The City of Grande Prairie has qualified for an Alberta Recycling Management Authority (ARMA) 2008 Municipal Demonstration Grant to install a fully accessible playground surface at J.C. Mackie Park.

The grant will cover up to $25,000 for the installation of the Pour-in-Place Playground Safety Surfacing utilizing recycled tire products. The Community Committee on Disability Issues (CCDI) will also invest $25,000 in the project.

J.C. Mackie Park, located at 111 Street and 106 Ave., opens in August as part of the City’s 50^th Anniversary. The park is named after City of Grande Prairie’s first mayor, J.C. Mackie. 

Funding was announced at Crystal Ridge Park #4 to demonstrate difficulties residents with some form of mobility issue may encounter in most City parks.

“When completed, the playground will provide a seamless and fully accessible surface,” says Parks Planner Lindsey Juniper.  “As a result, all residents and visitors, regardless of ability, can make full use of this new venue.”

The Pour-in-Place surface will provide a cushion for falls from up to 3 metres, in accordance to CSA Standards. The play surface at the park is 445 square metres. 

“The sand in existing parks is soft and you sink right in,” says Dale Williams of Wolverines Wheelchair Sports. “I am always going to the park with my youngest grandson and this surface will allow me to be really involved in his activities at the park. My mother-in-law has five great grandchildren. The park will be a real boon to her.”