Nearly 18,000 recycled BC tires will be repurposed through TSBC’s 2026 Community Grant Program to create safer, more accessible public spaces.

We’re pleased to announce the 11 selected recipients of the 2026 TSBC Community Grant Program, funding playground and recreation projects that will help create more inclusive community spaces across BC. 

The funding will support 10 playgrounds and one community centre, helping to launch or complete projects that use recycled BC tires to create fully accessible public spaces.

Recycled tire surfacing expands access to play and recreation

In total, the projects will repurpose 17,828 recycled tires into safer, wheelchair accessible play and recreation spaces for children and community members of all abilities.

Compared with loose-fill materials such as wood chips or gravel, rubber surfacing provides a smoother, more stable surface for wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices.

BC’s scrap tire program, the oldest in Canada and celebrating its 35^th year, has recycled more than 128 million tires since 1991 into products including playground surfaces, walkways, and fitness tracks.

Now in its 18th year, the TSBC Community Grant Program has invested more than $6.84 million in 371 projects across 96 BC communities.

“These projects show how recycled tire products can deliver practical, lasting benefits for communities,” said Rosemary Sutton, CEO of Tire Stewardship BC. “By supporting accessible surfacing, we are helping create public spaces where more people can participate safely and independently.”

Related: How Tire Recycling in BC is Helping Build More Accessible Spaces

Among this year’s recipients is École Cobble Hill PAC Society, which will use the funding for a phased playground redevelopment to replace aging infrastructure and improve accessibility for students and families.

For families such as Vivienne Damatan’s, the project will help create a school playground where children of all abilities can play, connect, and take part alongside their peers. The project holds particular meaning for Damatan’s daughter, who lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a condition that affects muscle strength and mobility.

“This playground is an investment in every child at École Cobble Hill,” said Damatan. “For my daughter, it has been a place to build friendships, confidence, and independence. Improving accessibility means more children will be able to share fully in that experience.”

“On behalf of the École Cobble Hill Parent Advisory Council, I would like to express our sincere gratitude to Tire Stewardship BC for your generous support of our accessible playground project,” said Jennifer Currie, chairperson, École Cobble Hill PAC. “Your contribution will help us transform an aging playground into a vibrant, inclusive space that supports physical literacy and welcomes every child — regardless of ability. Children have a remarkable way of teaching us what truly matters, and creating an environment where they can freely explore, grow, and thrive is a gift to our entire community.”

Additional projects support inclusive play and safer recreation spaces across BC

Other 2026 projects include the BC Winter Games’ safe matting for gymnastics equipment initiative in Trail. TSBC provided funding for 256 recycled rubber mats to help secure gymnastics equipment during the Games held in February; afterwards, the mats were reused in the Rossland community arena.

Funding was also awarded to the École Robb Road PAC Society inclusive playground project in Comox and the Pinecrest Playground resurfacing project in Campbell River, which will replace engineered wood fibre with accessible poured-in-place rubber surfacing.

Related: More Than Playgrounds: Past Projects Funded by the TSBC Community Grant Program

2026 TSBC Community Grant Program Recipients

To learn more about the TSBC Community Grant program and how you can apply to update a community space using BC recycled tires, please visit this page.

For media enquiries, please contact:

SOMA Public Relations Harleen Kaur harleen@somaworks.com | 672-866-0234