New communication boards added to St. John's playgrounds

St. John’s has added communication boards to playgrounds across the city. In total, 30 boards have been developed as part of this initiative.

The city has installed 24 boards in City-owned playgrounds, with Bowring Park to follow and five boards are being donated to community organizations that supported funding, design, or serve children who will benefit directly, including the Autism Society, Ronald McDonald House, Easter Seals, the Janeway, and the Association for New Canadians.

These boards are designed to support inclusive play, social interaction, language development, and new ways to communicate. One side of each board features common playground words and symbols, while the other provides instructions for use.

This project was made possible through the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Accessibility Grant and with support from the City’s Inclusion Advisory Committee, who played a key role in the design process.

Playgrounds with new communication boards include:

• Bannerman Park, Military Road

• Brophy Place Park, 31 Brophy Place

• Buckmaster’s Rotary Park, 25 Buckmasters Circle

• Cowan Park, 62 Canada Drive

• Drake Crescent Park, 21A Drake Crescent

• Cashin Avenue/Vimy/Froude Park, 59 Froude Avenue

• Galway Village Green, 35 Claddagh Road

• Goulds Recreation Complex, 509 Main Road

• Kelly’s Brook Park, 54 Hoyles Avenue

• Kenmount Terrace Community Centre, 85 Messenger Drive

• Kenny’s Pond Park, 115 MacDonald Drive

• Kilbride Lions Community Centre, 34 Fahey Street

• Larch Park, 66 Carpasian Road

• McNiven Park, 108 McNiven Place

• Canadian Tire Jumpstart Playground at the new H.G.R. Mews Community Centre, 60 Blackler Avenue

• Paul Reynolds Community Centre, 35 Carrick Drive

• Quidi Vidi West Park, 66 The Boulevard

• Harry Yetman Shea Heights Park, 85 Linegar Avenue

• Southlands Community Centre, 40 Teakwood Drive

• Spruce Meadows Park, 56 Stirling Crescent

• St. Mary’s Park, 124 Waterford Bridge Road

• Torngat Crescent Park, 46 Torngat Crescent

• Victoria Park, 34 Sudbury Street

• Wishingwell Park, 15 Terra Nova Road

• Bowring Park (awaiting installation), 305 Waterford Bridge Road