(Grande Prairie, Alta. – May 5, 2026) – The City of Grande Prairie joined Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities today to celebrate the official grand opening of the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground at Lions Park.

The event, hosted by Jumpstart, included remarks from Mayor Jackie Clayton and Brad Ellard, Stakeholder Relations, Lead, with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, along with members of Council, local Canadian Tire dealers David Dungey and Lisa Miller, and project partners in attendance.

Located in Lions Park, the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground is designed to support children of all abilities through accessible features that encourage physical activity, sensory play and social connection. The space includes a range of inclusive play elements that allow children of varying mobility and developmental needs to play together.

The playground officially opened for public use in September 2025, with today’s event marking a spring celebration of the space with partners.

“This playground represents a significant investment in our community and an incredible gift for Grande Prairie,” said City of Grande Prairie Mayor Jackie Clayton. “Thanks to the leadership of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the generosity of our local dealers and the City’s investment, this space will be enjoyed by children of all abilities and their families for years to come. It’s a great example of how we’re creating welcoming places where people can connect and be active together.”

“At Jumpstart, we believe every child deserves access to safe, welcoming spaces where they can play, connect and belong,” said Stuart McReynolds, Chief Operating Officer, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “This project reflects what’s possible when communities, municipalities and local partners work together to remove barriers to play. We’re proud to partner with the City of Grande Prairie and our local Canadian Tire dealers to help bring the power of inclusive play to the community and create a space that will be enjoyed by children of all abilities for years to come.”

“We are thrilled to see our vision for a Jumpstart playground in Grande Prairie finally become a reality,” said Lisa Miller, Canadian Tire Associate Dealer. “We are especially grateful for the partnership between Jumpstart and the City of Grande Prairie, and their generous support for this project on behalf of our community’s children and families.” 

Local school children were invited to take part in the celebration and enjoyed time on the playground along with a barbecue lunch to mark the occasion.

The City also recognizes McElhanney for supporting the event through the donation of food and refreshments.

The Jumpstart Inclusive Playground was made possible through a partnership between Jumpstart and the City of Grande Prairie, with support from local Canadian Tire dealers David Dungey and Lisa Miller, who contributed funding and played a key role in advancing the project. Input from the Accessibility Advisory Committee of Grande Prairie helped inform the design of the space.

The project reflects a shared commitment to creating welcoming outdoor spaces where all residents can gather, play and connect.