Community

This initiative is looking to make a safe place for all kids to play

Project trying to raise $750,000

  • Building an accessible park for kids of all abilities
  • A fundraiser goal of $750,000 has been set

Julia Grassmick is a student like many others at Mar Jok Elementary School in West Kelowna.

The seven-year-old likes math and enjoys playing basketball.

But at just 17 months old, she was paralyzed by a spinal cord injury.

Since her injury, her family has been focused on Julia's recovery, as well as creating a safe space for children like her to play outside.

That’s culminated in an initiative known as Julia’s Junction; a project that Julia’s mother Melissa hopes will result in an inclusive and accessible playground in West Kelowna.

The playground will contain a variety of equipment that kids of all abilities can play on.

“It’s just extremely important to have a safe space for all kids to be able to play, regardless of their physical, social, cognitive ability,” Melissa told Kelowna10.

According to Melissa, one of the main difficulties disabled children are faced with at playgrounds today is the surfacing.

“A lot of parks have the little pea gravel, or the wood chips, and they don’t work for wheelchairs or other mobility devices like walkers or crutches that well,” she said.

But Melissa says much more than just the surfacing of parks needs to change..

“Offering ground based play equipment that all kids can access, whether they stay in their wheelchair, whether they can transfer on to something… they can all play on the same play piece together, that’s really what we’re trying to achieve,” she said.

Ever since Julia had her injury, the family has tended to avoid playgrounds altogether.

“They are very challenging and frustrating for her, mainly, but also for us watching her struggle emotionally [and] physically. It’s just really hard,” Melissa said.

Melissa has set a fundraising goal of $750,000, and has currently raised almost $200,000.

“Now that [Julia’s] back in school I have a little bit more time, [and] this is just something that’s really important to me. If I set my mind to something I will make it happen,” she said.

In a video on the Julia’s Junction Facebook page, Julia describes how much it would mean to her to have a park that she could play at with her friends.

“I’m super, super excited because then all of my friends, and even me and some of my friends who also have disabilities, can play in that park,” Julia said.

She added there aren't any other parks that paralyzed kids can play at.

“I’m super stoked for this new playground.”

Visit the website to find out more.

Published 2022-03-03 by Keelan Bourdon

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