Natural playground grows from business, community partnership.
Ward 30 councillor Paula Fletcher (Toronto-Danforth) and Adam Bienenstock, president of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, take a ride down the slide after unveiling the first natural playground in the city at McCleary Playground on McGee St. Thursday.
Staff photo/DAN PEARCE
The western edge of Leslieville was a sea of orange Thursday, Sept. 17 as more than 500 mandarin-coloured T-shirt clad volunteers from ING Direct gave of their time to help build a natural playground at McCleary Park.ING Direct, in partnership with Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds and the City of Toronto, sponsored the endeavour. Several local residents also volunteered. Further, the Canadian financial institution donated $300,000 toward the initiative through its hands-on corporate citizenship program, Orange in the Community.Located near Queen Street East and McGee Street, the neighbourhood green space underwent a major upgrade that included incorporating elements of nature, music, and waterplay. The innovative new playground is designed to be a stimulating holistic environment that is accessible to all children. The new facility includes a hillside, climbing boulders, mature trees, a misting cloud, musical instruments, a whimsical upside down tree and an area to play in the sand."When we foster a child's connection with nature, the child flourishes: rates of child obesity decrease, bullying rates and child injury rates decrease, while academic achievement rises, physical activity rates increase, barriers melt away and the environmental stewards of the future emerge," explained Adam Bienenstock, president of Bienenstock Natural Playground, in a release.Mayor David Miller, who visited the site Thursday afternoon, shared his pleasure with the joint venture."This is a great example of the public and private sectors partnering to create a beautiful and functional green space," he said, in a release."Thanks to these efforts, local residents can now enjoy an innovative playground that is beautiful, clean, safe and accessible to all."Toronto-Danforth Councillor Paula Fletcher was equally thrilled with the new green space."This playground is a natural fit for this very green community. There is also great play value in the natural elements," she said, in a communique.For more information about the project, visit www.naturalplaygrounds.ca or call Fletcher's office at 416-392-4060.