While Ladner Elementary students proposed a potential swimming pool and trampolines to be added to their deteriorating playground, parents are working hard to make a more realistic version of their dreams come true.
Through collecting feedback from teachers, parents and students at Ladner Elementary, the PAC’s playground committee is hopeful to take on the most-requested renovations and additions with the help of donors and continued fundraising.
“They need things that are going to entice and excite them and be interesting for them, so we’re trying to build some elements that will open their minds and not be quite as structured,” says Tyla Langdon, the playground committee’s chair and an executive of the PAC.
So far, they’ve secured $123,000 with the help of donors, the city and their own fundraising efforts, and are still working towards their $200,000 goal.
Their approach is intended to unfold in stages, says Langdon, instead of tearing down the entire playground to rebuild a completely new one, which would leave kids stranded with nothing for a long stretch of time.
Among their list of additions is more natural play and exploration spaces, a double zipline and different parkour-esque climbing structures.
They also want to expand the existing community garden space to have more garden beds and seating, as well as transform a notoriously mucky area at the back of the school into a “rain garden.”
Langdon says the committee is working with somebody from the Cougar Creek Streamkeepers, who are very knowledgeable about this kind of landscaping that redirects excess rainwater to a garden instead of the nearest storm drain.
“Eventually once the plants become hearty enough [in the rain garden], it will become somewhat of a sensory garden for children … so they can go touch and feel certain elements of the garden without damaging them,” says Langdon.
In addition to a successful online auction, they’ve continued to fundraise through recycling cans and bottles at the Return-it Depot.
Anybody can contribute to their tab by typing the school’s phone number of 604-946-4158 into the kiosk and attaching that label to any bags they’re dropping off at the Express Drop window.
Langdon says that the Ladner Elementary PAC’s playground committee would like to extend their deepest thanks to everyone who has donated and helped them with their fundraising.
To stay up to date with their efforts, check out their Facebook and their Instagram account @ladner_el_pac.
And if you’re interested in donating, email them at [email protected], or donate through their GoFundMe at https://www.gofundme.com/f/Donate-Ladner-Elementary-Playground.
