of playground equipment at Shirley Macey
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
- To make a donation, call Sheila at 604-886-0766 (email sheila_k_ba@hotmail.com) or Larissa at 604-886-9887 (email hsiawilcock@hotmail.com) with ‘playground’ in the subject line. The SCRD will issue tax letters for donations of $100 or more. Please make cheques payable to the SCRD.
- Donations can also be made directly to the SCRD at Gibsons & Area Community Centre or Sechelt Aquatic Centre with cash or cheque, or at the SCRD Office, 1975 Field Rd. with cash, cheque, or credit card.
- Call Sheila (604-886-0766) to pick up your Super Valu or Gibsons Marketplace IGA till tape receipts.
- Make a commitment to raise funds. There are many ways to raise funds—ask co-workers, family, friends, neighbours, off-coast family and friends; request donations in lieu of birthday gifts (thanks to three coastal kids who have already made this sacrifice!); host a car wash, bake sale, yard sale, art sale, lemonade stand, bottle drive, prize raffle, silent auction, car rally, swim-a-thon, toy sale, book sale; clean someone’s house or yard, cash in bottles or—you get the idea! Contact us if you can help.
- Pass word on to others who may be able to donate funds or volunteer.
Thanks to you this play space will happen!