Exbury Park Playground Improvements

About the Project

Exbury Park is a 1.2-hectare park near Jane Street and Wilson Avenue that features two lit outdoor bocce courts and a children’s playground. The playground is being replaced as part of a state-of-good-repair program. An accessible ramp will be connected to the playground and the benches surrounding the playground will be replaced.

Project Updates

January 2021

Feedback on a proposed design and layout for the playground improvements were collected through an online survey and an online public meeting.

Online Survey

An online survey closed on January 24, 2021. The survey asked for community feedback on the proposed design and layout for the playground improvements.

Download the online survey summary.

Online Public Meeting

An online public meeting took place on January 20, 2021. At this meeting, the final proposed design was presented and community members could ask the project team questions and share their suggestions.

Download the online public meeting summary.

December 2020

A preferred park layout and preferred playground design are presented to the public for final thoughts.

Preferred Park Layout

The following images showcase the proposed layout changes to Exbury Park.

The preferred layout changes will include:

• An accessible ramp to the playground.
• A new asphalt pathway from Peacham Crescent (budget permitting).
• A slightly larger playground area with a woodchip-like surface (called “Engineered Wood Fibre”) under the new playground equipment. This surface improves access to play equipment for kids, youth and adults of all abilities.
• A concrete curb around the playground with sections of “seatwall” around the edging, which are large boulder-like rocks that serve as additional seating.
• A small paved area for seating and stroller parking.
• To ensure the playground surface is kept dry, there will be a subsurface drainage tile installed that will connect to a soak-away pit on site.

Preferred Playground Design

This playground design was selected based on feedback received through an online community survey in October 2020. In total, 58% of respondents preferred this playground design out of the three options presented.

The new playground will sit on top of Engineered Wood Fibre, a woodchip-like play surfacing. The playground will include transfer platforms in order to assist individuals with mobility devices on to the playground structures and components. This feature is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

The preferred playground design includes:

• two belt swings, two junior swings and one accessible swing
• one senior structure with
  • three slides
  • four climbing options
  • one sliding pole, monkey lean-out seat and arched bridge
  • Multiple play panels
• one junior structure with:
  • one double slide
  • three climbing options
  • one snake pole
  • one wheel panel
• one freestanding four-wheeler vehicle toy
• one freestanding snail toy
• two freestanding play panels
• two freestanding climber structures
• one stand-up spinner toy

October 2020

Survey

An online survey closed on October 18, 2020. The survey asked for community feedback and preferences on three playground design options (as outlined further in this section).

Download the online survey summary.

Proposed Playground Options

The City developed three design options for the playground equipment. The new playground will sit on top of Engineered Wood Fibre, a woodchip-like play surfacing.

All three playground options include transfer platforms in order to assist individuals with mobility devices on to the playground structures and components. This feature is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Option 1

Option 1 includes:

• two belt swings, two junior swings and one accessible swing
• one senior structure with
  • three slides
  • four climbing options
  • one sliding pole, monkey lean-out seat and arched bridge
  • Multiple play panels
• one junior structure with:
  • one double slide
  • three climbing options
  • one snake pole
  • one wheel panel
• one freestanding four-wheeler vehicle toy
• one freestanding snail toy
• two freestanding play panels
• two freestanding climber structures
• one stand-up spinner toy

Option 2

Option 2 includes:

• two belt swings, one junior swing and one accessible swing
• one senior structure with
  • one spiral and one non-spiral slide
  • seven climbing options
  • one sliding pole, monkey lean-out seat and stepping stone
• one junior structure with:
  • one double slide
  • four climbing options
  • one wheel panel
• one freestanding bumble bee toy
• one freestanding rope climber
• two freestanding play panels

Option 3

Option 3 includes:

• two belt swings, one junior swing and one accessible swing
• one senior structure with
  • one large slide
  • three climbing options
  • two play panels
  • one jig jag climber, lolliladder overhead trekker and gyro twister
• one junior structure with:
  • one double slide
  • three climbing options
• two play panels
• one freestanding fire engine toy
• one stand-up seesaw