Airdrie's first inclusive playground in Bayside Rise will be assembled on May 24 and 25.

While the old playground was torn down before winter, building the new playground was supposed to take place at the beginning of October, but when the City of Airdrie found a natural spring under the playground site, it was delayed.

According to Shelby Perrotta, the spring has now been taken care of and things are now back on the right track.

"Unfortunately, there just wasn't enough time left in the season to properly address the situation before the ground froze with winter approaching. Now the project will go ahead May 24 and 25." 

The project of an inclusive playground was spearheaded by Kayla McPhail and Perrotta. The idea was inspired by Bronson McPhail (son of Kayla) who has cerebral palsy. Unfortunately for Bronson, he is unable to play on any playgrounds in Airdrie because he has to use a wheelchair and would have to travel to neighbouring communities. This Inclusive playground will change that.

"The fact that he'll be able to get to a playground now in 10 minutes, it's amazing that he'll be able to have that access right in his own community."

This new playground will work for anybody with coordination or mobility issues, sensory issues and regulation challenges.

"By building a playground that is fully inclusive, everyone of all abilities will be able to not only access but functionally play at the inclusive playground with engaging features," stated Perrotta.

To learn more about Bronson and his story, click HERE.

"We're beyond excited for the construction of the playground. We're hopeful that this inclusive playground project serves as an essential example for raising the standards of what inclusion means in our community."

$85,000 has been contributed by the city while McPhail and Perrotta fundraised $104,000 for the playground.  Children’s Charity Variety has also helped significantly with fundraising.

Perrotta concluded that inclusiveness encourages access and inclusion for people of all abilities to effectively participate in and engage with all aspects of daily life.

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