Forest Park unveils green space, outdoor classroom

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/06/2019 (2532 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Kids have a new green space at Forest Park Community School.

The new space was unveiled on June 19 and will serve as an outdoor learning space when school starts again in the fall. Besides kids, adults can also enjoy the accessible walking path around the schoolyard. 

The school has been developing the space for the last three years in consultation with the community and students. The Parent Advisory Council worked closely with Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan), who provided $40,000 to the project through the Community Incentive Grant. The money funded the third phase of construction, which consisted of the walking path, fitness nodes for kids, and the planting of trees and shrubs, a space with logs, and a hill. 

“You can see that the kids are very active here,” Marianne Krawchuk from Forest Park PAC said as kids ran and played at the schoolyard. “This project was extremely needed. We are so proud that we could make the dreams of students come to fruition and are excited to see families gather and enjoy the space.”

The Forest Park outdoor learning space has been a dream of a multi-age class of Grade 4 and 5 students. The outdoor classroom has stones placed in the form of a turtle that represents Mother Earth. The path surrounds the play space and allows people of all ages to go for a stroll or run at any time of the day. 

Sharma said many seniors from Ten Ten Sinclair Housing use the space for quiet walks and contemplation.

“This enhanced green space will benefit our entire community. The school is a central gathering place for families, and I am so excited to see this educational and accessible outdoor space come to life,” Sharma said, highlighting how accessibility is an important feature of the space. “I’m proud to be working with the dedicated staff and PAC at Forest Park School. The space is open to the school community and community at large to build body, mind, and spirit.

“This is really a space to be rambunctious.”

The students also worked with Take Pride Winnipeg artists Annie Beach and Brianna Jenvenne to build a mural depicting the Seven Sacred Teachings, which was installed outside in June 2018.

“We’re so excited and proud to offer this new accessible space for our students and community,” Forest Park principal Chris Wigglesworth said. “Forest Park students inspired, helped design and bring to life an outdoor area that they knew would not only be a great place to learn and play for themselves, but a great place for the community to come together.”