Lee Ridge Park Welcomes All-Abilities Playground

Wheel chair ramps, soft recycled surfaces and wheelchair accessible picnic tables are a few of the special features of the complete Lee Ridge Playground Redevelopment Project. Planning and fundraising for this new and improved playground facility began in 2010, construction finally began this summer and now the park is ready for playtime!

“By engaging the community we have learned that we need a playground that has greater accessibility, features that will increase play value and opportunities for all ages,” stated the Lee Field Community League, part of the Lee Ridge Redevelopment Committee.

The City of Edmonton’s Neighbourhood Park Development Program helped the Lee Ridge Redevelopment Committee get the project off of the ground. Resident input, countless volunteer hours and a ‘Buy a Brick’ fundraising campaign made this $500,000 state-of-the-art playground a reality.

The neighbourhood kids got to test out the new equipment at the grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting event. The new playground features recycled rubber surfaces that are soft and functionally accessible for people in wheel chairs, toddlers, elders and children of all ages. A handicap swing, saucer swing, musical instruments and other sensory items, dual slides and spinners all contribute to the park’s all-abilities design.

“I went to Lee Ridge a long time ago. It’s a big difference from the old giant tires we used to play in!” shared a former student of Lee Ridge School.

Neighbourhood parks and playgrounds are one of the most important public places for child development. They allow children to use their imaginations, stay physically active and socialize with other children. It’s important for communities take advantage of these neighbourhood hubs and make sure they are accessible for all ages and abilities.

That is exactly what this proactive community has done.