Let Them Be Kids - Innisfail

One Month Ago

2010-07-08T15:22:00.000-07:00

One month has passed since we came together to raise the spirit of the neighborhood and build our wonderful park. It is interesting to note that the park has had excellent attendance since the build. Not a day has gone by without it being enjoyed by children and their parents. The land has remained clean, the grass is growing, the trees have passed their blossoms, and the equipment looks wonderful.

Pictures from the Day

2010-06-08T07:47:00.000-07:00

A HUGE thank you goes out to Marcel Keays - the man behind the lens - who captured the spirit of our day so well. We are posting just a few of the many that he took here on the website, but please feel free to head over to Marcel's website to check out the other 460! You can find them at http://www.marcelkeays.blogspot.com.

Thanks again to all of you who came out and gave us a big hand - you look great!

Enjoy.

Thank you for your great work

2010-06-07T09:03:00.000-07:00

On behalf of the Let Them Be Kids organization, and the local Innisfail playground committee, I would like thank you for helping with the outstanding effort this past Saturday! Although I could not be there myself, I did watch the live broadcast and it looked like everything went awesome(here is the link for you to watch some of the interviews from that day http://www.ustream.tv/channel/ltbk---innisfail . We are an all volunteer organization with no paid staff, so we know how hard it is to pull something like this off. Your local committee did an outstanding job and should be commended for the hours, days, weeks and months they spent on this project. They took time from their own families to make the community better. All of you should be very proud of what you have done as well, because you gave time, talent and many of you gave your treasure to make the community better for kids and families. I would suggest that your collective efforts sent out a ripple of hope, that will affect your community for years to come, I encourage you to remember the spirit and sense the of community you felt last Saturday and draw upon that as you all work together to build a thriving community for the kids and families of today and for the generation to come. I have attached the team picture for you to keep as both a thank you and also a reminder of what can happen when communities come together… Again thank you and stay well, cheers-Ian

It's Built!!

2010-06-06T18:09:00.000-07:00

Well, June 5th finally arrived and what a day it was!! A HUGE thank you to all of our volunteers. We can't believe just how incredibly everything went. All of you who came out were exceptional volunteers and we cannot thank you for everything you did on that day.

A huge thanks to all of our donors and to all of those who spread the word about what this project means.

Thanks to everyone who did an interview for our live broadcast, too!

It was beautiful to see all the kids run on to the playground and jump on the play structure. There were lots of kids still there last night and again today!!

We hope this is a day we talk about for a very long time. Pictures coming soon!

Please feel free to leave your thoughts on this blog so we can keep the conversation going.

Two Days To Go!!

2010-06-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

It's been 6 months, and it is hard to believe that we have arrived at the pre-building stage. The volunteer crew is out working in the rain to prep the site for our build day on Saturday. We have lots of volunteers signed up and we can't wait to see you all out on Saturday, rain or shine.

Whether you will be building the playground, exercise equipment, planting flowers, cleaning up the neighbhourhood, or contributing to our urban art wall - there will be plenty of things to do!

Thanks again to everyone who has contributed, and will continue to contribute to this excellent initiative.

Volunteer work crews are plugging away Thursday and Friday to prep the site for Saturday

Build Day Schedule

2010-05-28T14:09:00.000-07:00

Let Them Be Kids – Innisfail
Dr. Greg Ritson-Bennett Park Build

Schedule of Events: Saturday June 5, 2010

6:00 a.m. Set up.

7:00a.m. Registration opens. Coffee and muffins are available for morning volunteers.

REGISTRATION TABLE The registration table will be in the Back Alley on the east side of the park will have the registration tables where you can sign in, complete your waivers and get your t-shirt

PARKING We have allocated 49th Street and the CO-OP parking lot for parking your car. There will be NO access to 46th Ave. as it will be closed for construction equipment and materials.

FOOD: We are planning to feed you right! Please bring your own coffee mug as we are trying to be ‘green’. Water will be provided. Food and first aid booths will be located in the Heartland Funeral Home parking lot.

7:30 a.m. Childcare registration open.

CHILDCARE REGISTRATION TABLE will be in the United Church Hall. Childcare waiver forms will be supplied. Parents are required to sign-in and sign-out their children.

8:00 a.m. Build Day Begins.

REMINDER: all volunteers must check in at the registration table.
If you have not registered on the website yet, please do so at www.innisfail.ltbk.ca

11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Lunch is served for volunteers and children.

LUNCH will be served in the Heartland Funeral Home parking lot. Children in childcare will be fed at the United Church Hall

3:00 p.m. Childcare ends.

PICK UP: Children can be picked up to make their way to the park for the opening ceremonies. Children are welcomed to stay and play after the ceremonies are complete.

3:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies, Dedication and Ribbon Cutting is set to begin.

4:00 p.m. Take-down.

We look forward to meeting all of you! Thank you again for your support, your participation and the opportunity to help create a better place for our children, families, friends and community.

Additional Information

· WHAT TO WEAR: Dress for activity, although none of the work is overly strenuous, you should be dressed for working around the “yard”... you are going to get dirty and want to dress for it...please no open toe shoes or sandals. Please bring work gloves if you have them!

· FIRST AID and PORT-A-POTTIES: First aid booths and port-a-potties will be located in the Heartland Funeral Home/Pem-Co parking lot

Art Space Created

2010-05-28T13:26:00.000-07:00

When it rains.... we pour!!!

Pictured here are workers preparing the site by pouring cement for the retaining wall on the south side of the park.

Interestingly, this wall when dry and ready, will be Innisfail's newest art space which will allow impermanent, ongoing free expression. Bring wall paint and be the first to make a mark.

Park Redesign

2010-05-28T12:28:00.000-07:00

Our equipment dimensions caused us to reshape the look of the park. Here is the new layout to be put in place in 8 days from today!

13 days left - Stories of Hope

2010-05-22T18:31:00.000-07:00

There are few remaining days before the park build, and there has been many people step forward in wonderful and surprising ways to show their heart and support for the spirit of the project. Here are a few stories we have cherished and we hope to post more:

Recently, a woman who had been a teacher for many years and is now retired stepped forward out of the blue with her financial contribution. She had witnessed over the years benefits children receive when given a safe place to play. She wanted us to know that our work was good and in the right place for building a stronger community foundation. Also, she had been a patient of Greg's for many years and thought if he were still alive he would be very involved in the project. She shared her memories of Greg and then wished us well.

Quite awhile back, when we were going door-to-door for dotmocracy day one of the volunteers encountered a man that was astonished and pleased to be invited an opportunity to be part of a neighborhood grassroots venture. He commented that he had been living in Innisfail for quite some time and had NEVER been invited to share his thoughts about the place he lived in or asked to contribute. He offered his support.

A large service group was meeting after being approached for a donation. While the group went back and forth on their decision and became divided, a small strong voice countered all opinion and struck a chord. She quietly stated that they were a service group, and what more where they there for? Children need a place to play. How could they help?
The cheque to the park committee came in the next day.

These stories are not news headliners but they are examples of how people, when their heart and mind is in the right place, can make a difference.

We have heard people complain, make excuses and criticise. Do these things ever help?

Like Ian Hill said while visiting for Envision Innisfail, "You can't talk community, you have to DO community." He also said, "If we always do what is always done, then we'll always get what we've already got."

What challenging thoughts!!!

How can you make your community thrive?

How can you make your contribution and make a change?

The Final Push

2010-05-17T21:37:00.000-07:00

There are 18 days left before build day!!
The park committee is getting excited because we have been anticipating Build Day since Christmas!
Did you sign-up to volunteer? We hope so.
It's going to be a noteable day for everyone who comes to help. Other towns that have done this describe it as AMAZING! Be sure to check out the LTBK website if you want to view other park build days and it will help you to dream a little bit about our big day that will be arriving so soon.

Old Playground Goes Down

2010-05-06T07:25:00.000-07:00

I don't know what is harder to believe - that we had this much snow on May 5th, or that we are really going forward with building this new playground! The crew moved in on Wednesday morning to take out the old playground and begin the landscaping and site preparation necessary for our big build day - JUNE 5th....which is only 31 days away!
Over the next couple of days, more work will be done on the site to get it ready and the local organizing committee is really getting excited about this playground, and we hope you are, too.

Please be sure to sign up as a volunteer (if you have not already done so). And if you already signed up - have all of your friends, too? We need many hands to help and many people to celebrate with.

Join the Effort! Get Involved!

Service Above Self

2010-04-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

Today the park committee met for another session. We keep our group together by moving forward with preparation plans and sharing stories of how the people of Innisfail truly shine when given an opportunity to contribute to their home and neighborhoods.

So many families and businesses are stepping forward to contribute and it is a great encouragement. We now have approx. 70 volunteers signed up and $27,000 dollars contributed. The goal of creating an awesome place for families and children to play and create community will be met if people of this town continue to provide with their service above self.

Let's keep it going! We will make a change!

58 Days Away!

2010-04-08T21:52:00.001-07:00

We are getting closer and closer to our build day - only 8 weeks to go! We are very excited about this and are encouraged by all the people who have already signed up to be a volunteer.

Have you signed up yet? Remember, you can just click on the link to the left to volunteer, or donate, or learn more about how you can be involved. We are looking for all types of volunteers from food to celebration to construction and so much more.

June 5th is going to be a great day - the culmination of a lot of good, hard work done. And we hope you want to be a part of that, too. Be sure to tell your friends so they can tell their friends, and then they can tell their friends, and, well, you know - that's how it grows!

We have received some great donations, and you can find their links lower down on the page.

We also have some events coming up, so stay tuned for more details.

Be sure to comment on anything on this blog - let us know what you think. And if you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask!

Let Them Be Kids - Innisfail

Proposed Playground Layout

2010-03-27T15:59:00.001-07:00

Hello! Please take some time to check out the proposed playground layout for the upcoming Greg Ritson-Bennett Park.

Thank you to our sponsors

2010-03-25T13:31:00.001-07:00

Spiral Slide Donor - Over $2500.00

The Ritson-Bennett Family - Mike & Maymie O'Dwyer & Family - Nestle Purina

Doglide Slide Donor - $1500 to $2499

Wall Climber Donor - $751 to $1499

William & Norma Hoppins - Rotary Anns of Innisfail - Innisfail Kinette

Rock Challenge Donor - $101 to $750

Gayle & Grant Thompson - Innisfail & District Ministerial Association - Connie Dezutter - Tammy, Gordon, Shea & Sydney Thompson - The Gagnon Family - Carolyn & Tony Kramer - Patt Churchill - Barbara Marrinan - Shawna Travis - Mary Flemming - Shear Shelly - Stu & Grace Little - Ronald Young Gish Professional Corporation - Fox & Hound - Vivienne Campbell - The Leg Man - Donna Arnold - Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete - Sunterra Meats - Innisfail Family Day Home Society

Friends of the Park - up to $100

Innisfail & District Garden Club - Thelma Hein - Barbara Hill - Mr. & Mrs. Fred Peitzsche - Angela Sande and Family - JoAnne Keevill - Katherine & Murray Gall - Rhonda & Ken Oddy - Jean F. Wright - All-Vac Sales, Service & Repair - Anita Layden - Jeremy, Denise & Sophia Bouw - Veronica Reist - Carm Erickson - Donna Niehaus - Baiers Stationery - Margaret & Henry Medak - Heather Fletcher - Betty Olson - Marie Wilson & Marcel Keays - Mrs. Eunice Jensen - Fourman Dairy Distributors (2007) Ltd - Heartland Funeral Services

Our Park, Our Neighborhood, Our Future - Dr. Greg Ritson-Bennett Park

2010-03-15T22:34:00.000-07:00

Our goal is to have active participation in the community that develops pride of ownership; an
opportunity for the community to connect through outdoor recreational activities; to help build
relationships, and of course, a place to have FUN!

The park design has been chosen by the children that live in our neighborhood and will be built by volunteers on JUNE 5 th , 2010. We are also proud to announce that the park will be named after the late Dr. Greg Ritson‐Bennett.

This is a terrific opportunity and an amazing community building project, but it won’t be possible without help from people and businesses in the community.

We are asking for your support and would like to thank you by offering the following sponsorship opportunities:

Friends of the Park – up to $100
• Your logo/name on our website
• Tax receipt

Rock Challenge Donor – $101 to $750
• Your logo/name on our website
• A thank you picture of the children on the playground
• Tax receipt

Wall Climber Donor – $751 to $1,499
• Media advertisement (print, video)
• A thank you picture of the children on the playground
• Your logo/name on our website
• Tax receipt

Duoglide Slide Donor – $1,500 to $2,499
• Place to display your banner June 5, at build site
• Media advertisement (print, video)
• Name or logo on the back of our T‐shirts on the day of the build
• A thank you picture of the children on the playground
• Your logo/name on the Let Them Be Kids website
• Tax receipt

Spiral Slide Donor – Over $2,500
• Name of sponsor on a sign at the park from donation date to end of season
• Place to display your banner June 5, at build site
• Media advertisement (print, video)
• Surprise gift
• Name or logo on the back of our T‐shirts on the day of the build
• A thank you picture of the children on the playground
• Your logo/name on the Let Them Be Kids website
• Tax receipt

In‐Kind Donations of materials and supplies
Examples include
• Excavation of area of playground
Sod stripping and removal , topsoil stripping and stockpiling
Site excavation, backfilling and grading
Supply, install and compact clay fill
• Installation of playground fall surface
Supply and install the playground pea gravel
Border material
• Beautification supplies
Trees
Shrubs
Fencing
Flowers, etc

All donations for the Dr. Greg Ritson‐Bennett Park can be made to the Town of Innisfail. Tax receipts are available.

For more information, contact Shelley Gagnon or Marie Wilson at the Town of
Innisfail, 403.227.3376 OR Cindy Dunbar at cindydunbar22@yahoo.ca

Innisfail Province - March 9th

2010-03-11T09:15:00.000-08:00

SWINGING INTO ACTION
Tracey Walker, ACE leader and town councillor, and Cindy Dunbar push Paige Dunbar, while Denise Bouw and Virginia Ritson-Bennett push Sophia Bouw on swings at an Innisfail park that will soon be updated through fundraising for the proposed Dr. Greg Ritson-Bennett Park. This park is part of the Let Them Be Kids park renovation project and the committee will need to raise $55,000 in the next 12 weeks to complete the project.

Naming of the Park

2010-03-08T20:30:00.000-08:00

Today the park committee met with Virginia Ritson-Bennett to talk about the future of the park and the intention of the committee to name the park after her late husband, Greg Ritson-Bennett.

Virginia and her family are very excited about seeing this park being named in honour of her late husband, a known community builder in Innisfail.

Stay tuned for more information about Greg Ritson-Bennett....

$55,000 Needed to Make It Happen

2010-03-08T19:53:00.000-08:00

With the 50/50 match program from LTBK, Innisfail needs only to raise an estimated $55,000 to make rebuilding our park dream a reality. We are now looking for people to help us raise and achieve this financial goal. A.C.E (Active, Creative and Engaged) Communities has already stepped forward with $1500 which we will add to the original $5000 given to us from being a 'Kool-Aid` Smile' awardee.

Press Release

2010-03-08T08:47:00.000-08:00

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Our park, Our Neighbourhood, Our Future … Park redevelopment brings the community together!

Innisfail (Monday, March 10, 2010) – Chosen as one of ten national awards, a group of volunteers from Innisfail will re-develop the park in their neighbourhood on June 5, 2010. This initiative will receive strong support and leadership provided by Let Them Be Kids, Kool-Aid Canada, and the Town of Innisfail.

This past month, the community was invited to help design the playground structure. Over 25 children gathered and selected their favourite pieces of playground equipment while the adults reviewed the possibility of outdoor adult fitness equipment, landscaping and beautification designs. The highlight of the morning, was the souvenir pictures the children all received of them and Mr. Kool Aid.

The planning committee is also proud to announce that the park will be officially named the Dr. Greg Ritson-Bennett Park. The late Dr. Ritson-Bennett was a tremendous advocate of recreation and leisure in the community. He was actively involved in the development of the towns arena and aquatic facilities; built many local playgrounds; was a founding member of the Dolphins Swim Club; and whenever there was a community initiative or need, Greg could always be counted on to contribute in some way. In addition to his community service, Dr. Ritson-Bennett took his skills as a dentist and his passion for “extending a helping hand” overseas. On four occasions Greg and his wife Virginia travelled to Guatemala to provide free dental services to several mountain villages. Family and friends will always remember him as the big guy with an even bigger heart with a desire to serve his community and the world.

The official naming ceremony will occur on Monday, March 10th at 10am at the park, located on 46 Avenue and 48 Street Innisfail. The planning committee will be joined by Mrs. Virginia Ritson-Bennett, Mayor Ken Graham, Councillor Tracey Walker, and ACE Communities representative Heather Fletcher. The ceremony also “kicks-off” the fundraising efforts of the local committee. The committee needs to raise a total
of $55,000 . Full sponsorship packages are available from the Town or any committee member. “We are thrilled to name the park after Dr. Ritson-Bennett,” says Cindy Dunbar, committee member. “One of our main outcomes for this initiative is to build a stronger sense of community in our neighbourhood and knowing the contributions that Dr. Ritson-Bennett made to building a stronger community in Innisfail it is indeed an honour to name the park after him.”

Although the planning and fundraising will occur over the next few months, on June 5th, it is hoped that hundreds of Innisfail residents will volunteer to be a part of a one-day event that will see the communities dreams come together and the park built! Anyone interested in getting involved is encouraged to check out the
website and “Join the Effort” www.innisfail.ltbk.ca .

Let Them Be Kids and Kool-Aid have partnered to help build stronger communities across Canada and help bring affordable fun and play to all children and families. Innisfail was selected as one of 10 communities to receive the Let Them Be Kids-Kool-Aid Smile Award, providing support and resources to help make this community project a success.

For local media inquiries please contact:

Shelley Gagnon OR Cindy Dunbar
Community Services Director, Town of Innisfail Playground Champion
4943 – 53 Street cindydunbar22@yahoo.ca
Innisfail, AB T4G 1A1
shelley.gagnon@innisfail.ca
403.227.3376

Dotmocracy Day Photos

2010-03-04T20:38:00.000-08:00

The UpDate on LTBK Innisfail Activities

2010-03-01T20:51:00.000-08:00

Get Involved!
Did you know that there are near 217 children under the age of 12 living in the area?

February 20th was 'Dotmocracy' Design Day at the United Church
Volunteers canvassed homes of proximal walk/bike distance to the park. They went out and invited the community to participate in the exciting work of LTBK Innisfail. Over flyers and frozen doorway thresholds, folks were informed and invited into the desire to make a community change starting at the park.
The LTBK commitee had hopes that this exciting desire for change would catch on and through Dotmocracy day and through the new volunteer sign-ups we can see it growing!!!
The positive response from 29 kids and their parents/grandparents came out in spite of the cold and gave their input for the park.
In the 101' by 112' park area, it is hoped that trees, benches and adult exercise equiptment, swings, bridges, slides and more (see picture) will fit and be used as a centre for fun and a great place to meet your neighbor.

Also, A Big Thank You to Kool-Aid Man and all the volunteers who helped canvass, and who lent a hand at Dotmocracy Day!

LTBK KoolAid Smile Award is announced at Envision Innisfail

2010-01-25T18:27:00.001-08:00

After a busy morning of community members dreaming about Innisfail's future direction, on behalf of the Innisfail LTBK committee, Jeremy Bouw announces that work is already underway to improve the life of Innisfail's citizens. Highlights of the announcement include that money contributed to the park project will be matched dollar for dollar, and the project is seeking volunteers.
Jeremy Bouw,"This is not about US building a new playground and hoping that kids will use it. This is about building community from the ground up - the playground is just one of the ways we can begin that work. This playground is for kids - and will be designed by kids."

LTBK Board Chair, Ian Hill Visits Innisfail

2010-01-22T20:41:00.000-08:00

The park committee met Ian Hill on January 18th to discuss their vision and hope for Innisfails' new park. The committee is excited about the plan and eager to bring the neighborhood onboard.

2010-01-22T19:57:00.000-08:00

Let Them Be Kids and Kool-Aid have partnered to help build stronger communities across Canada and help bring affordable fun and play to all children and families. Innisfail was selected as one of 10 communities to receive the Let Them Be Kids-Kool-Aid Smile Award, providing support and resources to help make this community project a success.

Innisfail (Saturday, January 23, 2010) – Chosen as one of ten national awards, a group of volunteers from Innisfail will re-develop the park in their neighbourhood on June 5, 2010. This initiative will receive strong support and leadership provided by Let Them Be Kids and Kool-Aid, and the Town of Innisfail.

These “Playground Champions” will spend the next four months engaging their neighbourhood and all of Innisfail in re-designing and improving the park located at 46 Avenue and 48 Street. “We are very excited to be part of this project. This park will be a place where my family can go and meet other people, children and families in our neighbourhood, “says Denise Bouw.

The improvement plan includes the creation of a new playground and much more. “This park is a place I want to take my grandchildren. It has great potential and I want a safe and fun place for my grandchildren to play”, Mary Fleming adds.

“This is going to be an exciting and wonderful day for our community,” says Cindy Dunbar. "The children in our neighbourhood are looking forward to a safe and welcoming place to play. As a resident of that neighbourhood, the park can serve as a gathering place – a place to get to know our neighbours. We are grateful to Let Them Be Kids for helping us get started and to Kool-Aid for their tremendous support in challenging us to do something good for the kids in our community.

“We are proud to award Innisfail as one of the 10 Let Them Be Kids-Kool Aid Smile award recipients for 2010. It is clear that the organizing committee is passionate and driven, and it is also clear that the community of Innisfail is a special place. We are looking forward to the awesome job that the community will do for the kids on June 5th ” said Ian Hill Chairman of the Board of Directors for Let Them Be Kids.

Although the planning will occur over the next few months, on June 5th, it is hoped that hundreds of Innisfail residents will volunteer to be a part of a one-day event that will see the communities dreams come together and the park built!