Woodcote Community Park playground is getting a refresh and a huge help to that project comes from the Tire Stewardship Community Grants program.
The Community Grants program from the Tire Stewardship of BC started in 2009 and is an opportunity to give back to the community while demonstrating examples of products that can be made from scrap tires.
鈥淲e have now done over 306 (project) in 95 communities throughout British Columbia and the grant funding has been about $6.5 million dollars to date. We (award) grants every year,鈥� said Rosemary Sutton, Executive Director of Tire Stewardship BC.
Courtenay鈥檚 Woodcote Community Park playground was chosen for several reasons. One being the need for accessibility to a playground in the area. The playground has incorporated the Rick Hansen foundations and seven principles of universal design. It supports users with mobility and physical challenges.
鈥淲e look very much around the accessibility piece and very often playgrounds are updated or created because there鈥檚 a need in the community, either typically in the school where they have a student who had disability concerns. They want to provide a playground that is accessible.鈥�
Another aspect that the Tire Stewardship of BC looks at when deciding which projects get the Community Grants, is the need for the project as a whole.
鈥淲e look at how many people in the community this project is serving. For example, the one in Courtenay is a perfect example of that park playground, they鈥檝e got two elementary schools that are close - one of which doesn鈥檛 have a playground. Now they鈥檙e able to provide for those students. There is a sports field nearby. It is also close to the Indigenous Friendship Centre and some low-income housing.鈥�
The rubberized surface that will be made from the 1,057 scrap tires will fit one of two designs that either reflects a tree theme or a cloud theme. The current mock ups are available to view on the City of Courtenay鈥檚 Engage website at: .
