From the week of May 4 to late July 2026, the playground will be closed for construction. Visit the Project Updates section for more information.
The City is improving the playground in Highland Heights 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
January 2025: Community engagement (online survey)
Summer to Fall 2025: Detailed design and hire a construction team
Spring 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
Summer 2026: Construction complete, playground reopens
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Project Updates
May 2026
Construction Update
Construction for the new playground starts and is anticipated to continue until late July 2026.
The nearest playgrounds are located at Timberbank Park and Knott Park.
March 2026
Final Playground Design
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:
a swing set with:
two belt swings
two toddler swings
one accessible swing
a junior play structure for ages two to five with:
one double slide
one wheel panel
a senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
one straight slide
one spiral slide
two climbing options
one set of monkey bars
multiple play panels
four spring toys
one play panel
The new playground will also include three new benches, one accessible picnic table, and a new pathway connecting to the playground.
February 2025
Online Survey
From January 6 to February 3, 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 92 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 2025.
Key Feedback Highlights
When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design C highest (41 per cent), followed by Playground Design A (39 per cent) and Playground Design B (20 per cent).
Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
Senior play structure for ages five to 12
Climbing structures
Belt swings
Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
Climbing structures
Belt swings
Senior play structure for ages five to 12
For seating around the playground:
76 per cent of respondents like benches
66 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple (63 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown and grey (22 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
Design A includes:
A swing set with:
Two belt swings
Two toddler swings
One accessible swing
A junior play structure for ages 18 months to five years old with:
One double slide
One climbing option
A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
Two curved slides
Four climbing options
One stepping bridge
Multiple play panels
One stand-up spinner toy
Playground Design B
Design B includes:
A swing set with:
Two belt swings
Two toddler swings
One accessible swing
A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
One set of monkey bars
One double slide
One honeycomb climber
One telescope and steering wheel
One wheel panel
A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
One double slide with waves
One six-foot slide
One wave climber
One climbing net
One loop ladder
One curved net bridge
One overhead ladder
One spiral stepping stone
Two spring toys
Playground Design C
Design C includes:
A swing set with:
Two belt swings
One toddler swing
One accessible swing
A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
One double slide
One wheel panel
A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
One straight slide
One spiral slide
Two climbing options
One set of monkey bars
Multiple play panels
Four spring toys
One play panel
About the Project
Highland Heights Park Playground is located along the west side of Castle Hill Drive.
The playground currently includes:
two swing sets with:
four swings for ages two to five
four swings for ages five and up
monkey bars
one dome climber
one medium slide
one teeter-totter
sand under all play areas
one bench
The playground will be redesigned using community feedback and is proposed to include:
playground equipment for ages two 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.
