Kiwanis plan accessible playground

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This article was published 18/01/2021 (1933 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Kiwanis Club of Brandon has set its sights on a complete refurbishment of the Laurence and Louise Playground this year.

The rudimentary structures at the east end park will be replaced with more elaborate and accessible equipment.

Although the equipment makes up most of the estimated $325,000 project cost, the team of volunteers are also planning sweeping changes for what they consider an under-utilized tract of city parkland.

Brimming with enthusiasm, project lead Frank Thomas said their goal is to get rolling as early as possible this spring.

The project “fits like a glove,” he said, adding that the Kiwanis always put kids and community as their top priorities.

“This is a really exciting project for Kiwanis,” fellow member Hamid Mumin said, adding that he is particularly proud to see everything made as accessible as possible.

A special underlayment will be installed that’s soft enough to cushion falls but dense enough that wheelchairs can roll over it.

Equipment will be wheelchair accessible, and special consideration will be made for children with other needs, such as those with autism.

Thomas said Kiwanis members surveyed Riverview School students between grades 7 and 11 to learn what they’d like to see included in the park renewal.

From that, they learned they’d like a soccer net, basketball hoop, sandbox and large rocks to play on.

They also plan on using whatever soil is excavated to make room for the new playground equipment base to pile onto an existing mound on the park for use as a toboggan hill.

Picnic tables, a seniors area and other special features are planned for the park, though the community gardens at its south end will remain in place.

Finances will ultimately dictate what parts of their ambitious plan they will be able to accomplish this year.

The City of Brandon is contributing $150,000 toward the project, but the other $175,000 will come from grants and fundraising.

The hope, Thomas said, is that the grant applications they’re sending in bear fruit because fundraising has been out of the question during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They’d usually hold a bike auction, Kiwanis Kar Derby and deliver posters for major events, but none of these things have been able to take place in recent months.

The accessible playground equipment — the park’s centrepiece — will come first, Thomas said, adding that while they can make various other additions over the course of multiple stages over time, the dream is to get it all done this year.

“When we put our name on something, we want it done right.”

Now is a great time to do it, Mumin said, adding that it will offer the neighbourhood “good news in bad times” to help lift their spirits and give them something to do.

Thomas said those interested in helping make the park a reality can phone him at 204-724-5749 or contact the club online at kiwanisclubofbrandon.ca.

» tclarke@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @TylerClarkeMB