Discovery Park Welcomes Everyone

October 21, 2016 - Sussex, N.B. - Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

A celebration took place today in Sussex to mark the completion of the Discovery Park. Located next to Sussex Elementary School, the 1,400 square metre playground was transformed into a nature-inspired space that promotes play for all.

Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Ed Doherty, Minister of Service New Brunswick, on behalf of the Honourable Donald Arseneault, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation, announced government support for the playground transformation.

The Discovery Park uses universal design principles to ensure children and adults of all ages, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds can meaningfully explore various forms of play. The park integrates natural elements into accessible areas of creative, cognitive, social and physical play as well as provides quiet retreat areas.

A universal designed playground benefits everyone by offering fun and challenges for all while assisting in eliminating discrimination and promoting social interaction and participation. 

The Government of Canada, through ACOA, provided a contribution of $35,500 under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) for the upgrades to the existing playground. The Province of New Brunswick provided $25,000, the project organizers raised more than $210,178 in contributions and in-kind contributions. In 2015, the Government of Canada also provided $50,000 through the Department of Employment and Social Development towards the development of the Discovery Park.

CIP 150 is providing up to $300 million nationally over two years to support projects to rehabilitate, renovate and expand community and recreational infrastructure as part of the Government of Canada’s activities to honour Canada’s 150^th anniversary of Confederation.

Quotes

“Canada’s economic success is positively impacted when communities are strong and united. Improving community infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, helps to create resilient communities where the talents and ambitions of its residents are able to grow and succeed.”

-       The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA 

“The Government of Canada is committed to reducing barriers to accessibility to ensure that everyone can participate on an equal basis. The Sussex Discovery Park will play an integral role in the daily lives of local residents and will help to ensure that all children can play and learn together for many years to come.”

-       Alaina Lockhart, Member of Parliament for Fundy Royal

“The provincial government invests in community projects such as Discovery Park to promote active, healthy lifestyles. We are proud to be a partner in this important recreational community project for the entire Sussex community.”

-       The Honourable Ed Doherty, Minister of Service New Brunswick, on behalf of the Honourable Donald Arseneault, Minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation

“Discovery Park is an effort to create natural, inclusive design that brought hundreds of Sussex and area residents together in a common goal. It is a project that highlights for our community and others that when you focus on ability, all people can be included in an aesthetically pleasing, highly-functional, playful design. The space is very unique in our area of the country with 85 per cent of the play features being meaningfully and playfully inclusive.”

-  Meghan Wong, Discovery Park Committee Co-Chair & Project Site Manager

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Associated Links

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program
• Canada 150
• Discovery Park
• Town of Sussex
• Government of New Brunswick

Contacts

Paul CJ LeBlanc
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-452-3310                                     

Bruce Macfarlane
Director of Communications
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4377

Meghan Wong
Discovery Park Committee Co-Chair & Project Site Manager
506-435-3601