New Westminster, BC – The City of New Westminster will celebrate the official opening of the Sapperton Adventure Playground and Spray Park, located on the corner of East Columbia Street and Sherbrook Street. The ceremony for the recently renovated park will take place from 10:30 am – 12:30 pm on Monday, June 26 and will be attended by Mayor Jonathan Coté, City Councillors, neighbourhood students, local businesses, and City staff.

As part of the first phase of the project, New Westminster Parks and Recreation staff initiated an engaging and collaborative public process that generated ideas from local residents, including the children at the neighbouring elementary school.  As a result, the playground will offer a wide range of adventure play activities for kids of all ages and abilities.

“This playground was designed after extensive consultation with children and families,” stated Mayor Jonathan Coté. “Talking with children about their new playground empowered them to apply their creativity and vision. We helped turn those great ideas into something tangible, and you can see in them a sense of pride and ownership, as well as the knowledge that their input was valued.”

Through Government of Canada funding, the City of New Westminster was able to design a brand new playground and spray park. The new space not only appeals to children, but also considers the comfort of parents and caregivers with improved sight lines to the different play spaces, shaded seating areas, and  social gathering spaces.

“Sapperton Park has been redesigned for true adventure,” said Parks and Open Space Planner Erika Mashig, “There are opportunities to interact with natural materials like sand, water, grass mounds and boulders, and dynamic play structures built from locally sourced cedar logs that provide physical challenges and foster creative play.”

The opening day event will begin at 10:30am with special performances by Royal City Parkour, Richard McBride and Lord Tweedsmuir choirs, and activities by Red Fox Healthy Living Society.

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Contact:
Dean Gibson
Director, Parks and Recreation
City of New Westminster
604-527-4628 or