Children across the Westshore region will soon have more opportunities to explore, create and play outdoors after the Westshore Community Foundation (WCF) presented $176,500 in grants to four community organizations through the national Free to Play initiative.
The WCF presents a $6,673 Free to Play grant to the Riverton-Bifrost Parks and Recreation Commission to launch a Summer Pop-Up Adventure Play program encouraging child-led outdoor play. Pictured, Mavis Lewis-Webber, Romanna Klymkiw, and Kyra Toderan (Recreation & Community Development Coordinator Riverton-Bifrost Recreation)
The funding will support community-led projects in Winnipeg Beach, Gimli and Riverton through the national program, which encourages child-led outdoor play and nature-based learning.
The largest grant, $125,001, was presented to Winnipeg Beach School to transform its playground with a nature kitchen, outdoor theatre, curriculum cupboard for loose play materials, an accessible paved pathway, and balance and climbing stations. The enhanced space will be available to students during school hours as well as the local daycare and community outside school hours.
The Gimli Wave Youth Drop-In received $32,220 to expand nature-based programming at Hinterland. The project will feature sessions led by certified Forest and Nature School practitioners and Knowledge Keepers, giving children opportunities for child-led exploration in natural settings.
“Our goals are to enhance the physical health and development of our youth, to improve their social and emotional growth, and to foster environmental and cognitive connections by encouraging a sense of wonder and stewardship towards nature,” said Dr. Audrey Swift, administrative head of the Gimli Wave Youth Drop-In.
She said the program aims to improve children’s motor skills and sensory development, reduce screen time, encourage exploration, and help young people build confidence while learning to assess risks in a safe environment.
The Manitoba Down Syndrome Society received $12,606 to install playground communication boards at Riverton Early Middle School, Sigurbjorg Stefansson School in Gimli and Winnipeg Beach School.
The boards will support children who use Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), allowing them to communicate outdoors when weather or sunlight limits the use of electronic devices. They will also help familiarize all students with symbol-based communication.
The Riverton-Bifrost Parks and Recreation Commission received $6,673 to launch a Summer Pop-Up Adventure Play program for children ages three to 12.
The initiative will use a reusable Adventure Play Kit filled with loose parts and materials that encourage children to build, invent games, explore and take age-appropriate risks through unstructured outdoor play.
WCF is one of only two community foundations in Manitoba selected to participate in the Free to Play program from 2026 to 2028.
President Teri Nicholson said the foundation saw the initiative as an opportunity to build on its existing grants and scholarships while supporting healthier outcomes for youth.
“Westshore is always looking for opportunities that will add value to our existing grants and scholarships,” Nicholson said. “The Free to Play project aligns with our new Strategic Plan for 2026-2030, which includes being more responsive to youth outcomes in our region.”
The foundation received seven applications requesting more than $400,000 in funding—more than twice the amount available. Nicholson said projects were evaluated based on the priorities established through the Free to Play program.
“The four projects scored highest in aligning with the Free to Play objectives of supporting outdoor play, providing long-term benefits to the community, and having feasible plans and the capability to carry their project out,” she said.
Nicholson said the foundation hopes the projects will provide lasting benefits by increasing opportunities for outdoor play, reducing barriers that prevent children from spending time outside, supporting healthy childhood development, and encouraging communities to view outdoor play as an essential part of growing up.
The national initiative is led by the Community Foundations of Canada and supported by Waltons Trust, The Lawson Foundation and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. It aims to increase opportunities for outdoor play while encouraging curiosity, creativity, confidence and community connection among children.
Foundation representatives said the strong response to the funding program demonstrates growing recognition of the importance of outdoor play and are encouraging businesses, governments and community organizations to partner in expanding future opportunities for children across the Westshore region.
Organizations that were not successful in the first round will have another opportunity to apply, with a second round of Free to Play funding expected to open in early 2027. Additional details will be released as they become available.
