Islington Park Playground Improvements

Review the most recent survey results in the Project Updates section.

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

Project Timeline

  • February/March 2022: Community Engagement (online survey)
  • Spring 2022: Community engagement, detailed design and hire a construction team
  • Summer 2022: Construction starts
  • Winter 2022: Construction complete, playground reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

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May 2022

Online Survey

From April 18 to May 2, 2022, feedback on multiple playground design options was collected in an online survey. The survey was promoted through paid social media ads, postcards, outreach to nearby schools, the local Councillor’s office, on-site signage, and on this page. The survey received a total of 469 responses, which included feedback from 309 participants of various ages.

The design team will use this feedback to refine a final design. The final design will be available on this page in the summer of 2022.

Key Feedback Highlights

When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design B highest (45 per cent) followed by Playground Design C (35 per cent) and Playground Design A (21 per cent).

  • Respondents shared that the five most important features to include in the new playground are:
    • climbing play structures
    • group/accessible swing
    • the junior play structure for ages two to five
    • curvy slide
    • double slide
  • Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • stand-along toys (e.g. spinner)
    • straight slide
    • play panels
  • If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
    • the senior play structure for ages five to 12
    • climbing structures
    • belt swings
  • For seating around the playground:
    • 80 per cent of respondents like benches
    • 76 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
    • 56 per cent of respondents like seatwalls
  • The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange, and purple (59 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown, and grey (29 per cent)
Playground Options

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

Playground Design A

Aerial rendered view of Playground Design A for the Islington Park Playground improvements looking from southwest to northeast. A new overhead senior climbing structure next to the existing senior play structure. A new spinner toy, a new junior play structure and a new senior climbing rope structure next to existing swingsets. Primary colour for the equipment is blue.

Design A includes:

  • An existing swingset with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one new accessible swing
  • One new junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • one curved slide
    • three climbing options
    • one play wheel on post
    • one play panel
  • One new senior climbing structure for ages five to 12
  • One new spinner toy
  • An existing senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • one double slide
    • one curved slide
    • several climbing options
    • multiple play panels
Playground Design B

Aerial rendered view of Playground Design B for the Islington Park Playground improvements looking from southwest to northeast. A new overhead senior climbing structure next to the existing senior play structure. A new junior play structure with web ropes and other climbing features next to existing swingsets. Primary colour for the equipment is blue.

Design B includes:

  • An existing swingset with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one new accessible swing
  • One new junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • one double slide
    • three climbing options
    • two play panels
  • One new senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • six climbing options, including one overhead climber
  • An existing senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • one double slide
    • one curved slide
    • several climbing options
    • multiple play panels
Playground Design C

Aerial rendered view of Playground Design C for the Islington Park Playground improvements looking from south to north. A new arch climbing structure with a climbing wall and a vertical tunnel climbing structure. A new junior play structure with multiple climbing options and shade structure. Primary colour for the equipment is grey with orange accents.

Design C includes:

  • An existing swingset with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one new accessible swing
  • One new junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • one straight slide, one wavy slide, one curvy slide
    • three climbing options
    • one “hammock” seated motion toy
    • one telescope toy
    • one play panel
  • Two new all ages climbing structures:
    • one structure with two arches and one climbing wall
    • one vertical tunnel climber
  • An existing senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • one double slide
    • one curved slide
    • several climbing options
    • multiple play panels

Islington Park Playground is located at Finch Avenue and Islington Avenue, at the centre of Islington Park.

The playground currently includes:

  • One swing set with:
    • Two swings for ages two to five
    • Two swings for ages five and up
  • A medium-sized slide
  • A senior climbing structure with a large 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
  • Engineered wood fibre playground surfacing
  • 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.

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.