PRPA Helps Build Accessible Playground at Ecole Roosevelt Park Community School

PRPA Helps Build Accessible Playground at Ecole Roosevelt Park Community School

July 19, 2022

Children attending Ecole Roosevelt Park Community School and living in the surrounding neighbourhood have a brand-new playground to explore, with equipment designed to enable greater inclusivity and collaboration. The project was led by the Roosevelt Park Community School Parent Advisory Committee (PAC) in partnership with the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund. This marks the second time the two organizations have worked together to create a new community asset for the benefit of youth and families in Prince Rupert.

The new playground features several pieces of equipment that enable group play and offer children a range of different developmental opportunities, including: a We-Saw wheelchair-accessible see-saw that emphasizes motor planning; Curva and Saddle Spinners which support balance, equilibrium, and muscle tone; a Super Netplex which helps children focus on strategic planning and problem solving as they navigate up, down, and through the structure; and Oodle Swing which is designed to allow multiple children to play together at once. Another significant addition is the rubberized play surface, which allows people using strollers or mobility aids such as walkers or wheelchairs to safely move around and access the equipment.

“The new accessible playground encourages students of all ages and abilities to engage with one another and find new ways to play together, which will further enhance the positive and inclusive culture of our school,” said Karianne Pohl, Roosevelt Park Community School Parent Advisory Committee Treasurer. “The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s Community Investment Fund provided the support necessary to make this dream a reality and the entire school community is excited to see it come to fruition.”

“We are steadfastly committed to developing new play places for youth across the North Coast where they can safely explore, grow, and have fun,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO of the Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We commend the volunteers who have worked to build this new playground and look forward to seeing generations of children in the community create lasting memories playing here with their friends and family.”

PRPA committed $220,000 to this playground project. Since 2010, the Community Investment Fund has contributed more than $1.1 million to help develop new playgrounds and other outdoor youth recreation projects in several North Coast communities:

• Lax Kxeen Elementary School Accessible Playground – completed 2021
• Terrace Cycling Pump Track – completed 2020
• Conrad Elementary School Accessible Playground – completed 2019
• Port Edward Anne Neufeld Tot Park – completed 2019
• Doug Kerr Field Restoration – completed 2018
• Pineridge Elementary School Accessible Playground – completed 2018
• Mariners Park Tot Playground – completed 2017
• Roosevelt Park Community School Playground – completed 2014
• Metlakatla Sports & Recreation Field – completed 2014
• Charles Hays Secondary School Turf Replacement – completed 2013
• Port Edward Playground, Ball Field, and Park – completed 2012