IN partnership with the City of Surrey, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities announced on Tuesday the plans to build a universally accessible playground in Unwin Park under Jumpstart’s Inclusive Playground Project. The playground structure will be a gift from Jumpstart to the City of Surrey as part of the Charity’s ‘Play Finds A Way’ movement, which focuses on removing accessibility barriers to sport and play.
“Our parks and playgrounds play a vital role in providing a fun, safe and welcoming environment for children,” said Surrey Mayor Doug McCallum. “This new inclusive playground is a welcome addition for our children and all members of our community for years to come. My thanks to the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities for this generous gift that will compliment Unwin Park’s universally accessible water park.”
“We are excited to work with the City of Surrey in providing a place where kids of all abilities can play together,” said Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “As we saw in 2018, the impact of Jumpstart Playgrounds on kids, families, and communities is profound, and we are proud to continue building a more inclusive Canada by providing accessible play.”
At up to 12,000 square feet, the new inclusive playground will be the largest in Surrey and will provide imaginative and accessible spaces where children of all abilities can play together. It will be the seventh playground built in Canada with the help of Jumpstart funding. This announcement follows the construction of playgrounds in Charlottetown, Toronto, Winnipeg, Prince Albert, and Calgary last year, with Saint John to break ground later this year.
Located in Surrey’s Newton community, spanning 36 acres, Unwin Park is a family-friendly community recreation hub, featuring baseball diamonds, cricket and soccer fields, lacrosse boxes, a basketball court, outdoor pool and water park, and is accessible by transit. A sample 3D rendering of the Jumpstart Playground can be viewed here.
Jumpstart’s ‘Play Finds A Way’ movement, with Canadian Tire Corporation’s ongoing fundraising commitment, is helping Canadian children overcome physical barriers to sport and play. The ‘Play Finds A Way’ movement is made up of three distinct programs: the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground Project, Jumpstart Accessibility Grants and the Parasport Jumpstart Fund. The five-year, $50 million fundraising commitment from Canadian Tire Corporation allows Jumpstart to focus funding efforts towards accessible playgrounds, infrastructure and programming to provide access to play and sport for children of all abilities.