Last October the Elbow Community Park Committee announced that they had been selected as one of 30 projects across Canada, and the very first in Saskatchewan, to receive a “Let Them Be Kids   Helping (LTBK) Hands Award” — funding to design and construct a new playground in Elbow!

“We are proud to be among the 30 communities across Canada whose projects have been approved and so excited to put Saskatchewan on the map,” said committee member Sarah Wilm.

Let Them Be Kids is “an all-volunteer non-profit organization, dedicated to bringing smiles, laughter and the joy of play to kids because we believe every kid has the right to play, period,” said the LTBK organization on its webpage. “We act as a catalyst to help build community capacity on the grassroots level, while building playgrounds, skate parks and fitness parks across Canada.”

It was launched across Canada in 2006 when “LTBK identified a deep need across the country; groups, large and small, needed assistance in securing of funds for the building of play structures for children who may not have the availability of safe, secure places to play.”

The organization is led by its founder, Ian Hill, and has been named “one of the four most innovative leisure programs in the world” by the World Leisure Congress.

The organization is unique because the award contributes 50 per cent of the playground structure, but it is constructed and erected in one day by over 200 community volunteers on Build Day – May 12, 2012.

This hands-on approach is part of the LTBK initiative to involve community members to participate in the organizing, designing and building of a community-built playground or skate park in order to build a better future for the next generation.

The Elbow Community Park Committee is still busy fundraising, but in less than six months has raised over $109,000 for the project! The new community park will feature a brand new playground, adult fitness equipment, a memorial peace garden, picnic areas, an Aboriginal tipi… and more!

Please join us Saturday when we show our province and country what can happen when a community works together. Small towns can do great things! Our Build Day will also be broadcast LIVE on the internet starting at 9 a.m. on May 12.