West Sechelt’s newest accessible playground is having a grand opening this Saturday, June 28, at 2 p.m. — and you’re invited.
It’s taken four years of fundraising and the help of hundreds of volunteers to make the park a reality, and now the playground committee wants to celebrate with the community that made it possible.
“We’re so thankful for the support of the amazing people on the Sunshine Coast. Over the years we’ve had so much help to make this dream a reality. From the people who put their pennies into the donation bins to those who gave thousands, and the amazing community members who donated their time, talents and labour, this is a playground built by the community for the community,” West Sechelt Playground Enhancement Committee Chair Susan Shinn said.
“That’s why we engraved one of the panels at the playground to say ‘Play 4 All – It takes a community,’ to honour the people who made it possible. Our committee steered the ship but the community made it move.”
The new playground at West Sechelt Elementary School (5609 Mason Road) now has an ocean-themed rubberized ground cover to make it accessible and safe, as well as three slides, two sit-and-spin cups, talking tubes, sensory play panels (including music, Braille and sign language panels) a stand up teeter-totter, a tandem bouncer, a large playhouse and low bars and rings.
The playground committee also moved the old high bars from the playground to the other end of the field to allow for more room to play safely.
“In the future we’ll add a natural playground in the middle to connect the two areas but for now we’re just looking forward to celebrating the achievement of raising $114,000 and building an accessible place for everyone to play in West Sechelt,” Shinn said.
The public is invited to come to the grand opening at the school for the official ribbon cutting and speeches before cake and refreshments are served.
Following the short ceremony, the park will be opened for the public to explore.
Find out more about the playground project online at www.westsecheltplayground.com or connect with the West Sechelt Playground Enhancement Committee on Facebook.
