As a grandmother of a wonderful grandchild with special needs who attends Alexandra School, I am writing from the heart to raise awareness about a challenge that affects so many of our children. Our school community is beautifully diverse, representing many ethnicities, religions, and a wide range of physical and developmental abilities. Sadly, the current playground does not allow many of these children to play safely or independently. Students who use mobility devices, who are on the autism spectrum, who are sensitive to sunlight, or who are low vision or hard of hearing often find the space inaccessible or overwhelming. Play should be joyful and inclusive, yet for many children at Alexandra School, it simply isn’t.

The Playground Committee has already worked tirelessly and raised an incredible $25,000, but much more is needed to build a fully accessible playground. At this time, Owen Sound does not have a playground that meets true accessibility standards, often due to surfaces like rocks or wood chips and equipment that does not meet diverse sensory and physical needs. Any donation, no matter the size, brings us closer to creating a space where every child belongs. Your generosity can help give our children the inclusive play space they so deeply deserve.