Hillside Park Playground Improvements

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

The City is improving the playground in Hillside 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.

  • October 2024: Community engagement
  • November 2024 to May 2025: Detailed design
  • Fall 2025: Construction

The timeline is subject to change.

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October 2024

Online Survey

From October 15 to October 29, 2024, 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 381 responses.

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

Key Feedback Highlights
  • When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design A highest (38 per cent) followed by Playground Design C (37 per cent) and Playground Design B (25 per cent).
  • Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
    • The senior play structure for ages five to 12
    • Climbing structures
    • The junior play structure for ages two to five
  • Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • Play panels
    • Stand-alone toys (e.g. imaginative play vehicle, play house, sensory sculptures, etc.)
    • Double slide
  • If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
    • Climbing structures
    • The senior play structure for ages five to 12
    • Motion toys (e.g. standing or sitting spinners, spring toys, teeter totters, etc.)
  • For seating around the playground:
    • 74 per cent of respondents like benches
    • 66 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
    • 39 per cent of respondents like seatwalls
  • The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange, and purple (46 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown, and grey (27 per cent), over neutral colours with one accent colour, like white, black, and turquoise (17 per cent) and no preference (10 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

Aerial view of Playground Design A looking northwest. From bottom left to upper right: senior play structure, junior play structure, existing rope climber, spinner seats, large play panel, and swings. Play features are further described following the image.

Design A includes:

  • A 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
    • Two climbing options
    • Three step pods
    • Two play panel
  • One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One wavy slide
    • One spiral slide
    • One angled slide
    • Four climbing options
    • Two overhead climbing options
    • One bridge
    • Three step pods
    • One pair of quiet seats
    • Four play panels
  • One ladybug spring toy
  • Two single seat spinner toys
  • One large play panel
  • Existing large rope climbing structure to be reinstalled
Playground Design B

Ground level view of Playground Design B looking north. From bottom left to upper right: three play panels, spring toy, combined junior and senior play structure, existing rope climber, swings, and group spinner. Play features are further described following the image.

Design B includes:

  • A 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
    • Two climbing options
    • One play panel
  • One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One straight slide
    • One wavy slide
    • Four climbing options
    • Two overhead climbing options
    • Two step pods
    • Two bridges
    • One hammock swing
  • One play house for ages two to five with:
    • One table and two seat benches
    • Four play panels
  • One butterfly spring toy
  • One group sitting spinner
  • Existing large rope climbing structure to be reinstalled
Playground Design C

Aerial view of Playground Design C looking northeast. From bottom left to upper right: junior play structure, spring toy, group spinner, existing rope climber, senior play structure, swings and play house. Play features are further described following the image.

Design C includes:

  • A 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
    • Two climbing options
    • One play panel
  • One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One straight slide
    • One wavy slide
    • Four climbing options
    • Two overhead climbing options
    • Two step pods
    • Two bridges
    • One hammock swing
  • One play house for ages two to five with:
    • One table and two seat benches
    • Four play panels
  • One butterfly spring toy
  • One group sitting spinner
  • Existing large rope climbing structure to be reinstalled

Hillside Park Playground is in the centre of the park.

The playground currently includes:

  • two swing sets with:
    • two swings for ages two to five
    • two swings for ages five and up
  • a large slide
  • a small slide
  • a large rope climber
  • a spring toy
  • 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
  • engineered wood fibre surfacing
  • upgraded seating
  • an accessible pathway from the sidewalk 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.