Calgary Public Library has opened its first outdoor Early Learning Centre at Forest Lawn Library.
The Forest Lawn Library Nature Playground will help Calgary’s kids learn and develop foundational skills through play and was funded by the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program and Friends of the Library.
“The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program represents a sense of unity for Canadians,” said Canadian Minister of Veteran Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence, Kent Hehr. “The Forest Lawn Library Nature Playground will bring community members together through a shared interest in learning more about our environment and the outdoors.”
Image: Courtesy Edelman PR
The fully accessible space features large-scale letters for children to play in, under, and around, surfaces for writing and drawing, and moveable elements that children can interact with. There are also raised berms which provide a sensory and spatial feature.
The playground was constructed using a variety of recycled materials, including steel for the fencing and benches, recovered wood for safety surfacing and tree stump seating that would have otherwise become firewood.
The Calgary Public Library has opened Early Learning Centres at five libraries since 2016 with this one being the first outdoor learning centre.
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