Parents and volunteers install new playground at Richmond elementary school

A newly expanded playground officially opened last week at Henry Anderson Elementary in Richmond. The school’s student population has grown steadily, leaving its existing playground overcrowded; more than 600 students attend the school.

Provincial funding for public-school playgrounds is allocated according to priority needs. Because Henry Anderson’s existing playground remained in relatively good condition, it was not on the priority list. The school’s parent advisory council began fundraising several years ago and initially raised $25,000.

PAC chair Shirley Shen said the new equipment required $80,000. During the 2025/2026 school year, the community raised another $55,000 to reach the amount needed to begin the project.

Parents and community volunteers installed the playground themselves instead of paying $8,000 in installation costs. Local businesses contributed food, labour, materials, heavy equipment, fencing, concrete and technical expertise.

Shen said the playground represents what the community can accomplish by supporting one another. She credited supportive principals and district staff, hundreds of donating families, volunteers who took time off work to build it, and local businesses that helped at the end of the project.

District superintendent Christopher Usih said in an email that strong school communities depend on the support and involvement of families, staff and the community. He said the work of the Henry Anderson PAC and the broader school community improved the outdoor space and will support students for years to come.