A journey along the pathway to play

The Pathway to Play campaign is a fundraising initiative that will bring an Outdoor Early Learning Centre to Signal Hill Library in the form of a playground and outdoor activity space. The campaign provides an opportunity for members of the Signal Hill community and Calgarians at large to support the project and share their passion for this important project.

Early Learning Centres are dynamic, play-based spaces that facilitate the development of fundamental learning skills for children, and can be found in 13 Library locations throughout Calgary. The most important period of development occurs in the first five years of life, and play is the principal method by which children learn in these early years. Healthy development in early childhood sets the course for a child’s future, leading to kindergarten readiness and preparing children for lifelong learning.

Visit this link for more information about Calgary Public Library’s Early Learning Centres.

From the helicopter at the Hopewell Early Learning Centre at Seton Library to the most recent addition, Engine 23 at Fish Creek Library, each Early Learning Centre has been realized entirely through donor support. These are popular resources that can increase visitation to a Library location by as much as 400%. 

We are fundraising for this project to bring opportunities to strengthen physical literacy and engage in play to the community through Signal Hill Library. Donor support enables the Library to bring innovative activations and sector-leading programming to the community.

Signal Hill is one of the busiest libraries in the southwest quadrant of the city. It boasts some of the highest material use and sees tens of thousands of Library users every month. As the only outdoor ELC in Calgary’s southwest, this project will provide new space for programming and allow children and families to learn through play safely during—and outside of—library open hours.

The Signal Hill Library Outdoor Early Learning Centre will be an inclusive space where every child can be engaged and active in a variety of ways. In consultation with the community and guided by barrier-free design and inclusive playground standards, this space will be for children of all ages, sizes and abilities.

Originally announced in 2022, plans for the Outdoor Early Learning Centre were retooled in order to reflect inflation and supply chain challenges while still ensuring it meets the Library’s priorities for high-quality, accessible, and exciting community learning spaces.

This is a special way that donors can celebrate their support for the Signal Hill community and Calgary Public Library. Inscriptions will be affixed to the mullion of a window at Signal Hill Library looking out at the Outdoor Early Learning Centre. 

• Group Window Inscription: $250
  •  35-character inscription, 10-year term. Group Windows will have 6 to 8 donor inscriptions per mullion.
• Personalized Window Inscription: $2,500
  • 100-character inscription, 20-year term. Personalized Windows will have 1 donor inscription per mullion.
• Exclusive Window Inscription, $5,000
  •  200-character inscription, 20-year term. Exclusive Windows will have 1 donor inscription per window, spanning both mullions.

Inscriptions are available on a first come, first served basis. Character counts are inclusive of spaces and punctuation. The inscription will be produced with high-quality vinyl. This donation is tax-receiptable.

Mullion is the term used to describe the vertical element separating panes of glass in a window. 

Inscription placement is decided on a first come, first served basis. Due to space limitations, we cannot guarantee specific placement.

All inscribed windows will be fully diagrammed once installed, and wayfinding information will be shared with each donor. The projected installation timing will be summer 2025. Donors will be notified once installation is complete and inscriptions are ready for viewing.

Donors will be offered the opportunity to renew their support and maintain the inscription at the end of the term. Please note that this is subject to change. The final decision will be made closer to the end of the term. 

We will not be checking for spelling and grammar. Please ensure your inscription reads exactly as you wish it to appear. An additional fee will be charged to correct user-submitted errors or typos.

Yes! You can choose to include your name, the name of someone special to you, a quote, or other wording as long as it falls within the character limit, including spaces and punctuation. Inscriptions may not include profanity or otherwise offensive language, emoji, statements intended to reflect political support, or marketing messaging (including but not limited to phone numbers, websites, or social media handles). The Library Foundation reserves the right to reject inscriptions that do not conform with guidelines.

Absolutely! Please confirm the accuracy of your text before submitting. An additional fee will be charged to correct any mistakes. Submitted inscriptions will be checked for profanity and offensive language. 

Yes! We hope that many Calgarians will think of making a donation to the Library for birthdays, celebrations, and special occasions of any nature. Donations are eligible for tax receipts, which are issued to the donor. 

If you believe an error has been made on our part with your inscription, please reach out to us at info@libraryfoundation.ca or 403-221-2002. We will work to correct this mistake in a timely manner. 

Contributions to the Pathway to Play campaign are not refundable, as they are considered donations under CRA regulations. However, donors are eligible for a tax receipt for the full amount of their gift.