Debbie J Wamboldt, ASL interpreter and Mayor Darlene Norman at the official opening of Etli Milita’mk play park. Photo Courtesy Region of Queens, Councillor David Brown.
The Region of Queens officially opened the universally designed playpark on Friday, Oct 13.
Executive Director of Autism Nova Scotia Cynthia Carrol joined Region of Queens staff and council members as well as Debbie Wamboldt, the woman who led the effort to put together the $600,000 to build the park in officially opening the doors to the playground.
Wamboldt first approached the Region of Queens about supporting the construction of a universally designed park in 2015. The Region since provided the land at Queens Place next to the skate park and will own, operate, and maintain the park for residents.
In addition to the land contribution, the municipality kicked in $112,000 from the community fund with the province topping off the rest of the funding.
But it was the efforts of Wamboldt and her team who raised approximately $100,000 which spurred the rest of the agencies to follow suit.
Autism Nova Scotia issued charitable tax receipts to donors and held the money in trust to pay the Region for construction as invoices were submitted.
Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman says the generosity of residents came in all forms.
“You see pictures of children who, all they wanted for their birthday presents was money so they could give it to the play park. I knew of children that with the help of their mother, they set up a little bakery and they kept a set of books, all the profit went to the play park,” said Norman. “There were many, many things.”
A universally designed playpark is built to be inclusive of everyone, regardless of age or ability.
The park includes ramped decks, braille and audio elements as well as a spray pad with sprinklers, a fountain, filler buckets and jet spray units.
The name Etli Milita’mk (pronounced ed-a-lee milly-dumk) was selected for the playpark after consultation with Acadia First Nation representatives. The Mi’kmaq phrase means, “We are playing here”.
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The Region of Queens proposed new Land Use Bylaw has ruffled feathers amongst area homesteaders.
The new bylaw, which passed through first reading at the February 22 council meeting sets out rules for what, where and how anything can be built in Queens as well as what activities can take place on those properties.
Debbie J Wamboldt is a member of the Facebook group Homesteading and Growing in Queens.
She says members of the group feel some parts of the new bylaw will severely restrict their ability to raise livestock and grow food on their properties for their personal consumption.
“A lot of people joining our group who have moved here from really urban places, city places, where they felt like they could move to Milton and they would be able to have animals and they would be able to have livestock,” said Wamboldt. “They felt like they could move to Port Medway and Port Mouton and have livestock and their plans are up in the air now because of all of this.”
The proposed bylaw sets out how many animals a person can raise based on the type of animal and how much space is available on the property.
Wamboldt says even when owners have the space, the cost of building the fences and structures required to meet the proposed bylaw can be prohibitive.
“Generally, it’s not going to impact like, our ability to have livestock or anything like that because we do own 27 acres. But as far as building restrictions go, it kind of puts a chokehold on our creativity as to how we were gonna be able to even afford to do it. You know I don’t see building material prices coming down anytime soon,” said Wamboldt.
Under the Municipal Government Act, municipalities like the Region of Queens are required to review their land-use bylaws every 10 years.
The process began with the previous council in 2018 and was well underway when the new council was elected in the early days of the pandemic in 2020.
Wamboldt says she was unaware of any opportunities to provide feedback on the proposed changes during that time.
Region of Queens Mayor Darlene Norman says she had staff dig out old copies of the Municipal Matters flyers.
She says the information bulletin from the Region, distributed to residents across the municipality, announced several public engagement sessions but those were poorly attended.
Since passing first reading, the Region has hosted two public sessions to hear residents’ concerns.
Norman says some of what she heard during those sessions was eye-opening.
“So, what I learned from those two public sessions and the fallout afterward, was there was a surprisingly large amount of people in Queens County who had no idea that land use zoning and planning was adopted in 2009. Suddenly there’s people who are [saying] you know you have no right to tell me what I can do in my land, I own my own land. You know, how do you make people realize that we live in a society, and this is societal rules and when people move into a community they expect to know what can and cannot happen in that community,” said Norman.
Because the proposed bylaw has passed first reading, any new applications for permits must meet all existing rules as well as those contained in the proposed bylaw for 150 days.
Aside from some rezoning and now allowing residents to raise up to five chickens in most parts of the region, Norman says most of the rules haven’t changed since 2009.
“And it is unfortunate that people have started up small farms since 2009 on not the amount of land they need for the animals they have because they threw everything out that they get from the region of Queens in the garbage because they only thing they get from the region of Queens are bills. Well, that’s unfortunate,” said Norman. “People need to be responsible for themselves. I don’t care if they live in downtown Liverpool or on the border of Queens and Shelburne. People need to take their own responsibility and keep themselves informed.”
Norman says staff will be presenting a report to council at their April 12 meeting to provide options for revising the bylaw or passing it, as is.
If the bylaw goes ahead, it could go into effect sometime in the fall.
Future site of Etli Militamk Universally Designed Play Park. Photo Ed Halverson
A cancelled ground-breaking ceremony could be the start of a series of setbacks in the construction of the new Universal Play Park.
A snowstorm cancelled last week’s festivities at the play park’s future location beside the skate park at Queens Place in Liverpool but it’s the pandemic that is wreaking havoc on the construction schedule.
Chair of the fundraising committee Debbie J Wamboldt says building the park by spring will be difficult.
“Things aren’t looking very good from what we’re hearing from the companies, with the shipping delays and all of this,” said Wamboldt.
A request for proposals for construction of the play structure has been issued by the Region of Queens.
Due to the disruption in supply chains for goods and materials around the world caused by COVID-19, Wamboldt says companies bidding on the project aren’t willing to commit to a spring completion date.
The fundraising committee originally set a target of $450,000 but after five years of effort they’ve exceeded amount and are closing in on $600,000.
Wamboldt says even with an increase in the cost of materials since they established their goal, the park will exceed the group’s original designs.
“Hopefully the pricing isn’t too drastic with all the COVID and the shipping and all of that,” said Wamboldt. “But we still should be able to put in a park that is significantly more than what we were looking at with a $450,000 budget, so it’s exciting.”
The good news is the park now has a name.
At their last meeting, Region of Queens council unanimously approved the choice put forward by the fundraising team.
Mayor Darlene Norman says council welcomed a name that reflected and honoured the diverse cultures in Queens.
“The PAC Autism Nova Scotia Society wished it to be named Etli Militamk. (Pronounced: ed a lee Milly Dumk). Which basically means, we are playing here. That is a Mi’kmaq name,” said Norman.
Wamboldt is disappointed the snow forced the cancellation of the ground-breaking ceremony but after years of effort, she is anticipating welcoming the community to the grand opening of the newly christened park in summer.
“I envision a big party, you know, with hot dogs and cake and music and a big celebration,” said Wamboldt. “I’m looking forward to that.”
In the meantime, the Queens Universally Designed Play Park fundraising association has announced a smudging ceremony will take place on the future site Monday December 20 at 11:00am.
Preliminary proposed design of park. Contributed by Queens universally designed play park committee
A four-year fundraising effort to build an accessible play park in Liverpool has exceeded its goals.
The Queens Universally Designed Play Park fundraising committee had a goal of $450,000 when they launched the campaign in 2017.
Chair Debbie J Wamboldt hasn’t had a chance to compile the final total but says the community has stepped up in a big way this summer; in particular, the anonymous donor who came forward to match community donations.
“I was just so humbled and grateful for someone to say, I really want to help you. I want you guys to get across the finish line and this is how I think we can do it and I’m committed to helping you guys do it,” sad Wamboldt. “And then when the community stepped up, I was flabbergasted. I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”
At the beginning of August, the group needed to raise $35,000 to reach their goal.
The community pitched in and with the help of the matching donations the fundraisers took in almost $45,000, $10,000 more than they had hoped for.
Another source came from the generosity of the Fralic family who asked donations be made to the park in memory of Todd Fralic.
The community isn’t finished giving yet as the Liverpool Tim Horton’s will be donating the proceeds from the sale of their smile cookies to the play park.
Now that the funding is secured Wamboldt is keen to get a final design approved.
“The technology, even since our first talks with these companies has changed. It changes every year and the standards and things change every year so I’m super excited to see what they come up with,” said Wamboldt. “Now knowing we have a little bit more money to play with, it’s really exciting.”
Wamboldt expects to issue tender requests shortly for a company to design and build the universally designed play park.
The final design will need to meet seven standards of universal design to ensure the park can be used by people of all ages and abilities.
Wamboldt says once the design is in place and the contractor hired, she expects the park, to be located next to Queens Place, will be ready to use in spring 2022.
Debbie J Wamboldt stands on the future play park site. Photo submitted by Debbie J Wamboldt
Efforts to build a new universally designed play park in Liverpool are rounding the home stretch.
For five years chairperson of the universally designed play park fundraising committee, Debbie J Wamboldt and her team of dedicated volunteers have scoured the region to raise the $450,000 needed to realize their vision.
To date they’ve amassed $415,000 and with $35,000 left to go, Wamboldt is highly optimistic they will reach their goal before summer is out.
“Our community is stepping up and I have no words for how proud I am,” said Wamboldt.
The universally designed play park will be situated between the existing skate park and Queens County search and rescue building next to Queens Place Emera Centre.
Wamboldt says community members have contributed through private donations and so many events such as: Touch-a-truck, fundraising walks, bottle collection and placing donations in the collection box at the Liverpool Shell.
Wamboldt says some of those grants come with conditions that require the group to meet certain goals by fall such as preparing budgets and issuing tenders so they can break ground in the spring.
The universally designed play park is different than other playgrounds as it follows the seven principles of inclusive design.
Wamboldt some people have a hard time understanding those guiding principles behind the park and why a play area like this is so necessary.
“Basically they are a way of designing a space so that there is it equitable use for everyone. There should be no barriers to your use of this place,” Wamboldt . “So regardless of your ability, you can use it regardless of your age, you can use it regardless of your religion, race, any orientation, you will be able to use this space.”
The park will be comprised of a large play structure, swings and a splash pad but Wamboldt says the final design won’t be set until they have reached their fundraising goal.
She says she knows she can count on Queens County residents to get them the rest of the way.
“Now’s the time,” said Wamboldt. “If you’re on the fence about helping, it’s going to become a reality.”
Preliminary proposed design of park. Contributed by Queens universally designed play park committee
The Queens universally designed playground committee is closing in on their fundraising goal.
The committee is looking to raise $450,000 to build a playground that is accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
The group received an unexpected $5,000 donation this week from the South Shore chapter of Autism Nova Scotia.
Chairperson of the Queens universally designed playpark committee Debbie J Wamboldt says she had no idea the money was coming, despite the fact she is a member of the local Autism NS chapter.
“I didn’t have any say in this,” said Wamboldt. “It was something that the chapter wanted to do. They’ve supported the park from the very beginning and of course, our mandate is inclusion.”
The committee has raised $356,000 of the $450,000 needed to build the play park. They’ve received funding from three levels of government totalling $260,000, private donations of $10,000 from Telus and $50,000 from the J and W Murphy Foundation and approximately $36,000 from local community groups and individual donors.
The Region of Queens also donated the land at 72 Old Cobbs Barn Road, which will situate the play park next to the skate park and across from Queens Place.
Wamboldt says because the site is close to amenities but away from traffic and water it’s ideal for autistic children like hers, who may wander off.
It was a drive with her son a few years ago that motivated Wamboldt to push for the inclusive play park.
“When you’re a kid and you see all the other kids playing, we had a moment in the car where we drove by and he was crying in the back seat, asking me why we can’t go and we can’t play at a park with his friends. Because the parks are not safe for children with flight risks or children with disabilities,”said Wamboldt.
She says the group plans to break ground on the park sometime this spring.
They still need to issue a request for proposals, but Wamboldt says once a builder is selected, construction shouldn’t take longer than six weeks.
She admits the group is a bit concerned about starting work on the site without having the full amount in hand but says the support they’ve received to this point gives them confidence the funding will come through.
“You know, we’re throwing a Hail Mary and we’re really going for it,” said Wamboldt. “Behind the scenes we’re pushing, we’re looking at grants, we’re looking at who can we approach, who would be interested in having a hand in building this.”
Wamboldt says as far as she knows, the universally designed playpark will be the only one of its kind in Atlantic Canada, making it a draw for people from all around.
She’s excited the park will serve as an example of what inclusive design can mean.
“Once you make things accessible to people with disabilities, you make them accessible to everybody.”
