The City is expanding Bartley Park to 2,650 m2 (about the size of three NBA basketball courts) as a result of a new townhouse development project on Bartley Drive. The design for the new expanded park area will be determined through community engagement and is proposed to include playground improvements, upgrades to the existing gazebo, new seating areas and new plantings.

The expanded park area may also include a new skate dot to meet the growing demand for skateboarding, as identified in the Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan and the Skateboard Strategy. A skate dot is a single skateable feature, such as a ramp or ledge, designed for young or beginner skateboarders.

    • Summer 2024: Community Engagement Phase 1
    • Fall 2024: Hire a design team
    • Spring 2025: Community Engagement Phase 2
    • Spring/Summer 2025: Detailed design and hire a construction team
    • Spring 2026: Construction starts
    • Summer 2026: Construction complete

    The timeline is subject to change.

    Sign Up for Updates

    Sign Up Now

    Sign up for or unsubscribe from updates related to Bartley Park Expansion.

    Level of Engagement

    This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association of Public Participation‘s Spectrum. This means we obtain public feedback on existing analysis, alternatives, and/or proposals.

    In this phase, the City will present options for amenities and features for both the existing park and the expanded park area to the community for feedback through an online survey. This feedback will be used to develop a proposed design for the park.

    The anticipated outcome of this phase is the development of a proposed design.

    July 2024

    Online Survey

    From July 2 to 23, an online survey collected feedback from 217 respondents on preferences for park features and amenities for the expanded park area. The project team will use this feedback to develop park design options.

    Feedback Summary

    Respondents were asked to rank their preferred activities for the expanded park area. The top three ranked activities were:

    • Play (19 per cent)
    • Spend time with kids (18 per cent)
    • Sit/relax (14 per cent)

    Respondents were asked to rank their preferred landscape or garden features for the expanded park area. The top three ranked options were:

    • New playground surfacing (30 per cent)
    • Tree plantings for shade or greenery (22 per cent)
    • Grassy lawn (18 per cent)

    Respondents were asked to rank their preferred seating types. The top three ranked options were:

    • Standard City benches (31 per cent)
    • Picnic tables (29 per cent)
    • Muskoka chairs (26 per cent)

    Respondents were asked to rank their preferred recreational amenity types. The top options were:

    • Playground equipment (24 per cent)
    • Embankment slide (17 per cent)
    • Adult fitness equipment (16 percent)
    • Single play structure for older children or adults (16 per cent)

    When asked to choose between updating the playground or adding new recreational amenities to the park, most respondents (61 per cent) said they would prefer to add new recreational amenities and keep the existing playground.

    20 per cent of respondents provided additional comments, with the total in parentheses.

    • Add a splash pad or other water feature (16)
    • Add additional play features or playground upgrades (nine)
    • Add swings (seven)
    • Add a basketball court (six)
    • Add an off-leash area for dogs (four)
    • Add shade structures (four)
    • Add lighting (two)
    • Add additional seating (two)
    • Five comments requesting additional recreational amenities including pickleball or tennis courts, soccer, or recreational amenities for young adults, adults and seniors.

    In this phase, the City and the design consultant presented two playground design options and three skate dot design options for community feedback. The feedback will help shape a preferred design for the expanded park area, updated playground area and proposed skate dot.

    Design Options

    Park Layout Design Option A

    Park layout map for option A, with labels that correspond to lists in the section with heading Park Option A Legend.

    Park Option A Legend
    1. Existing pergola with a new picnic table underneath
    2. Existing bike share and picnic table
    3. Existing garbage and recycling bins
    4. Existing sidewalk
    5. Existing steep slope
    6. Existing tree removed
    7. New senior playground
    8. New junior playground
    9. New accessible pathway
    10. New park bench with arm and back rest with adjacent space for wheelchair or baby stroller (3 total)
    11. Muskoka chair with horticulture bed (3 total)
    12. New skate dot
    13. Open lawn area
    14. New concrete raised planting bed with existing tree
    15. New horticulture bed
    16. New trees
    17. New park sign

    Certain features in the park layout design were inspired by four distinct types of cookies, labelled A through D.

    1. Swirled sandwich cookie with cream and jam centre
    2. Chocolate chip cookie
    3. Sugar cookie with icing and rainbow sprinkles
    4. Cookie with chocolate syrup drizzle stripes

    Each cookie corresponds to a unique location on the park map, with the design and pattern of each area reflecting the shape, texture or decoration of its respective cookie.

    Park Layout Design Option B

    Park layout map for option B, with labels that correspond to lists in the section with heading Park Option B Legend.

    Park Option B Legend
    1. Existing pergola with a new picnic table underneath
    2. Existing bike share and picnic table
    3. Existing garbage and recycling bins
    4. Existing sidewalk
    5. Existing tree removed
    6. New hill play area
    7. New senior playground
    8. New junior playground
    9. New park bench with arm and back rest with adjacent space for wheelchair or baby stroller (3 total)
    10. New lounge seating with horticulture bed (Muskoka/Adirondack Chair) (3 total)
    11. New accessible pathway
    12. New skate dot location
    13. Open lawn area
    14. New concrete raised planting bed with existing tree
    15. New horticulture bed
    16. New trees
    17. New park sign

    Certain features in the park layout design were inspired by four distinct types of cookies, labelled A through D.

    1. Chocolate chip cookie
    2. Sugar cookie with icing and rainbow sprinkles
    3. Cookie with chocolate syrup drizzle stripes
    4. Sugar cookie with red and white zigzag icing pattern

    Each cookie corresponds to a unique location on the park map, with the design and pattern of each area reflecting the shape, texture or decoration of its respective cookie.

    Playground Design Option A

    Overhead rendering of Playground Option A. It is image 1 of 3. Numbered labels correspond to the list with heading Playground Option A Legend.
    Rendering of Playground Option A, image 2 of 3, with a focus on the senior play area. Numbered labels correspond to the list with heading Playground Option A Legend.
    Rendering of Playground Option A, image 3 of 3, with a focus on the junior play area. Numbered labels correspond to the list with heading Playground Option A Legend.
    Playground Option A Legend
    1. Junior playground with wood mulch surfacing
    2. One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
      • one curved slide
      • one double slide
      • one cable net climber
      • one labyrinth on wheel panel
      • one play counter
      • one mini hammock
    3. One teeter totter
    4. One free-standing hammock
    5. One creative play panel
    6. One arch swing with 2 seats each
      • one toddler swing
      • one accessible swing
    7. Slide on slope with rubberized surfacing
    8. Senior playground with wood mulch surfacing
    9. One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
      • one double slide
      • one single slide
      • one honeycomb climber
      • one climbing wall
      • mini climbing ladder
      • one mini hammock
      • one net bridge climber
      • one play counter
      • one steering wheel
    10. One arch swing with two belt seats
    11. One upright spinning feature
    12. One rocking feature

    Playground Design Option B

    Overhead rendering of Playground Option B. It is image 1 of 3. Numbered labels correspond to the list with heading Playground Option B Legend.
    Rendering of Playground Option B, image 2 of 3, with a focus on the senior play area. Numbered labels correspond to the list with heading Playground Option B Legend.
    Rendering of Playground Option B, image 3 of 3, with a focus on the junior play area. Numbered labels correspond to the list with heading Playground Option B Legend.
    Playground Option B Legend
    1. Junior playground with engineered wood fibre surfacing
    2. One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
      • 2.4 m (eight ft) plastic slide
      • 2.4 m (eight ft) plastic wave slide
      • cookie conveyor
      • wee climber
      • bakery memory game
      • storefront panel with cookie seat
    3. O-shaped play frames
      • one bakery counter
      • one marble maze
    4. Custom bouncer
    5. Swings
      • one belt swing
      • one accessible seat
    6. Senior playground with engineered wood fibre surfacing
    7. One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
      • one plastic slide
      • one curved slide
      • one squiggle climber
      • two climbing ladders
      • one fruit cream climber
      • one arch bridge
      • one atom climber
    8. One senior climbing structure for ages five to 12 with:
      • one glide ride
      • one accessible ring hanger
      • three overhead climbers
      • one swinging hanger
    9. Cookie factory play panel and chocolate chip cookie stool
    10. Communication board

    Skate Dot Design Options

    Bartley Park has been identified as a potential site for a skate dot through the Toronto Skateboarding Strategy. It would help fill a gap in facilities for junior and beginner skaters in the area, which already has an active skateboarding community. Skateboarding promotes youth fitness, coordination and self-improvement, while also creating opportunities for mentorship within the neighbourhood.

    Design Option A (Quarterpipe)

    A skateboard quarterpipe is a ramp with a single, quarter-circle sloped slide, offering a platform for learning and practicing skateboarding tricks involving transition and flat-ground maneuvers. The quarterpipe is sized for junior and beginner skaters and scooter users.

    Rendering of skate dot design option A featuring a skateboard quaterpipe. Labels correspond to the first list after the image.

    1. Hill play area
    2. Senior playground
    3. Sidewalk
    4. South-facing slope
    5. 900mm height quarter pipe
    6. Open lawn space
    7. Case Ootes Drive
    Design Option B (Manny Pad and Ledge)

    A manny pad, or manual pad, is a short ramp that allows skaters to learn and practice manual tricks. A ledge is a flat, elevated surface that skaters can grid (slide their wheels) on or ollie (jump) over. Skaters can learn and practice balance and control. The manny pad and ledge are sized for junior and beginner skaters and scooter users.

    Rendering of skate dot design option A featuring a manny pad and a ledge. Labels correspond to the first list after the image.

    1. Hill play area
    2. Senior playground
    3. Sidewalk
    4. South-facing slope
    5. 150mm height manny pad and 300mm ledge
    6. Open lawn space
    7. Case Ootes Drive
    Design Option C (Hybrid)

    A manny pad and quarterpipe hybrid places the manny pad into the quarterpipe, which provides a stable platform for practicing manual tricks, ollies, and more creative combinations of tricks and maneuvers. The manny pad and quarterpipe are sized for junior and beginner skaters and scooter users.

    Rendering of skate dot design option A featuring a hybrid design with both a quaterpipe and a manny pad. Labels correspond to the first list after the image.

    1. Hill play area
    2. Senior playground
    3. Sidewalk
    4. South-facing slope
    5. 900mm height quarterpipe
    6. 150mm height manny pad
    7. Open lawn space
    8. Case Ootes Drive

    Community Engagement Meetings and Events

    June to July 2025

    Online Survey

    From June 13 to July 3, an online survey collected 156 responses with community feedback and preferences on the proposed designs for park layout, improved playground area and new skate dot.

    The most voted design options were:

    • park layout design option B (69 per cent)
    • playground design option A (67 per cent)
    • skate dot design option C (40 percent)

    Overall, 90 per cent of survey participants were satisfied with the proposed design options, with 46 per cent very satisfied.

    Feedback Summary

    For park layout options, 69 per cent of participants preferred option B over 15 per cent who preferred option A. In addition, 15 per cent of participants indicated they have no preference between the two proposed design options.

    For playground design options, 67 per cent of participants preferred option A over 22 per cent who preferred option B. 10 per cent of participants indicated they have no preference between the two proposed design options.

    When asked to rank the three proposed skate dot designs, 40 per cent of participants selected option C as their top choice, followed by 32 per cent who preferred option A and 28 per cent for option B.

    If budget permits, the top five most important play features to include in the new playground were:

    • belt swings (19 per cent)
    • climbing structures (15 per cent)
    • group/accessible swing (nine per cent)
    • rope climber (nine per cent)
    • spiral slide (eight per cent)

    The least important play features to include in the new playground were:

    • play panels (20 per cent)
    • stand-up spinner toys (11 per cent)
    • quiet hideaways (10 per cent)
    • climbable step platforms (eight per cent)
    • spring toys (eight per cent)

    When asked about their favourite seating option for Bartley Park, the preference ranking were:

    • picnic tables (79 per cent like/strongly like)
    • standard benches (77 per cent like/strongly like)
    • muskoka chairs (67 per cent like/strongly like)
    • amourstone seating (48 per cent like/strongly like)

    When asked about proposed accessibility improvements to Bartley Park, 46 per cent of participants were satisfied and 37 per cent very satisfied.

    Additional feedback on accessibility includes adding shades or tree canopy for sun and rain protection, sufficient lighting, more group and family seating options and using a rubberized surface instead of woodchips.

    Participants were invited to rank their favourite colour themes for Bartley Park improvements, inspired by sweet treats like cookies, cakes, and candies. The preference ranking for the colour options was:

    • option B: cake, sprinkles and icing (36 per cent)
    • option A: cookie jar (34 per cent)
    • option C: candy land (29 per cent)

    Other colour themes shared by participants were earthy colours, bright primary colours, nature colours and pastel colours.

    Participants were asked to provide any additional comments or suggestions on the proposed improvements at Bartley Park. Some common themes include: more trees and natural planting, more space for the skate dot area, sufficient lighting at the park for nighttime use and removing any woodchips or sand surface.

    Other out-of-scope feedback was also recorded, such as a designated area for dog owners and walkers, public washroom, splash pad or wading pool and space for skating or roller blading.