Edmonton’s Lynnwood community opens first accessible playground
Posted June 14, 2026 11:31 am.
Last Updated June 14, 2026 11:34 am.
After five years in the making, a west Edmonton community opened its first accessible playground on Saturday.
Parents like Liz Lahaye, whose son Francis has cerebral palsy, are grateful to have an inclusive playground in their neighbourhood.
“It helps a lot with his caregivers and with the teachers, making their lives easier and him more able to do a lot of these things on the day-to-day,” said Lahaye. “He’s completely non-ambulatory, so he’s unable to walk there on his legs, so his legs don’t work typically.”
Lahaye explained that the old playground was inaccessible for her son, including difficulties getting on and off the equipment. She said Francis was often injured while trying to use the previous playground, including its slide.
“Before it was accessible, and I jumped off, my head cut open to pieces off my forehead, which was actually its scab and would keep bleeding every time,” said Francis.
“It was almost torturous for him previously,” said Lahaye. “Just given you know he’d have to watch the other kids play. He wasn’t able to get up to a lot of the equipment.”
Lahaye said the new playground has helped Francis rediscover his love of outdoor play.
“Friends and peers ran over to him,” said Lahaye. “He’s able to roll himself onto a lot of the elements of the playground. Definitely has brought up his spirits. Definitely made him more socially able to be around his friends.”
Located in west Edmonton, the playground features a communication board, a wheelchair-accessible merry-go-round and an accessible swing. The Lynnwood Community League says it received approximately $1.1 million through grants and community fundraising efforts to make the project a reality. Planning and construction took five years.
“We’ve created an environment where everyone deserves to play,” said Justin Duval, vice-president of the Lynnwood Community League. “Being at a playground is about making connections and relationships, and we believe this gives our children the opportunity to make connections together.”
“I hope that this becomes a standard where you are looking at accessibility for all people in the neighbourhood and where communities can come together to build great spaces like this,” said Thu Parmar, councillor for Ward Sipiwiyiniwak.
For Francis, the new playground means he can play whenever he wants and explore every piece of equipment it has to offer.
“Every school day, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday … try everything per day,” said Lahaye.
