Queen Elizabeth Public School's path to greenery

First there was a fabulous pasta dinner.

Then there were balloons released and a ribbon cutting at Queen Elizabeth School.

The hullabaloo last night was all about a brand-new outdoor teaching space called the Path Project that students, their families, many volunteers and generous supporters helped to build.

Shown are some of the students who'll enjoy the natural playground's rolling hills, green grass, trees and rocks for years to come.

Liza Roode is there too.

She's one of four Path Project committee members who led the effort to get Phase 1 of the project done.

Roode and the other three Path Project committee members, Annelise Wolfe, Francine Wolfe and Joanna McDougall, have children at Queen Elizabeth Public School.

"Phase 2 and 3 will involve a roof over that concrete area and mature trees, among other things," said Roode. "The students had a lot of say in what we did out here, too."

The purpose of the Path Project is to connect our children and the community with our natural Northern Ontario landscape and heritage, while promoting a healthy lifestyle through physical activity and play, said Roode.

The students were consulted for ideas of what they would want in the Path area and as many of their ideas were implemented as possible.

"It was very flat and somewhat bare out here," said Roode "They said they wanted rolling hills and shade, as well as some natural places to play."

So, over the summer, hills were rolled out where once a flat field lay and a hollow was scooped out for the concrete area.

Following is some background information provided by Algoma District School Board.

************************* The Path Project will use Community First Funds and community donations to build a natural playground on Queen E. school grounds.

Through unique design we will combine landscape elements, indigenous plant groupings, permanent equipment and carefully chosen natural structures to create a safe, accessible, age appropriate play, social and learning opportunity in the school yard of Queen Elizabeth School.

Contributors to the project have included:

- Community First Bank

- Soo Mill

- Dr. Greg Hutton

- Dr. Kent Floreani

- And Son Contracting

- Mr. Tim Kelly

- Garden of Eden Landscaping and Design

- Stewart Blake

- Palmer Paving.

To date the Path Project committee has raised over $10,000 and completed Phase 1 which included development and design of the playground, preparation of the land for building burms, tree planting for shade, purchasing rocks for climbing and purchase of small equipment accessible to all age groups.

*************************