Family Time Park
2022/2023
Making the dream of quality outdoor space for sick or injured children and their families a reality depends on the generosity and kindness of others. We are happy to say that we have reached our campaign goal is to raise $850,000 dollars in funding to cover the costs of the development and construction of the outdoor space, landscaping, and accessible play areas. Though ambitious, with the help of many donors we broke ground in July of 2022, with the hope to formally open this space in Spring 2023 to mark the 10th anniversary of Ronald McDonald House in Newfoundland and Labrador.
This new space will give sick or injured children a safe and accessible space to play and enjoy much needed outdoor family time.
Thank you to the following donors for giving more needed family time to sick or injured children and their families through the Family Time Park:
Gift of Family $100,000+
- Government of Canada / Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- Iron Ore Company of Canada
Gift of Togetherness $75,000+
- Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro
- Locke’s Electrical
Gift of Enjoyment $50,000+
- Brian and Jodean Tobin Family Foundation
- BMO Financial Group
- New Flyers Group (NFI Group)
- McDonald’s NL Owner/Operators
Gift of Nature $25,000+
- VOCM (Stingray)
- Hickman Automotive Group
Gift of Hope $10,000+
- Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Basil Dobbin Family Foundation
- Atlantic Star Foundation (Trails for Riches)
- NTV/OZFM
- R.D. Pippy Family Foundation
- RBC Foundation
“September 2022 will mark the 10th anniversary of RMHC in Newfoundland and Labrador. In that time a lot has been accomplished, but there is still more work to done. It’s now the perfect time! Time for more mission, more family support and more quality family time. It’s time for Family Time Park” said RMHC NL Board Chair Theresa Rahal. “Providing a fun, accessible and secure space for our families to interact in a park setting, will help us enhance the experience for all sick or injured children and their families that need the Ronald McDonald House.”
The project will see the development of a accessible and fenced outdoor area surrounding the Ronald McDonald House with improvements such as fencing, entrance gate, bbq/patio area, and most importantly a children’s playground with rubber play surface, two bay accessible swing set, and nature-based play features.
“The plan is to upgrade the land in front of the building between the front and woods area that is beyond it. There is a new pavilion going to be there, a great place where families will be able to have barbeques or picnics. There will be a court there to shoot basketballs and score hockey goals. Everything we do with this park will have accessibility and safety at the forefront. Its going to be a real showcase.” said Gary Follett, RMHC NL Board member and chair of the Facilities Committee.
Josh Skinner of Massey Drive spent over a year at Ronald McDonald House when he was fighting cancer in 2019-2020. “I started getting a little stir-crazy. There wasn’t a whole lot I could do outside, so I asked the workers at the house for a basketball net, because at the time they didn’t have one. What they came up with was a temporary one right outside of my room and that worked out quite well. This was just one of many little things they did for me and I was really happy they did that.”
Nature and the outdoors have always been associated with positive energy, wellness and a place to enhance overall mental health. Spending time and being physically active in nature has been proven to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve overall well-being. Spending time outside helps us recover from the effects of stress and our everyday worries. The positive physical and mental benefits of spending time outdoors align perfectly with the mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities and the goal of supporting and caring for sick or injured children and their families.
The success of the Family Time Park campaign will position Ronald McDonald House to continue positively impacting the lives of sick or injured children and their families.
