Valleycliffe Elementary School celebrated a special occasion on a rainy Sept. 26 with the unveiling of its first piece of accessible playground equipment—a swing designed for children of all abilities.
The new swing, the first of its kind in the Valleycliffe neighbourhood, is designed to ensure accessibility for all. A pathway runs right next to the swing, allowing students who use wheelchairs to access it easily and independently.
According to Statistics Canada, in British Columbia, about 10% of children in schools have special needs, which can include physical, cognitive, and developmental challenges.
The Squamish event, attended by students, parents, and Coun. John French, included a ribbon-cutting ceremony by a young student and a tour of the school grounds. The project was made possible by donations from Tire Stewardship BC, the Whistler Blackcomb Foundation, and Woodfibre LNG.
Jennifer Kelly, vice chair of the Valleycliffe Elementary Parent Advisory Council (PAC), shared how the project came to life.
"We worked with students and staff to develop a plan to refresh our playground. After a tough time during COVID, the grounds were looking worn out, and we felt there was a need for more modern and accessible playground equipment. So, we put together a plan, wrote some grants, and were thrilled to win three, which allowed us to install a new, accessible, and inclusive swing," she said.
Kelly also talked about what motivated her to take on the project. "Valleycliffe has such a wonderful community spirit. We have amazing staff, parents, students, and neighbours who inspire us to take on big projects. Valleycliffe has a long history, from the wetlands to the vegetable garden and the annual fundraising to take kids to camp. Many people go above and beyond, and it’s really because of our beautiful community that we feel inspired to do this," she said.
The project took over two years to complete, from the initial idea to installation. Recent data from Accessibility Canada indicates that only one in 10 playgrounds in the country meet accessibility standards
"It’s wonderful to see the kids enjoying the swing after all the hard work," Kelly told The Squamish Chief.
The event was wrapped up with hot coffee, some snacks and a chance for children to jump on the new swing.
"The Valleycliffe community is so strong," Kelly said. "Our parents, teachers, and neighbours are dedicated to making these projects happen. We’re grateful for all the support and excited for what’s next."
Bhagyashree Chatterjee is The Squamish Chief’s Indigenous affairs reporter. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
