Hamilton’s CityKidz enjoy new playground as new forest opens on city’s port lands

Forget cutting a ribbon, Hamilton kids were ready to cut loose at the opening of a new outdoor play space Friday.

Hamilton’s CityKidz celebrated the opening of the space, which was thanks to a $1 million investment from American Iron & Metal (AIM).

Consider this playground officially kid approved.

CityKidz celebrated the opening of the AIM Recycling Playspace Friday — a new playground installed to get kids moving.

“Our goal was to try to create an opportunity where kids can come and just play freely,” said Todd Bender, the founder and executive director of Hamilton’s CityKidz. “We recognize that there’s just not enough of those opportunities for kids anymore in our community.”

READ MORE: Hamilton port lands welcome new forest, playground on Friday

It was funded by a $1 million donation from AIM’s Ontario Recycling headquarters.

The playground’s design was focused on connecting kids with nature.

“They need something real, something green, something natural, something tree’d and forested, and this is one of the very few places that they can do that,” said Adam Bienenstock, founder of the Re-Nature Foundation.

One of the playground enthusiasts at the opening, Alexis, thinks the space will be a nice break from the indoors.

“I’m guessing that after some time inside we might be able to come out and enjoy the outdoors,” said Alexis. “So I’m most excited for CityKidz to start again in September, because I don’t really have that much outdoors at my area.”

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Other playground specialists Olivia and Talia have already picked out their favourite spots including by the sandbox, and flowers.

Organizers say this playground has been in the works for years, and it’s all because of the suggestion of a little boy.

“He was just having a hard time wanting to sit still and he was running around,” said Bender. “I just pitched this idea to him, almost like my junior consultant and I said, ‘what do you think if there was a playground and before you came inside, you had 15 minutes to play outside,’ and he looked at me with intensity and he said, ‘I like it, but make it 20’.”

CityKidz team member Marykay York says she’s excited to watch a new generation of participants use the new park.

“I’ve seen a little girl here that reminds me so much of myself, and I’m really hoping that this helps her bring out that spark that I can see inside of her, so I’m really hoping that all of this inspires it,” said York.

Judging by the energy at the opening Friday, the playground is already doing its job.

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