Inclusive Playground in Ottawa

Overview:

The Ottawa Rotary Home would like the opportunity to lead the building of an inclusive playground in the nation's capital as existing conditions (prospective locations, partners and timing) for such a playground are especially favourable and the Home - staffed by trained professionals and dedicated volunteers - is uniquely qualified to deliver the ongoing educational programming that would support such a playground. And, we have an active group of children and young adults ready to utilize the playground on a daily basis throughout the year who would eagerly share their delight with their siblings, friends and neighbours. We have no doubt that “if we build it, they will come” and, most probably, in droves.

The Ottawa Rotary Home has provided short-term, out-of-home relief for children and youth with physical disabilities and complex medical needs since its incorporation in 1982. The Ottawa Rotary Home was the first – and until the 1990’s, the only – 24-hour, out-of-home respite centre of its kind in North America. Led by local Rotarians (with 31 active Clubs in the Eastern Ontario region) and supported by many individuals, corporations and foundations, it has proudly served as the model for respite programs across the continent.

The Home itself is located on a 5-acre gift of land in south Ottawa. The 18,000 square foot building is equipped with the most up-to-date facilities, furnishing and equipment. The Home has two separate wings - one for children and another for adults – and also hosts our respite care programs. It has a separate administration area, a Snoezelen room, 2 craft rooms (one in each wing), a learning centre, and 2 oversized bedrooms for individuals with large medical equipment. This summer, the Home was graced with a new splash pad and 2 new accessible swings were installed in August - both provided through the generosity of local donors.

The Ottawa Rotary Home, recognized in 2008 with a United Way Community Builder Award, is particularly knowledgeable and well-positioned to undertake and complete the building of a new accessible playground. The Leitrim neighbourhood is easily accessed from all parts of Ottawa and is adjacent to a large municipal park – Leitrim Park – the site of the Fred Barrett Arena (recreational hockey/skating rink & fitness/recreational programs). The Park contains 3 ball diamonds, 1 football field, 1 combination soccer/football field and 5 soccer fields and is nearly fully utilized. There is also the possibility of expanding the park’s program to incorporate a range of additional uses. Vehicle access and parking is currently provided and vehicle access will be available in the future from roads to the south when lands east of Bank Street are developed.

As it happens, the new Leitrim subdivision mentioned above was recently approved and the servicing of the site began in July, 2011. This new subdivision is located directly east of The Ottawa Rotary Home and plans for the site include 175 single family homes, 121 townhouses and 72 low-rise apartment units, as well as a centrally-located park.

In addition, the City of Ottawa has developed innovative programs for citizens with special needs (http://ottawa.ca/residents/parksrecreation/programs/guidespdf/fw1112/specialneedsen.pdf) and has a “Community Partnership Major Capital Program initiative which exists to implement major capital improvements and additions to facilities related to parks and recreation and community resource centres on a cost-sharing basis between the City and community groups.”

The Ottawa Rotary Home is just such a community group. For almost 30 years, The Ottawa Rotary Home has been providing respite services to families in the Eastern Ontario region. Any child with a neuromuscular or musculoskeletal disability, which impedes mobility, or having a complex medical need that requires 24-hour nursing care, is eligible for admission to the Home’s programs. The Home supports all families of Eastern Ontario regardless of race, religion, financial, social, intellectual or physical reasons. Individual differences are celebrated and respected regarding diet, traditions, holidays, abilities and personal achievement.

Over 275 families in Eastern Ontario are registered to use our services and our 13-bed children's wing operates at a 95% occupancy rate and, while we have not yet secured provincial funding for the adult respite program, the demand to fill our 8 young adult beds is there (as approximately 230 physically disabled young adults are in the Ottawa area). We also have dozens of families on a waiting list. All would be able to access and benefit from the creation of an inclusive playground/park.

Now is the time to organize, with our city and our neighbours,the building of an inclusive playground.

In short, give us the opportunity to partner with you. We're confident that the impact we'll have, the momentum we create and the legacy we leave will amaze us all.