Highland Park elementary in Pitt Meadows will be getting a new accessible playground with $105,000 from the province.
Funding for the new playground comes the new Playground Equipment Program, announced last May by Premier John Horgan and Minister of Education Rob Fleming.
The program provides up to $5 million each year to school districts to purchase new or replacement playgrounds. This year, 20 schools are receiving $90,000 for a standard playground, and 30 schools are receiving $105,000 for a universally-accessible playground.
“All children should have access to playgrounds that are safe and fun,” said Pitt Meadows-Maple Ridge MLA Lisa Beare. “This funding fulfills our commitment to support parents and students who were previously burdened with fundraising for playgrounds. Time on the playground will help students focus more in the classroom.”
In the past, school parent councils would fundraise for new playground equipment, and schools without that capability were left without modern ones.
Beare added that playgrounds are important for children’s development and learning as they encourage outdoor physical activity, help students learn how to share, work together, overcome challenges and be creative.
The playgrounds will be built over the next six months and are expected to be ready for kids to play on in fall 2019.
For the full list of new playgrounds click here.
ncorbett@mapleridgenews.com
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