MEDIA ADVISORY

Lieutenant Governor and Mayor to plant tree with His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex to launch Neshama Playground at Oriole Park.

Toronto, June 6, 2008 – Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, The Honourable David C. Onley, His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex and His Worship Mayor David Miller will join community leaders to launch the building of Neshama Playground, Toronto’s premier universal accessible playground. 

At the reception, The Honourable David Onley will deliver a message about accessibility, His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex will unveil a plaque, and the dignitaries will plant a red maple tree that will be a lasting symbol of growth at the playground.  The event will take place on Sunday, June 8, 2008 at Oriole Park (201 Oriole Parkway, near Davisville).  People are encouraged to arrive at 1:00 p.m. with the ceremonies commencing at 2:00 p.m. sharp.  Toronto Parks, Recreation and Forestry staff will conduct children’s activities including face painting, beading and games.  The ceremony will be attended by contributors and donors, who have collectively raised more than $670,000 to date for the playground, and children and families who will benefit from its creation.

“The Neshama Playground is an opportunity to create a place that will engage the imagination of Toronto's children in a variety of creative ways,” says Mayor David Miller.  “Public spaces that are innovative and inclusive provide children with the opportunity to play together and help us build a more liveable city.”

“We need this playground in order to break down barriers, not only in playgrounds, but in the way people think about abilities versus disabilities,” says Theo Caldwell, president of Caldwell Asset Management and Chair of the Campaign Cabinet for Neshama Playground.  “Adding ramps and making paths wide enough for wheelchairs doesn’t make it any less fun for kids without physical or cognitive challenges.  Neshama Playground will be a state-of-the-art facility so it can become a model for future playgrounds in other cities in our province and across Canada.”

Neshama Playground, meaning “one soul” in Hebrew, will create one playground with features to engage and integrate children of all abilities, including those with physical and cognitive disabilities.  Accessible features such as washrooms, paths, and seating also accommodate parents with special needs.  Neshama is a joint initiative between a local citizens group, who are fundraising $1M from the private sector, and the City of Toronto, who are contributing the land and other infrastructure to support this playground.  Leaders from many community groups who work with children with special needs are participating on Neshama’s Accessibility Advisory Council and providing input on the various features and types of play that would best integrate their children in this revolutionary playground.

For more information about Neshama Playground and how to get involved or make a donation, call Melony or Sara at 416‑304-3931, or email.

EVENT SUMMARY:

Neshama Playground Launch Ceremony: Sunday, June 8
Arrival:  1 pm
Ceremony:  2 pm SHARP
Location: Oriole Park, Baseball Diamond

Special guests:

• The Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario

• His Royal Highness The Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex

• His Worship David Miller, Mayor of Toronto

Media contacts:
Melony Jamieson, 416-518-6355, melony@getitdone.ca
Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation Media Hotline, 416‑560‑8726, pfrmediahotline@toronto.ca

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