Wheelchair-Accessible Liberty Swings Now Operational in Local Parks

Two new wheelchair-accessible swings are now available for use in Tri-Region parks, as part of the City of Spruce Grove and Town of Stony Plain’s commitment to improving accessibility in our communities.

The initiative was made possible by a donation from Colleen and John Prince of Parkland County. Cohesive Communities, a grassroots group of parents, professionals, and advocates for inclusion of disabled children and youth purchased the swings and partnered with the two municipalities to have them installed. The Liberty Swings were manufactured in Australia and allow people who use a wheelchair, or those who require extra support, to enjoy the playground alongside friends and family. The user can easily enter the swing and have their wheelchair securely and safely attached to the structure or use the built-in seat with the safety belt.

“Reducing barriers and improving access to facilities, programs, and services is something we identified in our 2022-2025 Strategic Plan as a top priority for Council,” said Spruce Grove Mayor Jeff Acker. “The Liberty Swing is a great example of how we’re engaging with our community partners to address inequities and provide our residents with the amenities they need. We want to make sure our parks and playgrounds are accessible to every single resident who wants to use them, and we’re so pleased to see this enhancement at Jubilee Park.”

“The addition of these Liberty Swings is a significant step towards our goal of creating an inclusive community, where everyone has equal access to facilities and services,” said Stony Plain Mayor William Choy. “It’s heartening to see the results of the partnership between the municipalities and the Foundation for Cohesive Communities. These swings will have a positive impact on the lives of many residents, and we’re proud to have them in our Tri-Region.”

The Liberty Swings are now operational at Jubilee Park in Spruce Grove and Rotary Park in Stony Plain. The swings each have a QR code attached, linking to an instructional video which provides the user with a step-by-step guide on how to operate the swing.

“Cohesive Communities is so excited to have received this generous donation and for our partnership with the City of Spruce Grove and the Town of Stony Plain to bring these Liberty Swings to our communities,” said Amy Quintal, President of the Foundation for Cohesive Communities. “As a committed group of advocates for accessibility and inclusion, we are thrilled to have two new wheelchair-accessible swings in local parks. This is an example of our mission and vision coming to life, where the stories of our families help reimagine the environments in which we live, work and play”.

Each of the swings requires a specialized key to operate; plans must be made ahead of time for residents who wish to use them. See more information about the Spruce Grove Liberty Swing and the Stony Plain Liberty Swing.