Shovels dig, volunteers cheer, and the sounds of construction blend with laughter as the Peony Farm community, backed by the RM of Portage la Prairie, builds a vibrant new playground and recreation hub this week.
Driven by a shared vision for safer, modern amenities, the project replaces outdated equipment and adds exciting multi-seasonal features for all ages, fueled by remarkable local support and volunteer sweat.
Out with the old, in with the new
The initiative sprang directly from residents themselves. After years of using an aging play structure on RM land, the community decided it was time for a significant upgrade during a Peony Farm community club meeting.
"Our community discussed rebuilding a new playground and seeking funding to build something new, modern, and safe for our community," explains Brenda Miller-Adams, a key organizer.
The old equipment, featuring extremely tall, non-CSA-approved swings and a deteriorating wooden structure prone to splinters, had become a safety concern. The new complex represents a major leap forward, designed with modern safety standards and significantly broader appeal.
"Not only do we have a playground area for children, we have a picnic shelter for families to come and enjoy a picnic or have a BBQ or birthday parties," Miller-Adams says. "We also have a multi-use pad 40 by 64 [feet] that includes a pickleball court, basketball hoop, and it will be the surface for our ice rink in the wintertime."
The new play structures cater specifically to different age groups: one designed for toddlers and preschoolers (2-5 years) and another for older children (5-12 years). The large multi-use pad ensures activities for youth and adults year-round.
Community spirit powers the build
Bringing this vision to life required substantial community effort and financial backing. Funding was secured through a powerful combination of grassroots initiatives and generous external support.
"We started out doing a couple of community fundraisers. We built snowmen and reindeer," Miller-Adams notes, highlighting the creative local efforts. "We applied for a lot of funding, and we were successful in being gifted by the Community Foundation. They gave us a large sum for our playground equipment. We have also had business sponsors, and did a community sponsorship program as well."
Crucial support also came from the Rural Municipality (RM) of Portage la Prairie, providing both funding and vital operational resources, underscoring the collaborative spirit.
Volunteers drive construction momentum
The construction site buzzes with energy, powered overwhelmingly by local volunteers. While the RM provided essential equipment like skid steers and two staff operators, the hands-on work and community support are unmistakably homegrown.
"We have two RM staff who have come in. The RM has loaned us a couple of RM operators and skid steers," Miller-Adams confirms. "The rest of what you see here today is all volunteers from our community. People who have made food for breaks and all of that kind of stuff as well."
Miller-Adams emphasizes the breadth of backing that made the project possible. "I would like to acknowledge the support that we have received through both our Community, the Rural Municipality of Portage, and Portage's business community. There are so many people who have donated to our park and also to the rural municipality itself."
As the new structures rise on the 40x64-foot multi-use pad and the playground takes shape, Peony Farm residents aren't just building equipment; they're constructing a vibrant, safe, and welcoming hub for connection, play, and community pride for generations to come.