Two Richmond streets will be temporarily shut down to make way for safe play areas, designed by local kids for local kids.
Starting Saturday, Feb. 24, kids will get to play on Ketcheson Road and Abercrombie Drive on select days thanks to an initiative called "Play Streets."
The streets will be transformed into safe outdoor play areas for several hours with play offerings, elements and programming including bikes, scooters, badminton and chalk.
The program, organized by the Society for Children and Youth in B.C., aims to work with kids to provide a low-impact and low-cost way to reduce their exposure to pollution and promote safe streets and sustainable modes of transportation.
It also hopes to support social connections and community building, explained project coordinator Zoe Howell.
Through co-design workshops, young people were able to scrutinize the streets to be used and participate in the planning process.
The Richmond News reported last year that the Society for Children and Youth in B.C. received a $15,000 grant to work with the City of Richmond and launch the project.
Play Streets will be taking place on the following days:
- Feb. 24 (Saturday) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Ketcheson Road, east of Hazelbridge Way
- March 9 (Saturday) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Abercrombie Drive, east of Minoru Boulevard
- March 13 (Wednesday) from 3:30 to 5 p.m.: Ketcheson Road, east of Hazelbridge Way
- March 20 (Wednesday) from 1 to 3 p.m.: Abercrombie Drive, east of Minoru Boulevard
- With files from Maria Rantanen.
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