Years in the making, Northumberland’s “field of dreams” – formally known as the Five Counties’ “Backyard Project” – is officially a reality.
To achieve this dream, the roughly $376,000-project rallied provincial, county and community partners to transform a previously vacant 25,200-square-foot parcel of land located at the Five Counties Children’s Centre Division Street location in Cobourg.
And project partners and the community recently came together to officially celebrate the addition of a fully-accessible outdoor space, which will help Northumberland families with access to treatment, recreation, cultural awareness and outdoor education programs.
“We have so much to celebrate as our field of dreams is at last an amazing, accessible reality,” said Five Counties’ CEO Scott Pepin. “With any project of this size and scope, there were challenges to overcome, including fundraising and addressing safety, traffic and drainage issues – but in the end, the transformation of our backyard space will help transform lives and benefit many children and families in Northumberland County.”
On the big day, Pepin was ecstatic with the turnout.
“Outdoor play – outdoor treatment – is so vital,” continued Pepin, who added that while the traditional office space also works, the Northumberland Backyard Project is anticipated to be a game-changer.
The backyard has accessible features such as a rubberized track for wheelchairs, bikes and other mobility devices, sensory play equipment, and a slide, and wheelchair swing. This is in addition to raised garden beds, a stage area and gazebo, an Indigenous cultural awareness space, sunshade cover, storage sheds, and safety fencing, explained Five Counties staff.
And while there are still “a few final refinements and enhancements” in the works, the space is already a hit with local kids, families and service providers.
The project brought together several key partners, including Northumberland County, the Northumberland EarlyON Child and Family Centres, YMCA Northumberland, and the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre.
With contributions ranging from equipment to expertise, and more. These partnerships were described as crucial.
“We couldn’t have achieved what we did without our incredible community partners,” said Pepin. “All of the project partners see the value of the backyard as a way to boost programs and services for their kids, clients and families.”
With hopes of helping even more kids access treatment and accessible play, local companies, service organizations, individual donors, and the province also stepped up to help with the project.
In terms of capital funds, a $141,000 Ontario Trillium Foundation grant helped build the accessible track and other play features.
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services also committed a $255,100 capital grant to revamp and expand the parking lot and tackle related site work, as well as drainage issues at the site, which was needed before backyard construction could start, explained staff. Minister Michael Parsa was also among those who delivered remarks at the official opening, calling the completion of the backyard a huge win for kids and area families.
On behalf of the province, Parsa also thanked Five Counties staff for their work and Northumberland-Peterborough South MPP David Piccini for his advocacy efforts relating to the project.
“He was instrumental in getting this project to the finish line,” said Parsa.
Pepin echoed a similar sentiment, describing Piccini and Parsa as project champions from the outset.
Meanwhile, Northumberland County Warden Brian Ostrander believes this investment will pay off for the entire community and for years to come.
“When we can invest in children and accessibility needs for young people, we’re doing the right thing,” said Ostrander.
“I look forward to seeing what kind of growth we can see and have come out of Five Counties,” added Ostrander.
Five Counties provides speech, physio and occupational therapies, as well as additional treatment services, for kids and youth up to age 19. The organization served nearly 1,800 kids in Northumberland in the last year alone. The hope is that this space will also enhance capacity.
Early childhood educator/researcher and outdoor play specialist Dr. Beverlie Dietze said this space is vital for families, community and intergenerational learning.
Dietze describes the outdoor space as a learning lab for exploration and discovery.
“Creating outdoor spaces where children can experiment, play, learn, grow, explore and build connections is vitally important, and that’s where the Northumberland Backyard Project will benefit countless children, youth and families in the community.”
With the goal of helping clinicians and ECEs enhance outdoor play opportunities and maximize benefits for those accessing the space, Dietze also took time recently to share tips and suggestions with Five Counties and EarlyON staff.
Pepin noted there is still opportunity to grow the space as staff learn more.
(Written by: Sarah Hyatt, with files from Joseph Goden.)