Cruickshank Park Playground Improvements

The City is improving the playground in Cruickshank Park. These improvements are part of an ongoing city-wide program to ensure playgrounds provide safe and accessible fun for many years to come!

  • Fall 2023: Community engagement (online survey)
  • Winter/Spring 2024: Detailed design and hire a construction team
  • Spring 2025: Construction starts, playground closes
  • Summer 2025: Construction complete, playground reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

Sign Up for Updates

Sign Up Now

Sign up for updates related to the Cruickshank Park Playground Improvements or unsubscribe from the mailing list.

February 2025

Final Playground Design

The final design for the new Cruikshank Park playground, which has been refined based on community feedback. It will be orange, blue and green and include the play features listed below.

The final playground design and layout were determined using feedback from the community. The new playground will be Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliant and will include the following features:

  • A swing set with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swings
    • one accessible swing
    • one group/basket swing
  • A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • one double slide
    • storefront play panel
    • accessible transfer station
  • A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • one curved slide
    • one straight slide
    • obstacle course
    • pull-up rings
    • accessible transfer station
  • One set of pull-up rings
  • One climbing structure
  • One car spring toy
  • One play panel

December 2023

Online Survey

From November 19 to December 3, 2023, feedback on multiple playground design options was collected in an online survey. The survey was promoted through paid social media ads, outreach to nearby schools, the local Councillor’s office e-blast, on-site signage, and on this page. The survey received a total of 277 responses.

The design team will use this feedback to refine a final design.

Key Feedback Highlights
  • When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design A highest (48 per cent) followed by Playground Design C (27 per cent) and Playground Design B (25 per cent).
  • Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
    • Senior play structure for ages five to 12
    • Junior play structure for ages two to five
    • Climbing structures
  • Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • Stand-alone toys
    • Stand-up spinner toys
    • Supernova spinner (for up to eight children)
  • If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
    • Climbing structures
    • Senior play structure for ages five to 12
    • Senior challenge circuit with multiple climbers
  • For seating around the playground:
    • 30 per cent of respondents like seat walls
    • 12 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
    • 11 per cent of respondents like benches
  • The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange, and purple (54 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown, and grey (36 per cent).
Playground Options

All three designs are accessible, have the same amount of play features, and cost the same amount.

Playground Design A

A rendering of Playground Design A looking to the north from the south. From the lower right to the upper left, it includes a swing set, senior play structure, freestanding sensory panel, upright multi-user spinner, car spring toy, freestanding climber, and junior play structure.

Design A includes:

  • Swing set with:
    • basket swing
    • two belt seats
    • baby seat
    • accessible seat
  • Car spring toy
  • Freestanding sensory panel
  • Upright multi-user spinner
  • Sit down spinner
  • Senior play structure with:
    • two single slides
    • multiple overhead climbers
  • Junior play structure with:
    • double slide
    • lower-level play panels
  • Freestanding climber with:
    • small net climber
    • rock climbing wall
Playground Design B

A rendering of Playground Design B looking to the north from the south. From the lower right to the upper left, it includes a senior play structure, a supernova spinner swing set, a spring toy, and a junior play structure.

Design B includes:

  • Swing set with:
    • basket swing
    • two belt seats
    • two baby seats
  • Senior play structure with:
    • two single slides
    • overhead ladder
    • somersault bar
  • Junior play structure with:
    • single slide
    • double slide
    • climbing pole
    • somersault bar
  • Supernova spinner (for up to eight children)
  • Spring toy (for up to four children)
Playground Design C

A rendering of Playground Design C looking to the north from the south. From the lower right to the upper left, it includes a swing set, spinning chair, senior challenge circuit, overhead multi-user spinner, frog spring toy, beaver spring toy, junior play structure, and freestanding multi-texture sensory panel.

Design C includes:

  • Swing set with:
    • basket swing
    • two belt swings
    • baby seat
    • accessible seat
  • Junior play structure with:
    • single slide
    • double slide
  • Senior challenge circuit with:
    • multiple climbers
    • overhead monkey bars
    • overhead spinning wheels
    • balance stepping pods
  • Freestanding multi-texture sensory panel
  • Frog spring toy
  • Beaver spring toy
  • Spinning chair
  • Overhead multi-user spinner

Cruickshank Park Playground is located at 2196 Weston Rd. The playground can be accessed from the stairs at Church Street and Weston Road and from the Humber River Recreational Trail.

The playground currently includes:

  • One swing set with:
    • four swings for ages two to five
    • two swings for ages five and up
  • A climbing structure with small slide and medium slide
  • Sand under all play areas

The playground will be redesigned using feedback from the community. The redesigned playground is proposed to include:

  • Playground equipment for ages two to 12
  • Additional seating
  • Accessible play equipment and an accessible pathway connecting to the playground area. This means that people of all abilities will be able to play at this playground
  • New lighting

Improvements will only be made in the general playground area. This will not include any new improvements to other areas of the park.