Maple Leaf Park
Griesbach has two playgrounds on the east side of the community, near Major General Griesbach School.
The newest playground at Major General Griesbach School opened just in time for school in September 2017. It was the result five years of planning and fundraising from the Griesbach community. Members of the community gathered one year later, on September 8, 2018, for a playground dedication ceremony.
The Project
The playground initiative and fundraising was spearheaded by the Griesbach Community League, which formed a playground committee to plan and co-ordinate the application and design process. The Major General Griesbach Fundraising Society and Major General Griesbach School were valuable partners in the fundraising efforts. Many local businesses stepped forward to contribute as sponsors. The playground was also made possible through grants from the City of Edmonton, the federal government’s Canada 150 fund and the province of Alberta. In addition, numerous residents personally contributed as individual donors.
Planners made sure to build as much as possible on the playground site. The design includes a full-size playground, plus a separate play area for smaller children. Bike bumps form fun and unique landscape features at the perimeter of the park. A gazebo with picnic tables is a great place to find some shade or enjoy a picnic.
Dignitaries cut the ribbon at a playground dedication on Sept. 8. From left to right are: Addison Tilley, Griesbach Community League president Brad Tilley, Kara Kempin, Jim Chronopoulos, MGG fundraising society president Ammanda Cole, MGG principal Brent Zmurchik, MLA and Education Minister David Eggen, Edmonton Ward 2 Councillor Bev Esslinger, Canada Lands Company director Marvin Neumann and Joylyn Teskey.
The second playground in the community is the original playground, which is near the south side of Maple Leaf park. That playground was on the site of the old neighbourhood school and it was refurbished in October 2018, with money from the Griesbach Community League and in partnership with the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Public Schools.
As part of the playground revamp, Griesbach Community League funded new play equipment for preschool-aged children. That decision was based on community feedback and it aims to give younger children a safe space to play while the other playground is being used by school-aged kids.