The City is improving the playground in Erwin Krickhahn 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!
Project Timeline
Fall 2024: Community engagement
Winter/Spring 2025: Design development
Summer/Fall 2025: Community engagement
Summer 2026: Detailed design and hire a construction team
Fall 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
Spring 2027: Construction complete, playground reopens
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Project Updates
October 2025
Online Survey
From October 9 to October 23, feedback on multiple playground design options was collected in an online survey. The survey received a total of 84 responses.
A summary of the survey feedback will be posted on this page.
November 2024
Community Pop-up Event
On November 5, the project team collected feedback on the design and equipment for the improved playground at a community pop-up event in Erwin Krickhahn Park.
Approximately 35 community members participated in the event. Participants were asked to share their preferences through a voting activity and provide additional feedback using sticky notes. Two members of the project team were present to answer questions and gather feedback. The Councillor and two staff members were also in attendance.
Feedback Summary
13 participants preferred a playground type with one main structure with many play features attached and three preferred many separate features without a main structure
Participants shared that the most important features to include in the new playground are:
Rope climber
Monkey bars
Climbing structure
For seating around the playground:
Nine participants like Muskoka chairs seatwalls
Eight participants like games (e.g. chess, checkers) tables
Seven participants like benches
Six participants like picnic tables
Six participants like armour stones
For amenities around the playground:
seven participants like more seating types and options
five participants like more garbage and recycling bins
five participants like bike parking
three participants like stroller parking
Online Survey
From October 28 to November 11, 2024, feedback on the design and equipment for the improved playground 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 198 responses.
The design team will use this feedback to develop playground design options. These designs will be presented to the community in a second online survey.
Feedback Summary
56 per cent of participants preferred a playground type with one main structure with many play features attached and 31 per cent preferred many separate features without a main structure
Participants shared that the most important features to include in the new playground are:
Climbing structure
Belt swings
Spiral slide
Participants shared that the least important features to include in the new playground are:
Play panels
Stand-up spinner toys
Climbable step platforms
Participants ranked the seating options in the following order:
Benches
Picnic tables
Muskoka chairs
Armourstone seating walls
Game tables (e.g. chess, checkers)
For amenities around the playground:
78 percent of participants like more seating types and options
52 per cent of participants like stroller parking
50 per cent of participants like bike parking
43 per cent of participants like more garbage and recycling bins
Several participants suggested including play features for children under five, removing the sand play surface and adding a sandbox
Some participants suggested including belt swings for adults, adding a rubber play surface and adding fencing around the playground
Suggestions that are beyond the scope of this project included calls for an off-leash dog area, a basketball court, a washroom and a splash pad
About the Project
Erwin Krickhahn Park Playground is located at the south side of the park.
The playground currently includes:
eight swings
two slides and one spiral slide
a play structure with climbing options
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.
