shannon park inclusive playground a boon for families with special needs kids, project founder foresees
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rachel doornekamp, an occupational therapist, was among officials and backers on hand for the ceremonial groundbreaking for the jumpstart inclusive playground at shannon park in kingston, ontario, on tuesday, april 14, 2026. (photo by gare joyce/the kingston whig-standard)
the founder of the inclusive play project took special satisfaction when officials from the city of kingston and corporate supports gathered at shannon park for the ceremonial groundbreaking for the accessible playground.
kingston mayor bryan peterson was among the city officials who braved a steady rain along with a representative from canadian tire, whose jumpstart charities gave the playground its name.
project founder rachel doornekamp, an occupational therapist, has been lobbying for initiatives to benefit children with special needs for several years, but none have been more rewarding than the facility that’s taking shape behind the protective fence.
“we’ve seen this trend over and over again where families are saying there’s just really a lack of places to go that are accessible for kids here in the city,” doornekamp said. “they’re having to travel up to two hours to go to locations where they can play outside with their children. there really should be better options more readily available for families in this sort of situation.”
according to doornekamp, several of kingston’s park spaces have some accessible features, but the shannon park playground not accommodate all children.
“it will also have lots of features of a regular playground,” doornekamp said. “this idea is you’ve got an accessible playground, but you’ve got all the regular features — the spinners and slides — so that all the children can play in the one park, rather than there being a park ‘over there’ for those who use mobility aids. that everybody is playing in the same space fosters that inclusion of everyone — it’s an education for everyone.”
added lori gagnon, a manager of stakeholder relations for canadian tire jumpstart charities: “we’re in our 21st year in jumpstart and our mission is to increase access to sport and play for all canadian youth. there are really so many benefits behind sport and play that children receive, mental and physical. we’ve supported projects across canada, coast to coast and in all kinds of regions. it’s always a rewarding to be a partner in projects like this playground and to know it’s going to improve the lives of children and families.”
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gjoyce@postmedia.com
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