A journey along the pathway to play
Coming soon: the new Outdoor Early Learning Centre at Signal Hill Library.
Coming in 2025: the Signal Hill Library Outdoor Early Learning Centre, a dynamic and 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 tailor-made for children of all ages, sizes, and abilities.
Doing More with Your Support
Join us on the Pathway to Play with a donation of any amount.
Through donor generosity, the Outdoor Early Learning Centre at Signal Hill Library will soon be a reality! You can support this engaging and vibrant new outdoor space, inspiring nearby residents and sparking social connection. To learn more about partnership or investment opportunities at the Signal Hill Library Outdoor Early Learning Centre, please contact Tamara Smith, Director of Development, at tamara@libraryfoundation.ca or 403-260-2631.
Pathway to Play FAQs
Pathway to Play is a campaign in support of the development of an Outdoor Early Learning Centre at Signal Hill Library. In consultation with leading design experts and early childhood learning advocates, the Signal Hill community will be home to the Library’s newest outdoor innovation, following in the footsteps of the outdoor playground at Forest Lawn Library.
Each of Calgary Public Library’s 13 Early Learning Centres is donor-funded, from the helicopter at Seton Library to Engine 23 at Fish Creek Library. These spaces are dynamic, play-based areas that help children develop physical literacy while building their fundamental learning skills.
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 place 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.
Early learning is a longstanding and key priority for the Calgary Public Library. In 2016, the Library opened its first Early Learning Centre (ELC) at Fish Creek Library. Since then, we have built 12 indoor ELCs and one outdoor nature playground thanks to the generous support of our donors.
Visit a Library location today and you’ll find children learning through play in a helicopter or interactive children’s area, in addition to accessing a rich variety of collections, and participating in engaging programs. Research on early learning—which takes place from birth to age five—underpins the Library’s work. The most important periods of development occur at the very beginning stages 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, leads to kindergarten readiness, and prepares children for lifelong learning and success.