‘We are playing here’
New universally design playpark opens in Liverpool
Six years ago, Debbie Wamboldt wanted to take her autistic seven-year-old son to a playground near her home in Liverpool to enjoy two of his favourite play activities, soaring on swings and spinning on a merry-go-round. But, at the time, there was no safe place for him to play.
So, Wamboldt approached the council of the Region of Queens Municipality on behalf of a group of parents in the disability community who had concerns about a wide range of accessibility issues, especially the need for a safe, accessible play space.
“My son was a flight risk when he was younger and still is sometimes. So, for us having a playground that didn't put us in immediate danger was very high on the list,” said Wamboldt. “Most of our playgrounds here in Liverpool were located near waterways, which is a big red flag for people with autism. A lot of people with Autism are drawn to water. And they are also located very close to roadways, which also made them inaccessible to us.”
Eventually, a partnership was formed between the Region of Queens Municipality, Autism NS and local volunteers that resulted in the planning, development, funding and construction of the first universally designed playpark in Queens County.
The Etli Milita'mk (pronounced: Ed Ah Lee Milly Dumk) Playpark officially opened with a ceremony held on Wednesday, Oct. 11. The playground is located on the Queens Place Emera Centre grounds. The name was selected in consultation with members of Acadia First Nation. Translated from Mi'kmaq, it means: “We are playing here."
The $600,000 cost of the project was shared between the municipality, the federal and provincial governments and private trusts and donations. Fundraising efforts were administered, coordinated and held in trust by Autism Nova Scotia.
Elise Johnston, who is the accessibility coordinator with
the municipality, said a wide assortment of elements that
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engage all senses and offer options for different users and components to include people with a range of abilities and sensory needs make the new playground a safe, inclusive place where people of all ages and abilities can play together.
They include variations and styles of slides, swings, a spinner pole, a climbing wall, ladders and monkey bars.
Other features include a toddler truck, a musical element, braille descriptive panels, interactive panels and a wobble sphere. There is a transfer station where visitors can move a wheelchair onto decks. A quiet grove is designed for autistic users to “get away.”
“Universal design really means barrier free access for everybody,” Johnston said.
“If you are removing barriers, you lose the concept of disability because it is accessible by all,” she said.
Darlene Norman is the mayor of the Region of Queens Municipality.
“If you are considering a playground for a community school, a park for your municipality, look at universal design. Think about inclusivity. Play parks are for everyone," Norman said.
“Everyone likes to play, regardless of your age. So, playgrounds are not just built for children. Playgrounds today are built for all ages and all abilities.
“When you remove barriers for people with disabilities, you remove barriers for everybody. It puts everybody on the same level,” Wamboldt, who is living with a disability herself, said. “I hope people can understand it's okay to go and swing on the swings even if you are 75 years old.”
She sees the benefits of play for herself, her children and the whole community.
“Play impacts your mental health. It impacts your physical health. And it also impacts the health of our community, she explained, “because that's the place we come together as a community and meet people.”
“When you remove barriers for people with disabilities, you remove barriers for everybody.” Debbie Wamboldt Mother of son with autism