Fun for everyone
Memorial playground now accessible to all children
DOMINION — It has been almost 25 years since Marcia Fiolek tragically died at age 10, but her dream not only still lives on, it continues to grow.
“The Marica Fiolek Memorial Playground is now accessible for all children of all abilities,” said mother Janine Fiolek. “There’s so many kids who can’t play in a playground and we’re going to make sure they can now.”
Marcia died on Feb. 22, 1996, five weeks after being diagnosed with leukemia. The little girl’s dream was to see a community playground.
“She started selling suckers with her classmates just to see a playground built,” Janine said. “They raised $400.”
After Marcia died, the community got together and a committee was formed. On Thanksgiving weekend in October 1997, the Marcia Fiolek Memorial Playground opened in her memory and over the years has attracted families from across the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.
The committee has continued to expand the park but now in a way more important than ever.
Last week, five pieces of new equipment were added including a teeter for the small children and even a
three- piece concerto at a cost of about $10,000, which includes a xylophone and drums.
“We want to make it a totally inclusive playground,” Janine said. “From now on, everything purchased for the playground will be accessible for all children.”
They also received two new benches and a wheelchair accessible picnic table.
“People have been amazing, the benches were donated and even trees for shade,” she added.
“The donations from the community have just been remarkable all through the years. It has turned into more of a park area. I can’t believe the people who spend the whole day there. It’s amazing.”
Four years ago the federal government provided $11,000 to the playground for refurbishing and making minor repairs. The playground committee raised funds doing everything from selling tickets on a tartan afghan to selling pizza and sending letters to community groups and businesses looking for support. The current equipment was refurbished and lights added.
The committee more recently received $10,000 through a community accessibility grant and $1,000 from the Dominion Credit Union, used towards the new equipment.
“Inclusive play spaces offer the opportunity for all children to play alongside one another,” Janine said. “All children deserve to be able to play and to be able to all play together.”
The playground provided a place for the children to go during the pandemic. There were times there were lineups at the slide.
Rylee Macneil, 5, granddaughter of long-time former park chair Cathy Macintyre, was enjoying playing with the new xylophone at the park during a visit this week.
"Yes, I like it, it’s fun,” she said while creating tunes. Macneil tried all the new equipment.
“I like the teeter the best cause it’s bouncy,” she added.
Now the committee is working on raising funds for a glider slide, which had proved difficult during a pandemic. The equipment is one piece and not only could a child in a wheelchair get on but the whole family and friends with them.
“It goes up and down like a swing, like a glider,” Janine said.
The cost of the equipment is $24,000, however, it also costs $20,000 for it to be installed.
Janine commended the committee for all they’ve done to create this playground as well, highlighting the former chair.
“Cathy is amazing, she spearheaded everything.”
Saturday, Dec. 5 would have been Marcia’s 35th birthday.
“We will be celebrating her birthday like we always do, with a birthday cake and singing Happy Birthday to her,” Janine said, adding the equipment came at the perfect time.
“Marcia would be so happy to see a playground where all children of all abilities are able to play together now.”