Sault Ste. Marie's first sensory playground will officially open in June in Bellevue Park.
Made possible with grants from the Algoma Autism Foundation, Community Living Algoma and Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie, the unique playground will include a 66-foot accessible mini-zipline.
"This is a reflection of what partnership can do," says Margaret Hazelton, the city's recreation supervisor and a member of the multi-agency committee that brought the idea to life.
The City of Sault Ste. Marie and Employment and Social Development Canada also made significant in-kind and financial contributions.
The zipline includes a molded bucket seat with a lock-in-place harness to ensure safety for children with limited upper-body or lower-body strength.
It's being installed near Shore Drive, the road that runs behind the Great Lakes Forestry Centre.
The equipment, to be placed immediately adjacent to a path to ensure accessibility, consists of the following:
- Cozy Dome - a quiet place for over-stimulated children with peek holes that let the child and supervisors keep an eye on the action. It has various textures on the outer surface to create a perfect climbing experience.
- TopsyTurny Spinner - a large spinning black grip-textured deck that accommodates multiple children.
- ZipKrooze Assisted - this mini-zipline provides a two-way ride on an elevated built in-trolley.
- Sensory Play Centre - designed with many shapes and textures for tactile sensory stimulation.
- Rapsody Outdoor Musical Instruments - three components are the Vivo Metallophone, Granioso Chimes and kettle drums.
The sensory playground equipment is being bought from ABC Recreation Ltd. of Paris, Ontario.
"This playground area is inclusive and accessible," says a city report on the project.
"The area is surrounded by soft tile matting. Equipment components are unique, providing new play options for children of all ages and abilities."
Members of the project development committee were:
- Jamie Boston, Algoma Autism Foundation
- Derek Walkz, Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie
- Morgan Fiaschetti, Algoma Autism Foundation
- Diane Morrell, Spinal Cord Injury Ontario
- Melanie Young, Community Living Algoma
- Nancie Scott, Accessibility Office
- Carolyn O'Connor, Easter Seals
- Tanya, Vince and Hunter Vommaro, A Swing for Everyone
- Kate Lawrence, Children's Rehabilitation Centre Algoma
- Margaret Hazelton, City of Sault Ste. Marie