Checkendon Park Playground Improvements

The new Checkendon Park playground is open. Thank you to all the community members who provided their feedback throughout the playground improvement process.

 

The City is improving the playground in Checkendon 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 Tikki Yuen at 416-338-3956.

  • December 2024 to January 2025: Community engagement (online survey)
  • Winter to Summer 2025: Detailed design
  • Fall 2025: Hire a construction team
  • Spring 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
  • Late Spring 2026: Construction complete, playground reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association for Public Participation Spectrum. This means we collect and consider public feedback on proposed design options to inform the development of a final playground design.

July 2026

Construction is complete and the improved playground opens to the public.

May 2026

Construction Update

Construction for the new playground starts and is anticipated to continue until June, 2026. The construction fencing will be removed, and the playground will reopen to the public thereafter.

April 2026

Final Site Plan

As part of the final design review process, minor revisions were made to the site plan to improve accessibility. One of the proposed benches was also removed from the final layout because it was located within the floodplain. These changes do not affect the overall functionality of the playground or seating area.

final site plan of the new Checkendon Park playground with an ariel view of the playground area. It shows the main playground area, new and existing pathways, and surrounding plantings. Main site plan elements are listed in the legend.

Legend

  1. junior play structure for ages two to five
  2. senior play structure for ages five to 12
  3. swing set
  4. engineered wood fibre surfacing
  5. seating area
  6. new accessible asphalt path
  7. accessibility ramp
  8. existing asphalt path
  9. existing trees
  10. new tree
  11. existing grass surface
  12. waste bins

Final Playground Design

final site plan of the new Checkendon Park playground with an ariel view of the playground area. It shows the main playground area, new and existing pathways, and surrounding plantings. Main site plan elements are listed in the legend.

The final playground design and layout was determined using feedback from the community. The new playground will be AODA compliant and will include the following play features:

  • one swing set with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • one junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • one double slide
    • three climbing options
    • one climbing pole
    • multiple play panels
    • shade roof
    • accessible transfer station
  • one senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • one curved slide
    • one spiral slide
    • five climbing options
    • sitting pods
    • play entrance
    • play counter
    • multiple play panels
    • shade roofs
    • accessible transfer station
  • one sit-down spinner toy

The new playground will also include a new seating area with an accessible picnic table and bench, new accessible asphalt pathways connecting to the playground area, new tree plantings and associated landscape and accessibility improvements.

January 2026

Site Plan Updates

Checkendon Park Playground Enhancement Plan from the lower left to the upper right, southwest to northeast. The new layout includes a central recreational area includes with a picnic table and bench, a new swing set, junior and senior play structures, an additional accessible seating area located north of the playground, and trail connections along West Humber Trail.

The new playground will remain in the same location, with a slight expansion to the west to improve accessibility. An additional accessible pathway and a seating area are included.

  1. Junior play equipment for two to five years
  2. Senior play equipment for five to 12 years
  3. Swings
  4. Wood fibre safety surfacing
  5. Seating area with accessible picnic table and bench
  6. New accessible asphalt pathway
  7. Playground accessible ramp (two)
  8. Existing asphalt pathway
  9. Existing trees to be preserved
  10. New trees (four)
  11. Existing lawn to be preserved
  12. Relocated waste station on concrete pad

November 2025

Construction Schedule Update

Construction is now scheduled to begin in spring 2026 (previously winter 2025), as winter weather conditions make outdoor work unpredictable.

February 2025

Online Survey

From December 19, 2024, to January 19, 2025, 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 a total of 201 responses.

The design team will use this feedback to refine the final playground design. The final design will be available on this page in Spring 2025.

Key Feedback Highlights
  • When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design C highest (36 per cent) followed by Playground Design A (32 per cent), Playground Design D (26 per cent) and Playground Design B (six per cent).
  • Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
    • Senior play structure
    • Climbing structures
    • Tall slides
  • Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • Stand-alone motion toys
    • Play panels
    • Play counters and play seating
  • If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
    • Climbing structures
    • Tall slides
    • Senior play structure
  • For seating around the playground:
    • 36 per cent of respondents like seatwalls
    • 74 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
    • 84 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
  • The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was a mix of both earthy and bright colours (52 per cent) over bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple (17 per cent) and earthy colours like green, brown and grey (19 per cent).
Playground Options

All three designs are Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA)-compliant, have the same amount of play features and cost the same amount.

Playground Design A
Rendering of playground Option A, further described following the image.
From left to right: the senior play structure, a junior structure, play panels in the background and a swing set.

Design A includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swings
    • One accessible swing
  • A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • Three climbing options
    • One climbing pole
    • Two play panels
  • A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One curved slide
    • One spiral slide
    • Five climbing options including a crawl tube, overhand rings and stepping stones
    • One telescope panel
  • Multiple stand-alone play panels
  • One spinning wheel toy
Playground Design B
Rendering of playground Option B, further described following the image.
From left to right: a swing set, a talk tube, a spring toy, a medium all-ages play structure which includes two platform structures, a tree-themed climber and two slides.

Design B includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swings
    • One accessible swing
  • A play structure for ages two to 12 with:
    • Four climbing options
    • One curvy slide
    • One straight slide
    • One play panel
    • One tree-themed climbing course
  • One set of talk tubes
  • One spring toy
Playground Design C
Rendering of playground Option C, further described following the image.
From left to right: a swing set, a small junior play structure and a large all-ages play structure with two slides.

Design C includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swings
    • One accessible swing
  • A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • Three climbing options
    • One climbing pole
    • Multiple play panels
  • A play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One curved slide
    • One spiral slide
    • Five climbing options
    • Sitting pods, play entrance, and play counter underneath for ages two to 12
    • Multiple play panels
  • One sit-down spinner toy
Playground Design D
Rendering of Playground Option D, further described following the image.
From left to right: a swing set, a large senior play structure and a medium junior play structure.

Design D includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swings
    • One accessible swing
  • A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One curved slide
    • One straight slide
    • Three climbing options
  • A play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One large wavy slide
    • Four climbing options
    • One linked climbing structure including overhead rings
    • One lean-out area
    • Multiple play panels

Checkendon Park Playground is located near the West Humber Trail, east of Checkendon Drive and Riverhead Drive.

The playground currently includes:

  • two swing sets with:
    • two swings for ages two to five
    • two swings for ages five to 12
  • a medium-sized play structure with slide
  • 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.
Date modified: August 14, 2026