News Release

SUSSEX (GNB) - A celebration took place today to mark the completion of the Discovery Park in Sussex.

“The provincial government invests in community projects such as Discovery Park to promote active, healthy lifestyles,” said Service New Brunswick Minister Ed Doherty. “We are proud to be a partner in this important recreational community project for the entire Sussex community.”

Doherty spoke on behalf of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour Minister Donald Arseneault, who is also minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation.

“The federal government is committed to reducing barriers to accessibility to ensure that everyone can participate on an equal basis,” said Fundy Royal MP Alaina Lockhart. “The Sussex Discovery Park will play an integral role in the daily lives of local residents and will help to ensure that all children can play and learn together for many years to come.”

Lockhart attended the event for federal Innovation, Science and Economic Development Minister Navdeep Bains, who is also minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA).

Located next to Sussex Elementary School, the 1,400 square metre playground was transformed into a nature-inspired space that promotes play for all.

The park uses universal design principles to ensure children and adults of all ages, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds can meaningfully explore various forms of play. The park integrates natural elements into accessible areas of creative, cognitive, social and physical play, and also provides quiet retreat areas.

A universal designed playground is intended to offer fun and challenges for all while assisting in eliminating discrimination and in promoting social interaction and participation. 

The provincial government provided $25,000 and the federal government, through ACOA, provided $35,500 under the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program for the upgrades to the existing playground. The project organizers raised more than $210,178 in cash and in-kind contributions.

In 2015, the federal government also provided $50,000 towards the development of the park through the Department of Employment and Social Development.

“Discovery Park is an effort to create natural, inclusive design that brought hundreds of Sussex and area residents together in a common goal,” said Meghan Wong, Discovery Park Committee co-chair and project site manager. “It is a project that highlights for our community and others that when you focus on ability, all people can be included in an aesthetically pleasing, highly-functional, playful design. The space is unique in our area of the country with 85 per cent of the play features being meaningfully and playfully inclusive.”