All that Malic Elhommossany wanted was for his mom, Jacki, to push him in a swing. That tiny bit of inspiration culminated with the grand opening of the fully inclusive, fully accessible playground at Fireside School on the crisp, sunny morning of Oct. 27. “This is not about a playground, it’s about our community and showing our youth there’s a place for everyone,” said Laura McDonald, past president of Friends of Fireside – the playground committee that fundraised the $400,000 to build the playground last month at the school that opened in 2017. Kids of all ages and abilities clambered around the cutting edge technology that makes the park a standout from its Cochrane counterparts – from the adaptable swings to musical instruments to special climbing structures and monkey bars. At the centre of it all was seven-year-old Malic – grinning ear-to-ear as dad, Ahmed, helps his son climb across the very structures that he dreamed of climbing across, but had to sit on the sidelines and watch from a distance. “What if we could create a space where any child could find a space perfect for them?” reflected Malic’s mom, Jacki, addressing the crowd with gratitude for their support to fundraise for the unique project that could finally allow her son, who has cerebral palsy, to take part in outdoor play like his peers. School principal Thomas Elbel delivered a speech, praising the playground as a “beacon of inclusivity,” adding his hope that playgrounds such as this one become the new standard. Tim Aylesworth of Park N Play Design Co., the installers of the playground, commended the group for its “unwavering commitment and support.” Jeff Faber, Alberta Recycling board vice-chair, was also on deck to present a $30,000 donation to the cause. “There were 5,070 tires that did not go into the landfill and that went into this surface,” said Faber. Mayor Jeff Genung and Coun. Susan Flowers were at the ceremony, representing the town. The Friends of Fireside committee has also lent their support to the fully-inclusive and accessible playground build that recently built out phase one at Centennial Park in the East End of Cochrane
