Children gave top grades to a new playground which was officially opened this afternoon at Glen Stewart Elementary School.
This $191,500 project was made possible through the Canada-PEI Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund, a joint partnership between the federal and provincial governments and the Glen Stewart Greater Grounds Committee.
The “Eagle’s Nest Boundless Playground” provides the Town of Stratford and surrounding areas with a recreational facility which allows all children to play together in a challenging and inclusive environment.
“Canada’s New Government realizes that inclusive projects like this one benefit the entire community,” said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). “We are pleased to partner on a tremendous initiative that will contribute to the health and development of all children and their families in Stratford and the surrounding areas.”
“This new playground is an example of a community coming together, and performing at its best, to better the lives of our young people and provide an inclusive environment for our youth,” said the Honourable Carolyn Bertram, Minister of Communities, Cultural Affairs and Labour for PEI. “This playground promotes sport, recreation, community spirit and gives parents the added pleasure of knowing that their children can play on this equipment regardless of their ability.”
The community worked closely with the PEI Council of the Disabled and the Boundless Organization to ensure that all Island children could have fun on this new playground which houses specially designed equipment for users of all ability ranges. Ground coverings designed to absorb impact, interactive activity stations, socialization areas, wheelchair and other mobility assistance devices create an accessible environment for everyone. The Eagle’s Nest Boundless Playground is only the second of its kind in Canada.
“We are delighted that the government recognizes the importance of play equipment to the health and development of all children,” says Gordon Garrison, Chair of the Glen Stewart Greater Grounds Committee. “Through this infrastructure funding, we’ve been able to fulfill our vision of creating an inclusive, challenging, and attractive focal area in the community which will serve not only Stratford residents but attract families from across PEI.”
For more information about federal and provincial infrastructure initiatives in Prince Edward Island, visit www.infrastructure.gc.ca or www.gov.pe.ca/go/infrastructure.