habitatvancouver playground news

Spring Edition • Issue 11

Habitat Systems is a distributor of park, play-ground, and landscape solutions in BC. Since Habitat’s opening over 12 years ago, we have selected innovative products, such as Land-scape Structures’ playground equipment, that meet strict quality and safety standards. Habitat offers a fi rst-rate service that has established us as a preferred supplier for community groups, school districts, munici-palities, and landscape architecture fi rms. Our services include complimentary site assess-ments, custom designs, product recom-

mendations, and installations. At Habitat, we strive to create safe environments where chil-dren and adults have the opportunity to create, imagine, dream, and learn together.

Habitat’s support system has been designed and created to specifi cally address the service and support needs of people working towards a common community goal.

Taking an educational approach, Habitat’s expert staff can take you through each stage of the project planning process. ■

“As Grounds Supervisor for the Van-couver School Board I have been associated with Jeff Musson and his team at Habitat Systems for well over 10 years. Play equipment receives their greatest use on school grounds and Jeff has always been there to solve any problems I had with equip-ment and many times has come up with a better solution. Above all I have always appreciated the pro-fessional, business approach of Jeff and his team in making my job that much easier and me that much more effective.”

Chris FoxonGrounds Maintenance Supervisor, SD #39 (Retired)

Kerrisdale Annex5901 Balaclava Street, Vancouver

“The children are thrilled with the structure and

swing set!”– Anna Gilmour

Kerrisdale Annex PAC, Vancouver

donations. Kerrisdale was also one of the lucky recipients of a $20,000 grant for their playground project. With their efforts, they were able to raise $120,000 in total for their playgrounds.

Quality, safety, and longevity were the key things in mind when the Kerrisdale playground committee started looking for a playground

supplier. They also wanted a company that they could work closely with, and who could help guide them through the lengthy design process. They were not interested in having to purchase another playground in the next ten years, so they insisted on a high quality product. The parents did much of their own investiga-

tion, visiting local playgrounds with their chidren, and asking them what they liked and disliked. They also observed which playground compo-nents seemed to wear faster than others, and which appeared to last.

Once they narrowed it down to two suppliers, the committee presented each company’s

Kerrisdale Elementary, located at 5555 Carnarvon Street in Vancouver, and Kerrisdale Annex at 5901 Balaclava Street, both had old, wooden playground structures that were completely worn out, rotting, and needed to be re-placed.

A playground c o m m i t t e e was formed that included volunteer par-ents and the Principal and Vice Principal. Fundraising was made possible

by the committee of parents that included Barb Leung at the main school, and Anna Gilmour at the Annex. While the school had funds saved from previous years, they still needed much more for their desired playground.

One-third of all monies raised was donated by parents, and they received a great deal of support from local businesses in regards to

Kerrisdale Elementary and Annex Replace Their Playgrounds

Habitat Provides Playground SupportContinued on reverse page.

Continued from cover page.

Contact us now for more information on planning your playground!

Toll Free: 1 (866) HABITAT (422-4828)Head Offi ce: (604) 294-4224

info@habitat-systems.comwww.habitat-systems.com

Jeff MussonPrincipal

Kerrisdale Annex5901 Balaclava Street, Vancouver

St. George’s School4175 West 29th Avenue, Vancouver

Admiral Seymour Elementary1130 Keefer Street, Vancouver

Queen Elizabeth Elementary4102 West 16th Avenue, Vancouver

Southlands Elementary5351 Camosun Street, Vancouver

Habitat Systems Inc. is the largest distributor of park, playground, and landscape solutions in British Columbia. With a staff of over 20 people, 4 offi ces, and 2 warehouses, Habitat is experienced in handling projects of all sizes.

Jeff Musson is principal and co-founder of Habitat Systems Inc. While Habitat’s business encom-passes all of Western Canada, Jeff conducts the majority of his business in the Lower Mainland.

As an avid parks user and outdoors person, Jeff is committed to creating quality, safe, entertaining, and accessible public spaces. Jeff has a wide range of education and practical knowledge of playground products and he is dedicated to exceeding the needs of his clients. ■

design to the students and teachers to get their feedback. In the end, they agreed on Habitat Systems, distributor of Landscape Structures Inc.’s playground equipment, to be the supplier of their two playgrounds.

When the fi rst playground at the Annex was installed and the protective fencing came down, the Principal let the children out of school early to let them “go crazy.” Barb Leung stated, “It was like keeping kids out of a candy store. They’re thrilled with the playground.” The Annex playground was a community installation and Kerrisdale Elementary’s playground was installed by the School Board. Anna Gilmour reiterated Leung’s statement, saying, “The chil-dren are thrilled with the structure and swing set!”

The advice Leung would give to other schools beginning a play-ground project like this one was, “Start early; it’s a long haul.” She also said “you need a core group of people willing to work, and work hard.” It was a two year project for them. She added that doing a community installation “was a lot of work, but also really rewarding.”

Gilmour’s words of advice were to “create a committee that includes people from all aspects of the school life – engage the recess and lunch supervisors, the custodian, your administration, parents, PAC, and students. Fix a budget, fi nd out what grants are available, fundraise, and remember that it is for the kids.”

The Habitat Team■

Blessed Sacrement Elementary■ 3020 Heather Street

Carnarvon Elementary■ 3400 Balaclava Street

Ecole Rose-des-Vents■ 5435 Baille Street

Emily Carr Elementary■ 4070 Oak Street

General Brock Elementary■ 4860 Main Street

General Gordon Elementary■ 2896 W 6th Avenue

General Wolfe Elementary■ 4251 Ontario Street

Hastings Elementary■ 2625 Franklin Street

McBride Elementary■ 1300 E 29th Avenue

Mount Pleasant Elementary■ 2300 Guelph Street

Queen Mary Elementary■ 2000 Trimble Street

Vancouver Christian School■ 3496 Mons Drive

West Point Grey Academy■ 4125 W 8th Avenue

York House School■ 4176 Alexandra Street

New HabitatPlaygrounds in the Vancouver Area