A pair of Kimberley dads might be in the running for father of the year, their efforts are resulting in a new playground for Swan Avenue Park.
The City says Todd Larsen and Jeff Rees saw an opportunity to build a new playground on a former City park site, they began seeking grants after speaking with city council and partnering with Healthy Kimberley.
The project received financial backing from the Columbia Basin Trust and the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative, meanwhile the pair received additional support from local volunteers, businesses and contractors.
Now the project has moved to the Request for Proposals phase to seek qualified builders, the park will include a zip line, climbing apparatus and swings.
Find a statement from the City of Kimberley below:
After much hard work and determination, two Swan Sub fathers will see a play space built for neighbourhood children and families. Todd Larsen and Jeff Rees saw an opportunity to build a playground on the site of a former City park and after speaking with City Council and staff, and partnering with Healthy Kimberley, they began applying for grants.
Thanks to two major grants provided by Columbia Basin Trust’s Outdoor Active Recreation Program and the Canada Healthy Communities Initiative the bulk of the required funds were raised. Additional in-kind, financial and volunteer support was received from other neighbourhood residents, local businesses and contractors, and the City of Kimberley.
“We are so excited to see this park project happening,” said Jeff Rees. “Providing space for families to gather and play outside has become so important during these past few years and we are thrilled to have contributed to providing that space for our neighbours. Its pretty cool to witness a grassroots initiative like this take off. Hopefully this paves the way for other inspired residents to promote projects they want to see in their neighborhoods.”
The park will see children’s climbing apparatus’, children’s zip line, and swings as well as picnic tables, benches and plenty of room to lace up skates in the winter. The new park is located in a central Kimberley neighbourhood on several active transportation routes. Once the park is built, the City will continue to maintain the space.
The City recently issued an RFP to seek qualified builders.
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