City of Toronto and community partners rebuild and open Heron Park playground

TORONTO, Aug. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Toronto Police Service Chief Mark Saunders and City of Toronto staff joined project partners and community members today for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the one-day rebuild and official opening of the revitalized Heron Park playground.

"This revitalized playground and reading garden is a wonderful example of what happens when people work together," said Councillor Ron Moeser, Ward 44 Scarborough East. "I would like to thank the community, corporate partners and our dedicated staff at Parks, Forestry and Recreation whose support made this project possible."

"It is vitally important that we all work together to create spaces that will have a lasting and healthy effect on the community going forward," said Chief Saunders. "The Toronto Police Service is proud to support the reopening of this playground alongside our colleagues at Parks, Forestry and Recreation and the Toronto Public Library."

The playground was revitalized through a City of Toronto partnership with Foresters (an international financial services provider), KaBOOM! (a non-profit dedicated to ensuring that children get the play they need to thrive) and the Boys and Girls Club of East Scarborough. More than 200 volunteers came together this morning to build the new playground in less than eight hours.

Since 2006, Foresters has invested over $10 million alongside KaBOOM! to build over 120 playgrounds across the U.S. and Canada by the end of 2015.

"At Foresters, we believe a playground is more than just a place for children to play. It's a centrepiece in the community and an investment in family well-being," said Anthony M. Garcia, President and CEO, Foresters. "We are happy to provide the East Scarborough community of Toronto with a place that families can enjoy for years to come."

The playground now features a triple racer slide, climbers, a cosy cocoon, balance buttons, catwalk, truck spring toy, activity panels, toss-up game and a swing set with an accessible seat. Additional enhancements include an accessibility ramp, new pathways and a reading garden with stage. The playground is adjacent to the Morningside Branch of the Toronto Public Library, a contributed partner in the build.

City staff prepared the site prior to the build, and provided construction support and co-ordination. Heron Park is located at 292 Manse Rd, in the Scarborough East area of the city.

Toronto is Canada's largest city, the fourth largest in North America, and home to a diverse population of about 2.8 million people. It is a global centre for business, finance, arts and culture and is consistently ranked one of the world's most livable cities. Toronto is proud to be the Host City for the 2015 Pan American and Parapan American Games. For information on non-emergency City services and programs, Toronto residents, businesses and visitors can visit www.toronto.ca, call 311, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or follow us @TorontoComms.

SOURCE City of Toronto

Media contact: Parks, Forestry and Recreation media line, 416-560-8726, [email protected]