PENTICTON — When Savanna Morris, 7, plays on the swings or goes down the slides, her face lights up. But getting to the jungle gym at Columbia Elementary School is challenging for the first grader because she has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her motor skills.
“The gravel is really hard for her wheelchair to go through – pretty much impossible. So, she doesn’t have any independence to play with her friends,” explained Nicole Morrison, Savanna’s mother.
Savanna said she gets “lonely” and feels left out when she isn’t able to join her friends on the playground during recess.
The school’s Parent Advisory Council (PAC) is spearheading a fundraiser to collect the $15,000 needed to get rubberized mats, which would make the jungle gym more accessible.
“I feel bad that the parents and the little kids have to pay for the surface. I don’t know any other options,” said Morris.
Superintendent of Schools Wendy Hyer said the school district has already spent some money to make the school more accessible.
Hyer said they made renovations to the washroom, added a ramp and provided Savanna with a full-time educational assistant.
But she said the school district does not pay for playground costs.
Principal Jan Ramsey said the current playground was a result of fundraising efforts by the PAC eight years ago.
It’s not just this one school playground with accessibility issues. Morris said she was surprised to learn that none of Penticton’s public parks have smooth surfaces.
The City’s Parks Supervisor, Jeff Lynka, said rubber is six times more expensive than wood chips.
But there is good news on the horizon for Savanna. The City recently received a grant from Tire Stewardship BC, the province’s tire recycling program, to build a new playground this summer with rubberized surfacing.
“We are building a new playground at the Community Centre and we will be adding rubber-safety surfacing on that project,” said Lynka.
Morris is excited for this new playground and would like to see all parks improved so every child can feel included.
Those interested in making a donation to support the PAC’S fundraiser for rubberized mats can drop off a cheque at the school or school board office, and address it to: Columbia Elementary PAC.