ÉCOLE ROBB ROAD SCHOOL'S NEW INCLUSIVE PLAYGROUND PROJECT

Help to support École Robb Road Elementary in creating a universally designed and inclusive playground for all students. Our vision of a fully inclusive play space which will appeal to all skill levels and will be exciting for everybody is going to have a high price tag. While the Playground Equipment Program (PEP) grant will provide some funding down the road, this funding will not be enough. Our goal is to raise an additional $250,000 through grants and fundraising too ensure the new playground features pour-in-place rubber surfacing, natural play elements, and equipment that caters to all abilities and preferences. This project is crucial as it will foster learning, growth, and socialization for children of all abilities, allowing them to play together. Your donations, shares, and involvement will bring us closer to creating a beautiful, barrier-free playground that benefits every child at École Robb Road and the surrounding community. Every contribution counts, and your support will make a real difference in the lives of our children.

*photo of inspiration

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

Each year SD 71 applies for the Playground Equipment Program (PEP) grant for one specific school in the district, and École Robb Road Elementary (ERR) is next. If the grant is successful, ÉRR will receive funding in the spring of 2025 to replace one of the existing playgrounds in the summer of 2025. This grant is very exciting as it provides ÉRR with an opportunity to elevate our children’s play experiences, but it isn't enough to create a an accessible and inclusive play space for everybody.

LET’S BE INCLUSIVE

The PEP grant provides schools with funding to replace outdated playgrounds with ones that are universally designed. Universal design aims to create environments with fewer physical barriers (surfacing) while still having a range of activities to excite and challenge people of all ages and abilities. This allows all users to be able to enjoy the space.

Universally designed playgrounds feature a range of adventure-style equipment suitable for all elementary-aged students, regardless of ability. A key feature of these playgrounds is the soft, rubber surfacing, which is mobility aid friendly. The PEP grant specifies that to meet the range of students’ needs in designing playgrounds to include every child, school districts should consider all physical, mental, intellectual, learning, communication and sensory differences—or functional limitations—whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature. They specify that interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation. The recommendations for building an inclusive playground according to the PEP suggest that equipment is to be permanently fixed on a school site and include appropriate ground cover for fall protection, improved access, and increased mobility.

*photo of inspiration

VISION and GOALS:

While the PEP grant provides ÉRR with a substantial amount of money ($195,000), it will not cover the full cost of playground equipment, accessible or otherwise. Additional fundraising will be necessary. The playground committee is determined to raise as much as possible to elevate the play experience for current and future kids which includes upgrading the play structure surface.

Through research and lived experience, we have determined that pour in place rubber is the most universally inclusive surfacing. This type of surfacing, requires the least amount of maintenance and is the safest for children’s fall protection. Our aim is to build our new playground exclusively with this material. Most of our local playgrounds include an accessible rubber surface component, which often immediately gets covered in the adjacent bulk mulch, thereby making it unusable for anyone in a wheelchair or mobility challenges. With inclusion, health and play in mind we are dreaming bigger and hope you will too.

Our aim is to prevent isolated areas by planning ahead and aiming to be fully inclusive; as these style playgrounds play a crucial role in today’s world. These spaces are not just for play, they foster learning, growth and socialization for all children. The principle of inclusion focuses on providing diverse play options that cater to different abilities and preferences, allowing children of all abilities to play together.

*photo of inspiration

PLANS:

Staff input has highlighted the desire to consider the surrounding green space for current and future plans. We would love to make this a reality and include some natural play elements surrounding the new playground build.

We are in the initial phase of planning. Based on recent comparable projects and, consultation with industry professionals, our hope is to raise around $250,000 through fundraising and grants. A price breakdown and vision for our goal will follow soon. The committee will be seeking child, staff and input in hopes of creating a play space that challenges every skill level, provides fun, inclusion and adventure for every child who enrols at ÉRR.

At present, our main priority, as advised by the district, is to start fundraising.

Here's how you can help:

1. Donate: Any contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to our goal. Every dollar counts, and your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of all children at École Robb Road and the surrounding community. **Tax free donations are eligible for donations over $1000, please contact the school.

2. Share: If you can't contribute financially, sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and on social media can help us reach a wider audience. The more people who know about our cause, the closer we get to making it a reality.

3. Get involved! If you have ideas or would like to contribute in some other way, please email the playground committee (details here: https://robbroadplayground.webflow.io/)

Thank you for helping us to achieve our dream of building a beautiful, barrier free and inclusive playground for École Robb Road!

This video highlights how inclusive playgrounds benefit EVERYBODY:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3H3BxvDkCM

PLEASE NOTE: ALL PHOTOS ABOVE OUR INSPIRATIONAL IMAGES AND DO NOT REFLECT ACTUAL PLAYGROUND PLANS.