Five things about Regina’s new inclusive playground in Glencairn

Shouts of excitement and joy could be heard in Glencairn Park on Wednesday at the opening of a new inclusive playground and spray pad.

The new facilities were created through a collaboration between the City of Regina and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.

It opened to the public Wednesday morning with music, pizza, snacks and games for the kids.

It’s a beautiful morning in Glencairn at the new Jumpstart Playground and Spray Pad. pic.twitter.com/elijD6W9o7

— Nicole Garn (@garnnic) September 27, 2023

Here are five things to know about the inclusive park:

Accessible features

Notable features that make the park different from others include:

• The sidewalk and the structure’s surface meet for smooth access. There is also a visible differentiation between where the playground starts and the sidewalk ends;
• A roller slide that doesn’t generate static electricity, designed to help those with cochlear implants;
• Transfer stations for easy swing and Sway Fun access;
• A cozy dome for children with autism who enjoy solitary play and a more quiet environment;
• Double-wide ramps for wheelchairs; and
• Educational posters about braille and sign language.

The double-wide ramp is an important feature of the park. Children like Milda Mooku, who uses a walker, can easily get up and down thanks to the extra space. The cozy dome is on the left, where children with sensory issues can play in a more quiet space. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

Accessibility has become a focus for all levels of government. The Saskatchewan government, for example, continues to improve accessibility at provincial parks and has taken steps to make walking paths more welcoming to people with mobility issues.

An accessible playground also recently opened in Martensville.

What defines an accessible park?

Glenn McLean, the regional manager with Jumpstart, said accessibility starts with simply being able to get into the playground.

“Depending on the disability a child may have, (it’s important) they’re able to make their way onto the playground and all different components,” he said.

Jumpstart relies on expert advice to determine what features are added to the playgrounds.

“We’ve done a number of these across Canada and as these go in, you learn more and more,” McLean said.

Jumpstart takes into account the many different needs and interests of children. Things as simple as colour and texture were all chosen with a purpose.

Who is the park for?

McLean said the park is for anyone and everyone.

“The different components will meet different needs, but it really meets all needs. Even if a child doesn’t have a disability, they’re going to enjoy this playground. It’s just for everyone,” he said.

Whether a child has mobility, hearing or sight issues, there is something for them at this park.

“There’s something for everyone here and that’s the beauty of it,” he said,

At the end of the day, it’s for the kids, but parents and guardians are encouraged to join in on the fun too.

Cost and length of project

The facility cost $1.6 million. Jumpstart and its donors covered $1.2 million of the cost and the City of Regina covered the difference.

According to McLean, projects like this are initiated by donors. Once they showed interest, Jumpstart got in touch with the City of Regina.

“The collaboration has been a wonderful opportunity to get this in the ground this year and get the kids playing on it,” he said.

The big bucks came from Jumpstart donors and Canadian Tire store owners Mario Coccimiglio and François Bien. They made a significant contribution.

Once the park is built, Jumpstart hands ownership and maintenance responsibilities over to the city.

McLean said this was one of the faster builds. He estimates it took only 18 months from idea to finished product.

Reviews from the kids

Although it was only Day 1 of the park, the kids give it a big thumbs up.

Mohomed Ali was laughing all morning.

“I love playing with my friends,” he said.

Milda Mooku said her favourite part about the park was the we-go-round, a spin on the classic merry-go-round.

The fan favourite structure at the park is the we-go-round. It’s a spin on the classic merry-go-round. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)

The structure is level with the ground for easy access.

Mooku has a walker that helps her move around the park. She likes the we-go-round because she’s able to sit down on it. It also picks up speed.

“It goes really fast,” she said.

She is also a fan of the educational posters.

“It has sign language alphabets,” she said.

Milda Mooku (middle) with her friends at the new park. Behind her are educational posters that teach children about sign language. (Nicole Garn/980 CJME)