Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park & Playground Improvements

The new Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park and Playground is open! Thank you to all the community members who provided their feedback throughout this park and playground improvement process!

The City is updating Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park and playground to improve the space for playground and park users.

Project Timeline

  • 2020 to Winter 2021: Design development and community engagement
  • July 2021: Construction starts
  • December 2021: Construction complete

This timeline is subject to change.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Rachel Weston at 416-392-3357 or Rachel.Weston@toronto.ca.

March 2022

A new activity panel that incorporates tactility, problem-solving and social play will be installed in the spring. The activity panel provides an interactive game for participants to play together, with the goal of trying to match four caps in a row in order to win. The panel does not produce loud noise.

Image of the new play panel that incorporates tactility, problem solving and social play. The panel background is blue with a circular game space in the middle. In the game space, small circular coloured caps are attached to the panel and can be moved to create patterns or match four coloured caps in a row to win.

January 2022

The park is now open.

The musical activity panel on the climber has been removed due to concerns about noise disturbance in close proximity to adjacent residences. The project team is currently exploring options for an alternative activity panel to be installed in the spring. More information will be provided here when it becomes available.

Light pole delivery and installation has been delayed due to supply chain issues.

July 2021

Playground Construction

Construction will begin July 2021 and finish December 2021.

Based on community engagement, the following playground upgrades will be installed:Rendering of the playground upgrades, as described following the image.

Features:

  1. Play structures with engineered wood fiber surface
  2. Flat lawn and bermed lawn
  3. Connective asphalt pathways
  4. Picnic tables and benches
  5. New trees
  6. Perennial planting buffer with armourstone barrier
  7. Sand area
  8. Seatwall
  9. Bottle filling station and water fountain

December 2020

Community Engagement Phase 3

Phase 3 of the community engagement (final phase) included an online survey.

Online Survey

This survey introduced the proposed park and playground design and asked respondents to share final suggestions or feedback. The survey was available to complete online from November 16 to December 6, 2020. The survey received a total of 100 survey responses which included feedback from 206 people.

Download the survey feedback summary.

Design Development

Park Design

The proposed park design includes a linear pathway that runs from east to west through the park. There is fencing along the perimetre of the park including decorative fencing on teh east and west sides, and decorative plantings that serve as a form of fencing. Along the pathway there are two picnic tables on paved surfaces. One in the east, one in the middle, and one in the west end of the park. There is one bench along the path, facing the playground. There is also a seatwall around a portion of the playground ; this is a rock formation along the pathway that acts as an edge to the playground and provides seating. South of the pathways is a lawn area for passive recreation. North of the pathway is the playground, with, from west to east, a large swingset, a large tree, a large play structure and climber for older kids, a small play structure for toddlers, and accessible swing, and a sand play area with burried dinosaur bones. There are two lights along the pathway and new trees planted south of the pathway.

The park design includes:

  1. Play structures with engineered wood fibre surface (similar to wood chips) and accessible ramps so those with mobility devices can enter and use the playground.
  2. Grassy areas that provide shady places for socializing and play. Some areas are flat, while others have a gentle hill.
  3. Asphalt pathways that provide connections through the park.
  4. Picnic tables and benches that can be accessed by people who use mobility devices.
  5. New trees.
  6. Perennial planting beds that include pollinator plants with an armourstone barrier (a stone wall that people can sit on). This provides separation from nearby uses.
  7. A sand area that includes logs, boulders, and buried dinosaur bones to discover.
  8. Seatwall that offers seating on both sides and stamped impressions of fossils.
  9. Bottle filling station and fountain.
Playground Design

This is the updated playground design for Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park Playground. It is described in the text following the image.

The playground design includes:

  • A large, 10-foot swing set with two belt swings and two infant swings
  • A Junior and Senior play structure
  • Multiple slides
  • A separate climbing structure
  • One accessible swing
  • A separate play structure for toddlers, which includes a slide
  • A large sandplay area with buried dinosaur bones

September to October 2020

Community Engagement Phase 2

Phase 2 of the community engagement included an online survey.

Online Survey

The online survey was live from September 16 to October 4, 2020. In total, 116 survey responses were received.

Download the survey feedback summary.

Phase 2 Design Development

Three park design options were presented. Each of the three options builds off of design options from Phase 1 of the community engagement, based on the feedback received through the online survey and through emails.

Park Option 1

Design Option 1 is based on Programmatic Plan Option 1, which was presented in the last public survey.

This is option 1 for the layout of the park from the last online survey. It shows a plant buffer on the north and south end of the park, 2 entrance/exist on both the east and west part of the park. The play structure and open grass area are on the south side of the park, and a curvy path runs along the northern portion of the park.
Programmatic Option 1, from the last public survey.

This design option responds to the following survey feedback:

  • More trees and native plantings
  • Improved, accessible pathways
  • More seating and seating choices
  • Less isolation between different spaces of the park
  • Provide a working water fountain
  • Have a dinosaur theme
  • A non-sand playground surface
A curvey path runs along the north end of the park, with one entrance on the west side and two entrances on the west side. There is a green buffer of plantings along the north end of the park. Two picnic areas, on concrete slabs, sits on the east and west side of the park, just north of the path. There are also three benches around the park. The playground area is centrally located, south of the park pathway. The playground includes swings, a large play structure, and a sand play area. There is fencing around all sides of the park, with the east and west sides having short, decorative fencing and a planting bed to create a sense of a separate space inside and outside of the park. There are two lights on each end of the playground. New trees are planted around the playground area. Design features are described in detail below.
Proposed Design Option 1.

Nine photos showing the features of the proposed option, and described with text following the image.

Option 1 elements include:

  1. Play structures with engineered wood fibre surface, accessible ramp and safety surface.
  2. Flat lawn and bermed lawn Grassy areas provide shady places for casual socializing and play.
  3. Connective asphalt pathways. Improved connectivity with wide gently sloped pathways ensuring accessibility from multiple directions and ease of use.
  4. Picnic tables and benches. Accessible layout and design.
  5. New trees. Additional trees can be planted to supplement the existing canopy around the playground.
  6. Perennial planting buffer. Provides a sense of separation from the adjacent uses with tough perennials with year-round interest including pollinator plants.
  7. Armour stone sandpit with dinosaur bones. A life-size Alleosaurus skeleton hides beneath the sand waiting to be discovered.
  8. Stamped or embedded concrete with prehistoric fossils or footprints.
  9. Bottle filling station and fountain.
Park Option 2

Design Option 2 is also based on Programmatic Plan Option 1, which was presented in the last public survey.

A curvey path runs along the north end of the park, with one entrance on the west side and two entrances on the west side. There is a green buffer of plantings along the north end of the park. Two picnic areas, on concrete slabs, sits on the east and west side of the park, just north of the path. There are also three benches around the park. The playground area is centrally located, south of the park pathway. The playground includes swings, a large play structure, a smaller play structure and a sand play area. There is fencing all along the north and south sides of the park, with decorative fencing on the east side of the park. There is no fencing on the west side of the park. Instead, the west side of the park contains a grassy lawn area for casual play and socializing. There are two lights on each end of the playground. New trees are planted along around the playground area. Design features are described in detail below.
Proposed Design Option 2.

Option 2 elements are the same as those in Park Option 1.

Park Option 3
This is option 2 for the layout of the park from the last online survey. It shows a plant buffer on the north and south end of the park,, with large planted buffers on the wast and west sides of the park, around the entrances. There is one entrance/exist on both the east and west part of the park. The pathway is angular and runs through the middle of the park. North of the pathway is a play area in the sentre of the park. South of the pathways is grassy space for passive activities.
Programmatic Option 2, from the last public survey.

This design option responds to the following survey feedback:

  • More trees and native plantings
  • Improved, accessible pathways
  • More seating and seating choices
  • Less isolation between different spaces of the park
  • Provide a working water fountain
  • Open sight-lines to the streets on each side of the park
  • Reduced fencing/fencing only at the playground
  • A non-sand playground surface.
An angular path runs through the middle of the park from east to west. along the path, there are three benches, two large seatwalls, and two picnic tables (one towards the east and one towards the west end of the park) both on paved slabs. The playground is located north of the pathway and includes two play structures, a swingset, and a small sand play area on the eastern end. South of the pathways ia a lawn area for passive recreation. New trees are planted along the south side of the pathways.
Proposed Design Option 3.

Nine photos showing the features of proposed option 2, and described with text following the image.

Option 3 elements include:

  1. Play structures with engineered wood fibre surface: Accessible ramp and safety surface.
  2. Flat lawn and bermed lawn: Grassy areas provide shady places for casual socializing and play.
  3. Connective asphalt pathways: Improved connectivity with wide gently sloped pathways ensuring accessibility from multiple directions and ease of use.
  4. Picnic tables and benches: Accessible layout and design.
  5. New trees: Additional trees can be planted to supplement the existing canopy around the playground.
  6. Perennial planting buffer: Provides a sense of separation from the adjacent uses with tough perennials with year-round interest including pollinator plants.
  7. Sandbox: A flush concrete curb encloses a sandbox with a possible water tap.
  8. Seatwall: Long concrete seatwall offers seating on both sides and stamped impressions of fossils to discover.
  9. Bottle filling station and fountain.

Playground Options

Four playground design options were presented. Each of the four options builds off of design options from Phase 1 of the community engagement, based on the feedback received through the online survey and through emails.

Playground Option 1

Two renderings of playground option 1, described in the text following the image.

Playground Option 1 includes:

  • Shaded rope climbers
  • Structures for separate age groups
    • One senior structure
    • One junior structure
  • Swings
    • One accessible swing
    • One junior swing
    • Two senior swings
Playground Option 2

Two renderings of playground option 2, described in the text following the image.

Playground Option 2 includes:

  • Traditional style and a rope climber
  • Structures for mixed age groups
    • One senior and junior structure (combined)
    • Rope climber
    • Balance steps
    • Activity panels
  • Swings
    • One accessible swing
    • One junior swing
    • Two senior swings
Playground Option 3

Two renderings of playground option 3, described in the text following the image.

Playground Option 3 includes:

  • Modern Style
  • Structures for separate age groups
    • One senior structure
    • One junior structure
  • Swings
    • One accessible swing
    • One junior swing
    • Two senior swings
  • Exercise bars
  • Seesaw and spring toy
Playground Option 4

Two renderings of playground option 4, described in the text following the image.

Playground Option 4 includes:

  • A rope climber and rope spinner
  • Structures for mixed age groups
    • A pyramid rope climber with slide
    • A small spinning rope climber
  • Swings
    • Two saucer swings

January to July 2020

Phase 1 of the community engagement included two online surveys (A and B).

Online Survey B

The survey was available to complete online from July 11 to July 27, 2020. In total, the survey received 31 responses.

Download the survey feedback summary.

Phase 1 Design Development

A design team has been hired to lead the design development and consultation process. They developed a site analysis report. Based on this report and the feedback from the January 2020 online survey, they produced three high-level preliminary layout options for the park. These contain different ideas for play and passive recreation areas, pathways and buffer zones.

Online Survey A

To begin the community engagement process for this project, in January 2020 an online survey was completed by 32 residents. Participants shared what they liked, disliked, and wanted to see changed in Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park. The results of this survey are summarised below:

  • Most respondents would prefer a rubberized play surface, to improve playground accessibility.
  • Most respondents would like park entrance fencing removed and softer landscaping at park entrances (e.g. grass and greenery instead of pavement).
  • Most respondents would like the swings to remain and be improved.
  • Most respondents would like the tether-ball pole to be removed for other play options.
  • Most respondents would like to see more shade in the park, through the planting of trees.
  • Most respondents would like a water fountain and bottle fill station.
  • Many respondents said that adding a large or small sandbox would balance the removal of sand as a play surface.
  • Many respondents would like to see improved park lighting, as long as the lights were not disruptive to neighbouring homes.
  • Respondents were fairly split on whether to keep or remove the existing play structures, though slightly more preferred to keep the play structures.
  • Respondents were split on whether to include a water feature or a splash pad in the park.

The redesigned park and playground will include:

  • A new park layout
  • A new playground and play elements
  • Improved accessible pathways
  • Improved seating
  • Updated plantings
  • Updated amenities (e.g. water fountain)

The park and playground design will be developed through consultation with the community.
Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park Playground before construction.
Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park after construction.
Joseph Burr Tyrrell Park after construction.
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