CONTRIBUTIONS TO THIS PAGE DO NOT GO TO BUILDING THIS PARK, it goes to the petition website.

We are writing this petition to ask our city officials to prioritize the construction of an inclusive playground in our City and make it a requirement for all future playground projects. 

Our City prides itself on being sustainable and innovative, but without inclusive playgrounds, we fail to live up to these ideals. Inclusivity should be at the forefront of our community's values. By providing inclusive play spaces for children with disabilities, parents or other adults with disabilities, and their families, we can foster integration among ALL of our people while promoting equality and understanding. It is disheartening that we do not have adequate spaces where all children can come together regardless of their abilities.

Why do we need this?

Lachlan, a child in Kingston, faces numerous challenges when it comes to accessing and enjoying playgrounds because he is wheelchair-bound and visually impaired. This not only affects him but also his sister, who cannot understand why her brother can't join her in the fun. Accessibility standards for playgrounds are incredibly insufficient as they allow for barriers such as stairs and wood chips for footings that wheels cannot get through. It is not enough to simply say, "You go play over there," because true integration requires shared experiences. 

By building inclusive playgrounds throughout Kingston, we can create spaces where children can thrive alongside their able-bodied peers without feeling isolated or left out. These spaces are designed with accessibility features such as accessible bathrooms nearby, ramps, sensory play elements, adaptive swings, and wheelchair-accessible surfaces. Inclusive playgrounds offer numerous benefits beyond just physical activity. They provide opportunities for social interaction, cognitive development, sensory stimulation, and emotional well-being for all children, regardless of their abilities or disabilities. These inclusive spaces will not only benefit individuals with disabilities but also promote diversity within our community by encouraging interaction between people from different backgrounds.

Why now?

Inaccessible playgrounds and the marginalizing, exclusionary experiences they produce are especially troubling, given the importance of play to children’s health, development, and overall well-being. Play is the dominant activity in the daily lives of children, and it has positive impacts on their cognitive, physical, and social-emotional health and development. The push to be outdoors and to maintain activity levels has amplified the value of playgrounds in supporting play for all children and adults. Numerous cities across Canada have recognized the importance of inclusive play spaces and have built them. Now is the time to make this change as Kingston grows, and our community needs this more than ever.

We, the undersigned, urge the City Council of Kingston to take immediate action and:

1. Build an inclusive playground in Kingston for children of all abilities.
2. Make it required for all new playgrounds to be an inclusive design.
3. Allocate sufficient funds for the construction of inclusive play spaces.

Let's come together as a community and ensure that no child (or adult) is left behind or excluded from the simple joys of childhood play. Sign this petition today to support building inclusive playgrounds in Kingston!

For more info, follow us:
https://www.facebook.com/inclusiveplayproject
https://inclusiveplayproject.com/