10 Fun Facts About The Gilmore Park Playground
To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Gilmore Park Playground Revitalization we have compiled 10 fun facts!!
#1 The balance beam in Gilmore Park was incorporated in the playground design at the request of neighbourhood kids who wanted to play the game grounders!
#2 The 'branch' under the slide in Gilmore Park feels like a branch! When the playground was designed 10 years ago it was intentional to incorporate features for the senses.
#3 Shade in Gilmore Park was a priority identified by the community. This is why we have a gazebo, more trees, and tall structures that provide shaded places to play and gather!
#4 Our community prioritized building a playground for a wider age range (previously equipment was only for ages 5-12). Strathcona County supported this request allowing us to add a toddler area!
#5 Prior to selecting a playground supplier, Gilmore Park Community League board members and their families visited other playgrounds in Sherwood Park and Edmonton to find popular, well-made equipment. Habitat Systems was chosen as the supplier. One installer said we chose the 'Cadillac' of play equipment.
#6 August 7, 2013 it was pouring rain but the rain stopped just in time for a playground grand opening celebration!! Over 200 people were in attendance. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony, Pasta Pantry served food, Confetti Sweets donated cookies, and Dave Anderson brought his root beer truck. Local resident Jessica Lana McLean sang, Mugsy the Clown entertained the crowd, plus there was drumming. Glen Allan residents connected and celebrated all of the many efforts and contributions towards the playground project!
#7 Over the years Gilmore Park has been called the "spider web playground" because of the net between the two towers. At the time of design some parents called the net the "vortex of doom" lol. Most kids quickly master the climb and enjoy hanging out or hanging upside down on the net!
#8 During construction the Glen Allan community had the opportunity to stamp their hands in the concrete surrounding the gazebo in Gilmore Park! A precious mark in the park for all who participated!!
#9 In 2013 the previous Gilmore Park play equipment was put into storage until plans and fundraising was in place to relocate the equipment to St. Helene in Honduras. With the help of the Emmanuel Foundation and our local and international Rotary clubs, a handful of Glen Allan residents rebuilt the playground along with one structure from Jean Vanier School (now St. Nicholas) in 2014!
#10 Gilmore Park is a great neighbourhood park but it's how neighbours bring it to life that is the best!! Since it was redeveloped in 2013, throughout every season, the Gilmore Park Community League has brought neighbours together at this 'bumping place' to eat, make music, do art, clean-up, meet-up, watch shows, connect with nature, and play! A big shoutout to the ongoing care so many Glen Allan neighbours have shown to this shared place and to one another.
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