Work officially underway on new inclusive playground in Kingston

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Tuesday inside the Rideau Heights Community Centre.

The wet weather didn't dampen the spirits of those behind an inclusive playground project in Kingston.

Rain forced organizers of Tuesday's oudoor groundbreaking ceremony at Shannon Park to move it inside across the street to the Rideau Heights Community Centre.

Rachel Doornekamp with the Inclusive Play Project says it has taken years of planning for construction of this playground to get underway.

An inclusive playground is where children can use regardless of their abilities whether is physical or developmental. One of the features the new playground will have is a washroom for those with special needs.

Doornekamp says Shannon Park provides a suitable space to have the inclusive playground.

Mayor Bryan Paterson, Councillor Brandon Tozzo, Kingston's Recreation and Leisure Services Director Amy Elgersma, and Lori Gagnon, Manager of Stakeholder Relations at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities were on hand for the ceremony.

Doornekamp says they have raised $1.3 million of their $1.5 million goal to cover the cost of the inclusive playground. 

She says a number of community organizations came together to make this project happen.

Construction is expected to be completed later this year with an expected opening date in the summer.

Story by Ken Hashizume