Leslie Grove Park Playground Improvements

The City is improving the playground in Leslie Grove 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.

  • Summer 2024: Pre-engagement
  • Fall 2024: Hire a design team
  • Winter to Summer 2025: Community engagement
  • Summer 2025 to Fall 2025: Detailed design of preferred plan
  • Winter 2026: Hire a construction team
  • Fall 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
  • Spring 2027: Construction complete, playground reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

Final Park Improvement Design

The final preferred design was developed and refined based on community feedback collected in the Community Engagement Phase. The proposed design option ‘Leaves’ combines Park Layout Option A and Playground Design Option A, which was the most preferred choice and has been selected to move forward as the final design.

The final design includes:

  • New benches have been added to the paved area between the playground and waterplay area.
  • The water play area includes a new mini-splashpad that has a variety of sprays coming from the textured-concrete surface.
  • The new trail loop around the north open field has been narrowed and pushed further out to maximize the open lawn area, while the leg of the trail behind the playground on the west side has been removed to protect trees.
  • New concrete paving and curb replaces the inter-locking paving on the pathway to Jones Ave and on the path/driveway at Queen St. E.

Site plan of final preferred park layout design, showing the Leaves design. Key park features, including pathways, playground location, wading pool and mini splash pad, seating areas, open lawn areas and other elements, are labelled in the legend.

  1. New granular/soft surface walking loop
  2. New restored sod area
  3. New benches
  4. New sand play area
  5. New accessible path / clear zone
  6. New concrete paving for existing pathways & driveway
  7. New junior playground (rubber safety surface)
  8. New senior playground with (rubber safety surface)
  9. New Splash pad
  10. Existing seatwall
  11. Existing wading pool
  12. Existing seatwall with new openings
  13. Existing pathway
  14. Existing drinking fountain
  15. Existing memorial trees
  16. Existing gallery/washroom
  17. Existing open lawn for flexible community use

Final Playground Design

The final playground layout was refined based on feedback from the community and stakeholders to include more slides, monkey bars, play equipment for younger users and imaginative play.

Coloured plan of play area and equipment layout for the Leaves concept. Key playground features, including seating areas, a sand play area, various types of swings, slides, climbing and net structures are labelled in the legend.

  1. Benches with backrest
  2. Sand play area
  3. Discovery table and wheel
  4. Leaf wobble board
  5. Tot swings with accessible seat
  6. Leaf climber
  7. Junior tower and slide
  8. Junior form round large
  9. Log jam
  10. Inclined monkey bars
  11. Log tangle
  12. Saucer swing
  13. Belt swings

The final playground design includes:

  • Junior play features repositioned closer to the sandpit and waterplay areas.
  • Senior play features repositioned closer to the washroom/art gallery building at Queen St. E.
  • The north end of the playground includes a seating area with benches (#1), the sand play area (#2), and a Discovery Table and Wheel (#3)
  • The number of swings has increased to include two junior swings and one accessible swing (#5), a saucer swing (#12) and two belt swings (#13).
  • The junior area includes Leaf Wobble Board (#4), the Leaf Climber (#6), a Junior Tower and Slide (#7), and a Junior Form Round Large (#8)
  • Play structures in senior area include the Log Jam (#9), inclined Monkey Bars (#10) and the Log Tangle (#11)
  • The rubber safety surface has a natural palette with shades of green, yellow and brown to reflect the “Leaves” design.
  • Most of the play equipment is made of wood.

January 2026

The final preferred design for the new playground and park improvements is posted on this page. Visit the Design section for more information.

June 2025

Proposed Design Options

Park Layout Design Option A – Leaves

Site plan of the proposed park layout Design Option A, showing the Leaves design. Key park features, including pathways, playground location, wading pool and mini splash pad location, seating areas, open lawn areas and other elements, are labelled in the legend.

  1. New granular/soft surface walking loop
  2. New sodded/asphalt mound area
  3. New benches with backrest
  4. New sand play area with water tap
  5. New accessible path/clear zone
  6. New improvements to existing pathways & driveways
  7. New junior playground with rubber safety surface
  8. New senior playground with rubber safety surface
  9. New splash pad
  10. Existing seatwall at wading pool
  11. Existing Wading Pool
  12. Existing seatwall with new openings
  13. Existing pathway
  14. Existing light pole
  15. Existing drinking fountain

Playground Design Option A

Site plan of the proposed playground Design Option A, showing the Leaves design. Key play features, new rubber safety surface, new mini splash pad location, pathways, existing park amenities and new playground equipment are labelled in the legend.

  1. Benches with backrest
  2. Sand play area with water tap
  3. Belt swings
  4. Traverse rings
  5. Saucer swing
  6. Log jam
  7. Slide platform
  8. Leaf Wobble Board
  9. Tot swings with accessible seat
  10. Large pine structure
  11. Dual leaf climber
  12. Accessible asphalt pathway
  13. Splash pad
  14. Existing wading pool
  15. Existing sodded area

Park Layout Design Option B – Rings

Site plan of the proposed park layout Design Option B, showing the Rings design. Key park features, including pathways, playground location, wading pool and mini splash pad location, seating areas, open lawn areas, and other elements, are labelled in the legend.

  1. New granular/soft surface walking loop
  2. New sodded/asphalt mound area
  3. New benches with backrest
  4. New sand play area with water tap
  5. New accessible path/clear zone
  6. New improvements to existing pathways & driveways
  7. New senior playground with rubber safety surface
  8. New junior playground with rubber safety surface
  9. New splash pad
  10. Existing seatwall
  11. Existing wading pool
  12. Existing seatwall with new openings
  13. Existing pathway
  14. Existing light pole
  15. Existing drinking fountain

Playground Design Option B

Site plan of the proposed playground Design Option B, showing the Rings design. . Key play features, new rubber safety surface, new mini splash pad location, pathways, existing park amenities and new playground equipment are labelled in the legend.

  1. Benches with backrest
  2. Sand play area with water tap
  3. Belt swings
  4. Saucer rings
  5. Leaf wobble board
  6. Log triangle
  7. Log pile
  8. Dual leaf climber
  9. Tot swings with accessible seat
  10. Large round form
  11. Accessible asphalt pathway
  12. Splash pad
  13. Existing wading pool
  14. Existing sodded area

In-person Pop-up Event

On June 13, approximately 45 community members participated in a pop-up event at Leslie Grove Park to provide feedback on the park improvements. Participants shared their preferences for the park layout design and playground design options on display boards, using sticky dots to select their top choices and sticky notes to write additional comments.

Photo taken at the pop-up event showing participants viewing the proposed design options on display boards at Leslie Grove Park.

Feedback Summary

Participants were asked to vote and rate their overall level of satisfaction with the two proposed design options:

  • 73 per cent were very satisfied
  • 13 per cent were neutral
  • 13 per cent were unsatisfied

Participants were asked to choose their preferred park layout and playground design option:

  • 86 per cent preferred the Leaves design option
  • 14 per cent preferred the Rings design option

Participants were asked to vote and rate their level of satisfaction with the proposed play features to be included at the playground:

  • 75 per cent were very satisfied
  • 17 per cent were neutral
  • Eight per cent were unsatisfied

When asked to choose their favourite senior and junior playground equipment that is unique to each playground design option, the top three preferred options were:

  • Log triangle
  • Log jam
  • Large round form

When asked to choose which common playground equipment they favour among both playground design options, the top three preferred options were:

  • Toddler swings with accessible seats
  • Belt swings
  • Saucer swings

Participants were asked to vote and rate their level of satisfaction with the proposed splashpad water play element designs:

  • 91 per cent were very satisfied
  • nine per cent were neutral

When asked to choose their favourite splash pad features to include in the new splash pad area, the top three preferred options were:

  • Triple mist
  • Water crown
  • Anyway spray

Participants were invited to share additional comments on sticky notes. Common feedback included:

  • More play equipment, such as different types of slides, monkey bars, playhouse structures, and accessible swings.
  • More junior equipment for younger children.

More shade and seating areas, including benches and tables.

Virtual Public Meeting

On June 5, approximately 20 community members participated in an online public meeting hosted by local Councillor and supported by City staff.

Participants provided feedback on the proposed park layout, playground design and new splash pad water play elements, using a virtual poll to vote for their preferred design options and elements.

Overall, 92 per cent of participants were satisfied with the proposed improvements and design options presented at the meeting.

On June 5, approximately 20 community members participated in an online public meeting hosted by local Councillor and supported by City staff.

Participants provided feedback on the proposed park layout, playground design and new splash pad water play elements, using a virtual poll to vote for their preferred design options and elements.

Overall, 92 per cent of participants were satisfied with the proposed improvements and design options presented at the meeting.

Feedback Summary

Participants were asked to choose their preferred park layout and playground design option through the virtual poll:

  • 83 per cent preferred the Leaves design option
  • 17 per cent preferred the Rings design option

When asked to rate their favourite senior and junior playground equipment that is unique to each playground design concept, the top three preferred options were:

  • Log Jam
  • Slide platform
  • Transverse rings

When asked to choose their favourite splash pad features to include in the new splash pad area, the top three preferred options were:

  • Triple mist
  • Water crown
  • Anyway spray

Participants also provided additional comments and feedback, including:

  • Add game tables and keep the ping-pong table
  • Add seating options under shaded areas
  • More play equipment, such as belt swings, slide and monkey bars
  • More trees along the pathways
  • More welcoming and accessible seating options
  • Have a specific area for donated toys so the pathways stay clear

June and July 2024

Public Meeting and In-person Pop-up event

On June 26, over 30 community members attended a pre-engagement public meeting hosted by the local Councillor’s office, with support from City staff. An in-person pop-up event was also held on July 18 at Leslie Grove Park, where the project team engaged with over 100 community members.

At both engagement activities, participants learned about the project and provided feedback on the proposed project scope for the new playground and additional park improvements.

Feedback Summary

Community members shared their insight and ideas for the new playground and overall park improvements. Some common themes from the community feedback included:

Playground area and new play features

  • Strong interest in play structures for older children (ages five to 12) and all ages
  • High demand for climbing elements such as rock walls, net and wooden climbers
  • Swings were identified as a popular play feature, with a variety of swing types preferred
  • Rubber surfacing was favoured over sand, with interest in a designated sandbox area
  • Desire for nature-inspired, imaginative, interactive and active play features
  • Interest in fencing around the playground for safety
  • Inspiration drawn from well-known playgrounds in other City of Toronto Parks
  • Request for more seating, including picnic tables and benches
  • Concerns about congested pathways due to strollers, toys and sand migration

    Wading pool and new splash pad area

    • Strong support for adding a new splash pad
    • Some interest in retaining the existing wading pool
    • Suggestions for off-season and alternate uses such as tai chi and skateboarding

    Open field and winter skating area

    • Desire for more picnic tables and amenities
    • Interests in fitness and exercise features such as workout stations and walking trials
    • Support for both active recreation and passive use
    • Operational concerns related to drainage and litter

    Northeast Forest Grove

    • Requests for improved access control at park entrances
    • Concerns about fencing gaps along Jones Avenue
    • Interests in retaining existing amenities, such as ping-pong tables
    • Interests in adding a fenced off-leash dog area

    Southeast Forest Grove

    • Interest in learning about the history of the trees and creating a tree inventory

    Queen Street entrance area

    • Need for improved lighting
    • Concerns about washroom cleanliness, safety and year-round access
    • Interest in public art or murals on the washroom building

    Coady Avenue Annex

    • Requests for better lighting and improved pathways
    • Improve clarity and safety where pedestrian and vehicle circulation overlap near the washroom entrance area

    Park-wide feedback

    • Concerns about park maintenance, garbage and cleanliness
    • Interest in more community events at the park, such as movie nights
    • Requests for additional shaded areas, planting and lighting
    • Some interests in community gardens and outdoor learning areas

    Leslie Grove Park Playground currently includes:

    • two swing sets with:
      • four swings for ages two to five
      • two swings for ages five and up
    • a senior multi-level climbing structure with:
      • three slides
      • monkey bars
      • a ramp-ladder
    • a junior climbing structure with a small slide
    • a tetter-totter
    • spring-toys
    • sand under all play areas

    The playground will be redesigned using community feedback and is proposed to include:

    • playground equipment for ages two to 12
    • additional seating
    • rubber 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 focus on the playground area, with minor enhancements proposed for:

    • the existing wading pool
    • park pathways
    • other areas around the park