Adventure playgrounds will be coming back next summer.
Unlike regular playgrounds, the supervised sites provide a space for children to engage in unstructured play and exploration of their surroundings.
This summer, two such playgrounds were offered at the South Delta Recreation Centre and the North Delta Recreation Centre. Children had tools and materials to build their own play space with the aim of allowing them to use their imagination, all the while learning to assess risk.
While adventure playgrounds at first glance seem to have some element of risk, that’s the whole point, according to the City of Delta, which joined a growing number of communities hoping to take the “bubble wrap” off kids.
The initiative was discussed at a recent parks, recreation and culture commission meeting where it was described as a “huge success.”
Commission members had a few suggestions for next year, including implementing an earlier start time in the summer, having more signage for the South Delta location and additional staff training when there’s a need to interject, such as when very young children want to use sharp/dangerous equipment.
The commission suggested additional adventure playground pop ups during events such as the Tour de Delta. It also suggested gaining further input through a database of families that have participated.
A report still has to come to Delta council for approval.
