Richmond could consider pursuing a “Magical Bridge” playground, which helps bridge the barriers often faced by children with disabilities.
However, the playground would cost Richmond a minimum of nearly $2 million to build, according to a city staff report, which also notes that the playground would require a site of at least 0.75 acres – larger than the current 0.5-acre playground at Steveston Community Park.
A Magical Bridge playground is a playground that is accessible for all children, including those with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities.
The report, which will be discussed at the May 26 parks, recreation and cultural services committee meeting, is in response to a referral motion made by city council in December 2019, after a co-founder of the Jennifer and Gregory Louie (JGL) Foundation for Cerebral Palsy spoke to council about the fully-inclusive playground.
“So many kids and families often feel like they are outsiders and excluded,” said Jennifer Louie at the time, adding that there aren’t as many programs or facilities for them to access.
She said at the time that so-called “inclusive playgrounds” in Metro Vancouver are not really all-inclusive, because children with disabilities aren’t able to fully interact with their peers or access the equipment.
A Magical Bridge playground in Palo Alto, CA, includes a swinging zone, music zone, “kindness corner” and stage, according to the city staff report, as well as specialized equipment such as a custom, two-storey wheelchair accessible playhouse.
It’s considered the flagship playground of the California-based non-profit, the Magical Bridge Foundation, which provides consulting and design services for communities interested in building inclusive playgrounds.
Magical Bridge playgrounds are also attended to by “kindness ambassadors” – middle and high school student volunteers who help visitors feel welcome and included.
However, this means additional staff resources would be needed, according to the city staff report, if the city pursues a Magical Bridge playground. The playground would also cost Richmond at least $1.9 million with design services charged as a percentage of the total construction costs, and require a minimum of 0.75 acres.
“This funding and land allocation is beyond what is typical for the city's neighbourhood, community, or city-wide playground programs and would require additional capital funding and land commitments,” reads the report.
Currently, the city includes a “range of play opportunities” for children of various ages and abilities, including those with physical, cognitive and sensory disabilities, according to the report. These features may include, for example, outdoor musical instruments, interactive panels, spinners, and wheelchair accessible platforms.
There are about 60 playgrounds in Richmond which range in size and cost, from $200,000 for smaller neighbourhood playgrounds to around $1 million for the Terra Nova Park Playground, although that was partially funded by the federal grant.
The Steveston Community Park Playground renewal project was also developed with inclusive play in mind, according to the report.
