Rotary Club to help build accessible playground at Happy Rolph’s

Farm-themed structure will become eighth accessible playground in St. Catharines

An accessible playground planned for St. Catharines that was going to be “good” is now expected to be “outstanding” thanks to a boost from Rotary Club of St. Catharines.

The service club is donating $95,000 towards the new playground at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm in celebration of the service organization’s 100th anniversary in May 2021.

Construction is expected to start that month at the Read Road attraction and be completed in August or September.

The playground will have a farm theme.

“Happy Rolph’s is highly regarded in the community, attracting a high volume of visitors who come to enjoy the beauty and amenities at the site,” said Terry Mcdougall, past-president of the Rotary club, while addressing St. Catharines council last week.

“Our club believes that providing a contribution to the upgrades in the playground area to make it fully accessible and inclusive, and complete the vision that your staff has planned so that all visitors can experience the park fully, is a legacy we can be proud of and pleased to support in recognition of our 100th anniversary.”

City council unanimously authorized a naming rights agreement for the playground, which will be named Rotary Club of St. Catharines’ Centennial Playground. The term of agreement is for 20 years.

Councillors also pre-approved $95,000 from the city’s Parks Legacy Fund for the 2021 capital budget to match the club’s donation.

The legacy fund was established in 2019 to leverage alternative sources of funding to maintain and sustain city parks. The fund provides matching dollars for community donations for parks projects.

Council had already approved $330,000 in the 2020 capital budget for Happy Rolph’s playground upgrades.

The addition of $95,000 from the Rotary club and the matching $95,000 from the city increases the funding envelope to $520,000 and will mean an accessibility loop can be built throughout the park. A hard surface will link the playground area, washrooms, animal pens and parking lot to make the area accessible for people using walkers and wheelchairs.

The additional funds will also allow the city to add a toddler play area, enhance the picnic area and add swings.

“The park itself is probably the most visited park in the city,” said Phil Cristi, director of community, recreation and culture services. “It is visited by not only our own residents, but residents throughout the region and outside the region.”

Cristi said the city gets compliments about amenities available at the park but the condition of the playground has been an issue and it was flagged for replacement several years ago.

Merritton Coun. Lori Littleton said parks are important to the fabric of the community but are very expensive to improve so initiatives like the one with Rotary should be encouraged.

“These kinds of partnerships are just so wonderful because now we’re going to have a park that was going to be good, is going to be outstanding and is truly going to be accessible for all members of our community,” Littleton said.

In March 2019 city council adopted a policy that all new or reconstructed playgrounds have firm and stable play surfaces for accessibility.

Of the city’s 75 playgrounds, five are now accessible and two others are being constructed this fall at Partridge Park and Glengarry Park.