The City is improving the playground in Florence Gell Park. These improvements are part of an ongoing city-wide program to ensure our playgrounds provide safe and accessible fun for years to come!
Project Timeline
- Fall 2021: Community engagement (online survey 1)
- Winter 2023: Community engagement (online survey 2)
- Spring and Summer 2023: Design
- Fall 2023: Construction starts
- End of 2023: Playground reopens
The timeline is subject to change
Get Involved
Sign Up for Updates
Sign Up Now
Sign up for updates related to the Florence Gell Park Playground Improvements project or unsubscribe from the mailing list.
Project Updates
April 2023
Online Survey
From March 13 to April 14, 2023, feedback on multiple playground design options was collected in an online survey. The survey was promoted through paid social media ads, the local Councillor’s office, on-site signage, and on this page. The survey received a total of 226 responses.
The design team will use this feedback to refine a final design. The final design will be available on this page in June 2023.
Key Feedback Highlights
- When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design A highest (77 per cent) followed by Playground Design B (23 per cent).
- Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
- Senior play structure for ages 5 to 12
- Climbing structures
- Junior play structure for ages 2 to 5
- Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
- Stand-alone toys (e.g. rocking toys, teeter totters)
- Sand play table
- Play panels
- If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
- Climbing structures
- Slides
- Belt swings
- The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was natural wood and red (44 per cent), followed by earthy colours like green, brown, and grey (34 per cent) over bright colours, like yellow, orange, and purple (14 per cent).
Playground Options
Both designs are accessible, have the same amount of play features and cost the same amount.
Playground Design A
Design A includes:
- One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
- One double slide
- One house with bench
- One accessible stairway
- One side desk
- One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
- One slide
- Monkey bars
- Rock climber
- One accessible stairway
- One desk
- One tree climber
- One spring board for ages two to 12
- One spinning ring for ages four to 12
- One spinning bowl for ages four to 12
- One play panel
- One swing set with one group swing, one belt swing and one toddler swing
- One sand table
Playground Design B
Design B includes:
- One junior play structure with:
- One curved slide
- Three climbing options
- One wheel panel
- One play panel
- Bongos
- One senior structure with:
- One slide
- Log steps
- Three climbing options
- Two rocking toys
- One spinning toy
- One swing set with two belt swing, one toddler swing and one accessible swing
- One sand table
November 24 to December 8, 2021
Online Survey
The survey asked the community for feedback and preferences on multiple playground options. This feedback will be used to develop a single playground design, which will be presented to the community for additional feedback.
Download the survey summary.
About the Project
Florence Gell Park Playground is located at 85 Varsity Rd. in Etobicoke York. The Park features a splash pad and a children’s playground.
The playground currently includes:
- Two swing sets with:
- Four belt swings
- Two bucket swings
- A junior climbing structure with one small slide
- A senior climbing structure with two slides
- Sand under all play areas
The playground will be redesigned using feedback from the community. The redesigned playground is proposed to include:
- A full playground redevelopment including accessible play equipment
- An accessible pathway connecting to the new playground area
- Woodchip playground surfacing
- A large sand play area with natural play features
Improvements will only be made in the general playground area. This will not include any new water or lighting features, or improvements to other areas of the park.
