Summerland family aims to get accessible playground built for kids with mobility issues
Global News
"The school district anticipates receiving a response from the Ministry in early spring 2026 regarding this funding request," the email states.
Like most young children, Holland Van Gurp loves playgrounds, but the one at her school only allows the Grade 1 student to use a swing.
The six-year-old lives with quadriplegic cerebral palsy and has significant mobility issues.
The playground at Trout Creek Elementary, however, is neither wheelchair- nor walker-friendly.
“The hardest thing is every day when I pick her up from school…all the kids are playing. I get all the big questions of, ‘Why don’t my legs work like everybody else’s? Why can’t I play with my friends?'” Van Gurp said.
“So it’s — yeah, it’s extremely difficult.”
Making matters worse, Van Gurp said, is the fact the playground is nearing end of life anyway and will need to be replaced.
She said she was shocked the school district’s replacement plans did not include accessibility.
“I just think they get a certain budget and that’s all there is in the budget,” Van Gurp said.
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