A group of citizens under the name “Power of Play” has started the task of fundraising with the goal to make town parks fully accessible.
Andy and Jackie Speers and Kirsty Coles are members of the group that has set its sights on making the wedge-shaped park known as Stait Park, bounded by Garafraxa and John streets, fully accessible for children with any disabilities.
The park is the first venture the group has taken on with plans to expand it to include all of Centre Wellington’s parks.
“Centre Wellington currently has 22 parks,” a News release issued by the group states. “There is not one that is accessible. All parks and climbers need to be made available to all children and family members to use.”
Andy Speers said the group will start its fundraising efforts with a bake sale and garage sale at the park on Aug. 11.
“We’re looking at fundraising $150,000 for this park,” he said. “It’s not going to cost the township anything.”
He said the group has already had interest from four companies interested in designing the park and has picked up a $10,000 commitment from a local rubber manufacturing company.
Speers said he doesn’t blame the township for not upgrading its parks, noting the cost for such work would be high. He also noted there are no provincial regulations yet to mandate that community parks be made fully accessible. The provincial government has mandated full accessibility of all municipally-owned buildings such as libraries.
However, the group has been in contact with the township about its plans and was told any work must meet current safety standards. An aging climber in the park and swing set will be replaced as part of the project.
“The township said if you’re redoing the park it has to be by code,” Speers said.
He has made presentations to some service groups as part of the fundraising drive.
“We’re really wanting the community to jump in,” he said. “Businesses are mulling it over to become part of this.”
In conjunction with the Aug. 11 fundraiser, the group will be erecting a sign at the park that will eventually act as an information billboard where fundraising will be tracked and sponsors’ names added.
“It’s to symbolize the community coming together on the project,” he said.
The group is also looking for input on how the park should be designed and what kinds of playground equipment should be included.
“Recent polls have shown that parks are a priority in our community,” the group’s News release stated. “Updating and creating inclusive structures is important to keeping our children safe and allowing them to explore and develop through play. We need to come together as a community to raise some money to make the refurbishment of our parks happen.”
Speers said people interested in donating baked goods for the Aug. 11 fundraiser or who have household items for the garage sale can contact him via email at andy.speers@ugdsb.on.ca or contact Coles at kirsty@kirstycoles.com.
The group will also pick up baked items or donated items prior to the fundraiser.
Speers is also looking for teams to enter a planned ball hockey tournament Sept. 21 to 23. Those interested in entering a team can contact Speers.
