A Year of Raising the Village - Week #8Find an under utilized play space – it holds amazing potential with some creativity and a lot of elbow grease!
In Qualicum Beach, tucked behind a centralized elementary school is a true community play space. Storybook Village is a place that inspires imaginative play and fosters community connections. Partners from the early childhood community, schools, business and seniors have co-created a play space for young children and adults young at heart. The village is made up of a paved roadway (trike sized with real traffic signs) that is warmly circled by miniature replicas of community buildings – the theatre, the library, the gas station, the bank, the medical centre …
These 10’ by 10’ wooden buildings, each sponsored by a local group or business, beg for the creative spirits of children to make them come alive during play. What a “village-like” opportunity for children to role-play, interact with their neighbours and care for their little town! 
Just behind Storybook Village, you can also find Alphabet Garden. There are 26 raised beds, each in the shape of a letter and each tended to with care and attention by community groups and businesses. A thoughtful way to blend generations.
The end products - garden and play space - are delightful – but the incredible benefit to the community also comes in the long process of taking this project from idea to plan to build! The stories of new relationships, generosity and community spirit fuel all those involved to keep working together.
Village Raising Question
What creative play spaces have been created (and are used) in your community?
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