Kids in Yorkton have a new place to play. The new accessible play structure in Weinmaster Park has opened, giving kids of all ability a new place to play.
Lisa Washington with Community Development, Parks and Recreation says that the project has been in the works since 2011, and was one of the first major projects she was involved with since joining the department. She says people quickly got on board with the project, with parents and service groups coming on board to raise money and get the community involved.
The structure itself cost $300,000, with the added expense due to the unique requirements involved in building an accessible play structure, Washington says. One of the major expenses for the project was the soft ground cover, which allows mobility while also providing a safe place to land, which Washington says was one of the biggest costs in the project. The project was funded by the Community Initiatives Fund, groups like the Yorkton Kinsmen, events like the Yorkton Kids Expo, as well as saving money through the capital budget over three years. David Johnson, President of the Yorkton Kinsmen, says that they helped fund the project because it's something Yorkton didn't have before as well as something that the city needed given its size.
"When it comes to accessible stuff we were really falling behind, even if you just look at Yorkton's population it was bad, and when you look at people from surrounding areas that come here it was even worse, so it was a no-brainer."
The structure was needed in Yorkton, Washington says, and the benefits of it are clear, especially as families interact with it and each other now that it is in place.
"Everybody needs the opportunity to interact with others and play. Not just people in wheelchairs, not just children, everybody. There was a kid who was able to stand on the exterior with his grandpa on the ramp, and his grandson was able to play with the same things he was. It's a great opportunity for everyone to play together."
Caitlyn Hasper was one of the kids at the official opening of the structure. In a wheelchair herself, she was able to explore the structure on her own, something she would not be able to do on other structures. She has one word to describe the new addition to the city. "It's awesome!"
