Baird Park Playground Improvements

Review feedback from the online survey in the Project Updates section.

The City is improving the playground in Baird Park as part of an ongoing program to enhance playgrounds and play spaces across the city so that everyone can experience the joys and benefits of play for years to come.  

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 Elif Ozcelik at 416-670-4659.

  • Fall 2024 to Spring 2025: Design development
  • Summer 2025: Hire a design consultant
  • Fall 2025: Community engagement (online survey) and detailed design
  • Winter 2026: Hire a construction team
  • Spring 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
  • Late Spring 2026: Construction complete, playground reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

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November 2025

Online Survey

From October 27 to November 30, 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, on-site signage and on this page. The survey received 454 responses.

The design team will use this feedback to refine the final playground design. The final design will be available on this page in Winter 2026.

Key Feedback Highlights

When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design C highest (44 per cent) followed by Playground Design B (40 per cent) and Playground Design A (16 per cent).

Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:

  • climbing structure
  • senior play structure for ages five to 12
  • junior play structure for ages two to five

Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:

  • stand-alone toys
  • play panels
  • stand-up spinner toys

If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:

  • climbing structure
  • senior play structure for ages five to 12
  • junior play structure for ages two to five

For seating around the playground:

  • 82 per cent of respondents like benches
  • 72 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
  • 33 per cent of respondents like armour stones

The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple (44 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown and grey (41 per cent).

Playground Options

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

Playground Design A

Playground Design A.  From left to right, the playground features a rocket spring toy, double-bay swing set, senior play structure, stand-up spinner, overhead net climber, junior play structure, spring toy and stand-alone play panel. It is described further in the first list following the image.

Design A includes:

  • a swing set with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • a junior play structure for ages 18 months to five years with:
    • one curved slide
    • jungle net climber
    • stepping pod climber
    • play counter
    • accessible transfer platform
    • one play panel
  • a senior play structure for ages five to 12 years with:
    • one spiral slide
    • one wavy slide
    • one set of hangout seats underneath
    • five climbing options, including an overhead twisted challenge
    • solar system play panel
    • Tic-Tac-Toe Panel
  • free-standing overhead net climber
  • one stand-up spinner
  • two spring toys
  • one stand-alone play panel
Playground Design C

Playground Design B featuring a large senior play structure, double-bay swing set, junior play structure, merry-go-round, two-person spring toy, spinner seat, imagination play panel and free-standing musical play panel. It is described further in the first list following the image.

Design B includes:

  • a swing set with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • junior play features for ages two to five years with:
    • two slides
    • loop ladder climber
    • sloped climber
    • storefront panel
    • accessible transfer platform
  • a senior play structure for ages five to 12 years with:
    • two slides
    • stepping pod climber
    • double chin-up bars
    • four different climbing options, including overhead monkey bars
    • drum-shaped musical play feature
    • two accessible transfer platforms
  • two-person spring toy
  • musical play panel
  • imagination play panel
  • one group spinner (merry-go-round) for ages five-12 years
Playground Design C

Playground Design C featuring a junior play structure, two spring toys, a senior climber circuit, a stand-up spinner and a double-bay swing set in the background. It is described further in the first list following the image.

Design C includes:

  • a swing set with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • junior play features for ages two to five years with:
    • two slides
    • three climbing options, including a net climber
    • swing seat
    • play panel
    • accessible transfer platform
  • a senior climber circuit for ages five to 12 years with:
    • rock climbing wall
    • overhead climbing rings
    • low accessible pull-up rings
    • overhead loop climber
    • spider web net climber
  • two spring toys (airplane and car)
  • one stand-up spinner
  • one multi-child sit-down spinner
Site Plan

The new playground will remain in the same location, with a slight expansion to the north to improve its connection to the existing wading pool area.

Baird Park playground improvement site plan, showing the new playground area, existing wading pool and accessible pathways. Areas are numbered and correspond to the list under heading Site Map Legend.

Site Map Legend
  1. New playground area with wood fibre safety surfacing
  2. New accessible benches on concrete pads.
  3. New tree planting
  4. Existing wading pool to remain
  5. New 2.1m wide accessible asphalt pathway
  6. Metal fence
  7. Existing open lawn to remain
  8. Existing washroom building
  9. Relocated bike racks – on new concrete pad
  10. Existing fenced off-leash dog area
  11. Natural play area and additional seating
  12. Existing paved pathways – to remain as-is
  13. New accessible concrete playground ramp

Baird Park Playground is in the centre of the park, adjacent to the wading pool and north of the lawn bowling area.

The playground currently includes:

  • a swing set with:
    • two toddler swings for ages two to five
    • one belt swing
    • one accessible swing
  • a play structure
  • one curved slide and one small slide
  • a sandbox
  • spring toys
  • sand under all play areas

The playground will be redesigned using community feedback and is proposed to include:

  • playground equipment for ages five to 12
  • additional seating
  • engineered wood fibre surfacing
  • an accessible pathway to the playground area

The play equipment and pathway connecting to the playground area will comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Learn more about how playgrounds are made accessible.

Improvements will only be made in the general playground area and will not include any new water or lighting features or improvements to other areas of the park.