A first-of-its-kind inclusive playground is coming to Winkler this summer.

The $700,000 project is a collaboration between Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, local donors and the City of Winkler to remove all accessibility barriers for children and their caregivers.

Nestled in the centre of the Winkler Park beside the Winkler Aquatic Centre, the 7,000 sq. ft. structure is being fast-tracked thanks to donations from local Canadian Tire Dealer David Dunseath and his wife Lori Dunseath, as well as local resident Rose Toews, in memory of her husband Ryan Toews.

"Through opportunities to support Jumpstart in our community, we saw that kids face more than just financial barriers to sport and recreation, and we wanted to help address those barriers," Dunseath explains. "The inclusive Jumpstart Playground is a tangible way for us to continue giving back to our community by helping give all kids the opportunity to play."

He notes the park will include a merry-go-round equipped for wheelchairs, and slides designed to negate static electricity for kids with hearing aids, as well as Autism-friendly sensory activities.

It's the second Jumpstart inclusive playground in Manitoba, and the first to be built outside of a major centre in Canada. Jumpstart has built a total of seven inclusive playgrounds in communities like Winnipeg, Charlottetown, Toronto, Prince Albert and Surrey. Jumpstart playgrounds in St. John’s and Edmonton will break ground in 2020.

"We are proud to work with the City of Winkler to bring Jumpstart’s newest inclusive playground to life," said Scott Fraser, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities President. "The generosity of the City, David and Lori Dunseath, and the Toews family will help bring profound change to the community by creating a space that will be enjoyed by kids of all abilities, and their families, for years to come."

The playground is expected to open this summer.

Left to right, Winkler councilors Michael Grenier, Karina Bueckert, Marvin Plett, Lindsay Joseph, Manager of Inclusive Play Projects with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities with Glenn McLean, Regional Manager of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, David Dunseath, Winkler Canadian Tire Dealer, Winkler Mayor Martin Harder, Councilor Don Fehr, Lori Dunseath, Councilor Henry Siemens, and Rose Toews with grandson Brody, and her daughter Randi and son-in-law Eric, Councilor Andrew Froese.