ESQUIMALT– New Democrat MLA Mitzi Dean says students at École Macaulay Elementary will soon be playing on a new accessible playground, thanks to $165,000 in provincial funding.

“Playgrounds play a big part in childrens’ social lives and physical health when they are at school and for many children, it’s where they learn how to make and keep friends,” said Mitzi Dean, MLA for Esquimalt-Metchosin. “With this funding for a new accessible playground, more children in Esquimalt will be able to play and grow safely.”

This year, New Democrats are investing $5 million in 30 new accessible playgrounds for 24 school districts across the province. The structures will include features like ground cover and ramps to ensure there’s a place for students of all abilities to play. The playgrounds will be designed and built over the next year.

Playgrounds help kids stay active outdoors while learning to cooperate, build conflict resolution skills and overcome challenges. Playing outside reduces anxiety and improve focus, helping kids to learn in the classroom.

This funding comes from the Playground Equipment Program, which New Democrats created in 2018 to reduce the burden of fundraising on parents and help communities that don’t have the fundraising capacity to buy the playground equipment students need. Since 2018, the New Democrat government has invested $30 million to fund 231 new playgrounds at schools throughout the province, benefiting more than 57,000 students.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/26720