Photo courtesy of: Township of Selwyn
A new barrier-free playground designed to give children of all abilities a place to play together has officially opened at Ennismore Waterfront Park.
Community members, families, donors and project partners gathered Friday to celebrate the grand opening of Jude’s Joy Inclusive Playground, the first barrier-free playground in Selwyn Township.
The project was developed through a partnership involving the Ennismore Optimist Club, Jude’s Joy and Selwyn Township.
It received a $145,300 Capital grant from the Ontario government through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, while more than $200,000 was raised through community fundraising, donations and in-kind contributions.
The playground features poured-in-place rubber surfacing and adaptive equipment intended to make the space accessible to children and youth with different abilities.
Features include an accessible merry-go-round, ground-level sensory elements and a layout designed to encourage children, parents and other generations to enjoy the space together.
“This playground is so much more than a place to play,” said Selwyn Township Mayor Sherry Senis. “It is a place where everyone is welcome, where children of all abilities can participate together, and where families and community members can create lasting memories.”
Accessibility improvements have also been made throughout the surrounding area of Ennismore Waterfront Park.
Those include an accessible parking lot, improved washroom accessibility, pathways and an access mat leading to the water. Accessible benches and picnic tables have also been installed.
Peterborough-Kawartha MPP Dave Smith joined the community for Friday’s opening and said the project demonstrates what can be accomplished when residents work together.
The project also received support from local businesses, organizations and residents through donations, in-kind contributions, employee donation-matching programs and community fundraisers.
Julie Grant, community leader for the Jude’s Joy project, said seeing families experience the finished playground was an important moment after the support received from across the community.
Additional amenities and improvements are planned for Ennismore Waterfront Park as the Township continues developing the waterfront space.
