| March 5, 2010 ACCESSIBLE PLAY SPACE OPENS AT BURNABY SCHOOL VANCOUVER– Children, parents and caregivers, living with mobility impairments in Burnaby will now have access to a fully inclusive play space thanks to Let’s Play, a partnership of the Rick Hansen Foundation and the Province of British Columbia. Community members, school children and representatives of funding partners gathered at Maywood Community School today for the official opening of the play space, which was built to encourage shared play among children of all physical abilities. The play space also allows parents and caregivers with physical disabilities to be nearby and play with their children. “Playgrounds like these help create play spaces where every young child or caregiver with a physical disability can participate, have fun, and spend valuable, active time with their families,” said Burnaby MLA Richard T. Lee on behalf of Education Minister Margaret MacDiarmid. “The Province is proud to support a Let’s Play accessible play space for Burnaby that ensures accessibility for all children, making British Columbia a more inclusive place for everyone.” The play space at Maywood Community School is one of 47 across the Province supported by the Let’s Play initiative, which offers grants for the creation of accessible, public play spaces for young children and their caregivers with physical disabilities and builds awareness about accessible play and related best practices. Government provided funding of $2.5 million for play space grants of up to $50,000. The play spaces provide inclusive play environments that offer children with mobility impairments the same opportunities for physical activity and social interaction as their peers. "Thank you to everyone who contributed to making this project a reality," said Rick Hansen, President and CEO of the Rick Hansen Foundation. "The play space at Maywood Community School is a terrific example of a committed group of people coming together to make our communities more accessible and inclusive for all. I am excited to see the creation of this play space and others like it across British Columbia that will benefit children and caregivers in our communities for many years to come.” Rick Hansen Foundation Ambassador Steve Grout was on hand to speak to the children and help with the ribbon-cutting. Maywood Community School Principal Susan Montabello said that the addition of the new play space is another positive step for a school that prides itself on its diversity and inclusivity. “Our school is the centre of community life in the Metrotown area,” said Montabello, “and we work hard to respond to the needs of our community. Every child deserves the opportunity to play with their friends, and this play space will ensure that every child is included.” Montabello said the new play space will benefit children at the school – including pre-school aged children participating in the school’s StrongStart BC Centre – as well as children from the wider community. Maywood Community School is located in the densely populated Metrotown area of Burnaby. Funding for the project was also provided by the City of Burnaby and the South Burnaby Neighbourhood House. The Rick Hansen Foundation, a registered charitable organization, provides the leadership to create more accessible and inclusive communities for people with a spinal cord injury, and supports the search for a cure. The Foundation achieves its goals by connecting the people and resources that make innovation possible. Let’s Play works closely with Schools In Motion, a part of the Rick Hansen School Program which is now in 575 schools in British Columbia including Maywood Community School. Let’s Play is administered by the Rick Hansen Institute, a national collaboration that is committed to minimizing disability and maximizing the quality of life for Canadians living with spinal cord injury. Let’s Play fits perfectly with the Institute’s mandate of providing solutions and promoting best practices that lead to powerful quality of life improvements. For more information on Let’s Play, please visit www.rickhansen.com/letsplay or contact Helene Rasmussen, hrasmussen@scisolutionsnetwork.ca, 604-707-2106. -30- |
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