Dickens Inclusive Playground Rubber Fund

We are embarking on an important mission – to raise enough funds to transform our school playground into a safe and inclusive space for every child.

Imagine that your child was unable to join their friends at recess because the playground was inaccessible to them. Imagine what impact this would have on their social, emotional and physical development and experience at school every single day. Imagine that the Vancouver School District was provided with significant funding to create an inclusive playground but did no consultation and instead created plans that further segregated your child. Imagine that concerns about these playground renovations were brought to their attention early in the construction phase but they were not receptive to feedback or suggestions from experts in the field. Unfortunately this is all a reality at Charles Dickens Elementary and this is unacceptable for our community.

Our playground is currently surfaced with wood chips and artificial turf, both of which are inaccessible to anyone with mobility aids. This poses a significant barrier to the inclusion of all children. Children with mobility issues are segregated to one small piece of equipment and segregated from their peers. That’s why we’re advocating to change the surface to poured-in-place rubber ground, recognized as the most inclusive and accessible surfacing. This change will ensure that every child, regardless of mobility, can freely engage in play. Play is social and disabled children deserve to be included in all aspects of play at school. Unfortunately, poured in place rubber is not cheap. Professional estimates have come in at $140,000 for this project.

Every child deserves the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of outdoor play, fostering physical activity, social interaction, and overall well-being. We believe that by coming together as a community, we can make this vision a reality. Your support can make a lasting impact on the lives of current and future students, as well as providing an inclusive playground for the community at large to use. No contribution is too small, as each dollar brings us one step closer to creating a playground where all children can thrive.

Join us in this endeavor to make our school playground a place of joy, inclusivity, and safety. Together, we can build a legacy that will benefit generations to come.

Ways to get involved:

1. Donate: Any contribution, no matter how small, brings us one step closer to our goal. Every dollar counts, and your generosity will make a real difference in the lives of all Charles Dickens students.

2. Share: If you can't contribute financially, sharing this campaign with your friends, family, and on social media can help us reach a wider audience. The more people who know about our cause, the closer we get to making it a reality.

3. Sponsorships: If you have skills or resources that could directly support our cause, please reach out. We welcome any help, whether it's time, expertise, or materials.

Thank you for your generosity and commitment to making inclusive play a reality.