Imagine being a child who felt excluded, or who couldn't access all areas of their school, or who missed out on engaging opportunities due to limitations beyond their control.
This was the reality for wheelchair user Leila Ruggles who has been a student at Cobble Hill's Evergreen Independent School for the past 10 years. The historic school building, which was first built in 1914, was not set up for wheelchair accessibility to the second level in the main building where activities and presentations are often held, leaving Leila unable to attend. Leila's mom Jessica Paige said when she was really little staff would carry her, and her chair up the front stairs separately, but as she grew this was no longer a safe option. Both Leila, and the school's core value of inclusion, were an inspiration for the school's new all accessible Playful Places Project that has been more than three years in the making.
"This year, Leila's peers who are her age and in the same grade are upstairs and it’s important that Leila also spends time with them, as well as in the younger grades where the activities are a bit more fun," said Paige. "There has been other children and parents in chairs in the past and it just feels so inviting that the main building and every portable has an accessible ramp. It’s a huge legacy for Leila to leave for anyone that attends the school in the future."
On Oct. 5 staff, students, alumni parents, several community members including area director Mike Wilson and Paige gathered at the independent school to celebrate inclusion, and a world of possibilities with the ribbon cutting of this vision come to fruition that Leila helped to inspire.
"It's a really special occasion for this school, as we gather to celebrate the opening of this new inclusive timber framed ramp and play space," said principal Lucien Power. "This beautiful structure before us represents more than just the wood and the bolts. It embodies our community and our commitment to inclusivity, and the joy and play for all students."
Students of all abilities like Leila will now be able to let their imaginations run wild as they play on the 100-foot long ramp that leads up to the second level of the historic school building. Aside from creating access to the upper level of the school, the ramp is also designed to take children on a magical journey from the adventures of the high seas, to treetop explorations though its tree house.
"The timber frame with its natural beauty and strength serves as the perfect metaphor for the resilience and unity of our community," said Power. "This ramp and play space is designed to ensure that every child regardless of their abilities can access the laughter, the friendships, and developmental benefits that come with play. It's a testament to our beliefs that no one should be left behind or excluded from the simple joys of childhood."
July was a busy month for members of the Timber Framers Guild who worked diligently to bring the project to life. Five instructors along with 40 carpenters, and 35 volunteers worked around the clock, starting the day after school let out for the summer. This project was special for guild president Chris Koehn, who was once the chairman of the board at Evergreen when his own boys attended. Koehn, who has been involved with the guild for four decades, said it was his wife Ruth who is a professional designer that helped the independent school develop a concept that allowed them to apply for the grant, and win it.
"It was a wonderful experience being able to bring those two worlds together, from the fundraising through the school to the design and engineering to the code compliance it's been a long journey," said Koehn. "Both of our boys went to school here many years ago, they are 27 and 23 now. This was a really special project, it has been wonderful to be a part of it, and it really feels full circle for me. I hope this lives up to everything that it was designed to be which is a playful space."
The Playful Spaces Project, which was funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Enabling Accessibility Fund, and the Evergreen Independent School society will also see growth over the foreseeable future with the plan to add more play and exploratory stuff including music elements and climbing walls that will be added to it as more funds become available. The ramp, together with the fully accessible community pavilion, will provide a versatile inclusive space for arts, culture and recreation not only in Cobble Hill but also for its surrounding communities.
"As we cut the ribbon today we are not just opening a new facility we are opening the doors to new possibilities, new friendships, new adventures," said Power. "We're creating a space where differences are celebrated, where challenges become opportunities and where every child can feel the thrill of independence."
Project manager Colleen O'Dell, and Paige fought back tears as they cut the ribbon. Sincere gratitude was expressed to all who donated their time, and equipment to make this dream a reality, including Power who gave up much of his own summer vacation to ensure this project was completed in a timely manner. O'Dell spoke on how over the years many potential solutions were explored such as lifts and traditional ramps, but they ultimately tended to be more exclusive than inclusive. The concept for Playful Places was inspired by the desire to create something beautiful that would not only embed inclusion into Evergreen's physical space, but also allow a place for exploration, self-regulation, and connection for years to come.
"There were so many pieces that needed to come together, and so many people that played an integral part in making this day possible," said O'Dell. "First to Leila, for giving us the gifts of empathy, and compassion. You inspire us to do better, and be better every day. May all that play here, feel the love that went into creating it."
"Evergreen sees the ability and not the disabilities," said Paige. "My heart is overjoyed with happiness to know that Leila can be a part of all the happenings and that the kids can join her for the adventures on the ramp and help her get to and from her classes safely. I’m incredibly grateful to the entire team for making this dream a reality and for all of the volunteer hours spent. It has brought a fresh new life to the school and community."
