Community playboxes designed to ignite creativity and active play in local parks

On Family Day, Feb. 12, 2018,  two community playboxes were unveiled on the North Shore. The two parks with playboxes are Ray Perrault (1310 E. Grand Blvd.) and Eldon (4010 Ruby Ave).

Playboxes are metal boxes installed in community parks that contain equipment and ideas for active play. The boxes on the North Shore are designed as a treasure chest. They contain a parachute, balls, large wooden blocks, bean bags, and other assorted items. Game ideas with instructions are also made available to encourage families to engage with each other and with others in the park. There are two game boards on the top of the playbox with magnetic pieces inside the box for chess and backgammon.  These boxes are unlocked during the day and the return of items is on an honour system.

Playboxes are metal boxes installed in community parks that contain equipment and ideas for active play.

This initiative was spearheaded by Jane White from North Shore Community Resources with funding from Success By 6 and a short-term “Vulnerabilities Project”. Many organizations participated to make this initiative a reality.

The City of North Vancouver was represented by: Juliana Buitenhuis, Jill Cameron, Heather Evans and Jessica Oakes. The District of North Vancouver was represented by Christina Rucci, Susan Rogers, Harry Ruggenberg and Brad Snelling (Harry created the play box design). North Vancouver Recreation, Parks and Culture was represented by Trish Holmes and Stacy Yeats. Vancouver Coastal Health was represented by Joan Brown, Program Leader for Early Years Nursing.

“Hopefully, these playboxes will enhance the environment, remove some barriers to access active outdoor play and foster social connectedness on the North Shore,” says Joan.