Fulton has a natural outdoor play area that enables children to connect with nature and incorporates elements such as wood, trees, plants, rocks, soil, and water. The play yard covers an area of approximately 9,600 square feet (896 m²) with features including sculptured earthwork, boulders, logs, benches, a raised deck, and a shade pergola. 90% of this area has been designed for toddlers and preschool children and 10% is the space for infants. This new play area has enough space to allow all the children to go out and play at once with shade in the summer and protection from the wind in the winter. This will maximize the children’s opportunity to play outdoors.
The benefits of naturalized play spaces are widely recognized and as a result, the trend toward creating this type of space for children is becoming increasingly apparent. This model of playground encourages cognitive, physical, social, and psychological benefit of children throughout the community. Our staff and parents want to cultivate a sense of curiosity, wonder, and respect for the natural environment and provide an opportunity to learn about and care for nature, plants, and growing things.
Along with our child development goals, we wanted the space to enable the children to spend more time outside. In order to do this, the microclimate of the playground site includes trees and a hill to provide an effective wind break so that the children can play outside on windier days, and trees, shelters, and pergolas to provide shade and allow the children to remain outside for longer periods of time on hot days.
Thank you to all our supporters who contributed to the development of this signature space!
- Government of Alberta Culture and Tourism – Community Facility Enhancement Program (CFEP)
- Edmonton Community Foundation
- The Stollery Charitable Foundation
- Fulton Place Community League
- Capilano Community League
- Fraternal Order of Eagles 4241
- South East Community Leagues Association (SECLA)
- CGI
- Helping Hands
- Fort Ed. Management Co.
- Our families and friends!