Archway Community Services is working with the City of Abbotsford to revitalize Hoon Park in Abbotsford.
This will be our community’s first natural park playground and will enhance the existing play space currently at Hoon Park.
Hoon Park will be transformed into an inclusive and creative space with natural play elements such as a hillside slide, a log ladder, play berm, log stacks, log balances, and stepping tree stumps.
“As part of Archway’s 50th anniversary year we wanted to celebrate by giving something lasting back to our community. What better way than a 4-way partnership to create a natural playground? A magical space today can help transform the way children and generations play and experience learning for a lifetime,” said Rod Santiago, Executive Director of Archway.
Our goals are to promote children’s healthy physical and cognitive development, and to encourage imagination and problem solving through “risky play.”
The playground will help combat the “nature deficit” facing children today. A Tufts University study on children’s development found that children given natural play environments play longer and more often. Sustained engagement in natural play can increase cooperation and constructive interaction.
The space is designed to be a gathering place for parents, youth and seniors and will be inclusive for all groups including indigenous peoples, immigrants & newcomers.
A park opening celebration is planned for the fall 2019.
Funding was provided by City of Abbotsford, Archway Community Services, Saputo Inc., and the Grayross Foundation held at the Vancouver Foundation.
“As part of Archway’s 50th anniversary year we wanted to celebrate by giving something lasting back to our community. What better way than a 4-way partnership to create a natural playground?
A magical space today can help transform the way children and generations play and experience learning for a lifetime.”
Funded By:
Grayross Foundation held at the Vancouver Foundation.