McNicoll Park Improvements

Review feedback from the online survey and in-person pop-up event in the Playground and Splash Pad Improvements, and Basketball Court Improvements sections.

 

The City is improving McNicoll Park with proposed upgrades to the playground, splash pad and basketball court. The playground improvements are 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.

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Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association of Public Participation Spectrum. This means we obtain and consider the community’s feedback and preferences to inform the final playground, splash pad and basketball design.

The existing playground and splash pad are being improved, with the designs shaped by community feedback.

Project Timeline

  • Spring to Summer 2025: Hire a design team
  • Summer 2025: Community Engagement Phase 1
  • Summer 2026: Community Engagement Phase 2
  • Fall 2026: Detailed design development
  • Winter 2027: Hire a construction team
  • Summer 2027: Construction starts, playground and splash pad close
  • Early 2028: Construction complete, playground and splash pad reopen

The timeline is subject to change.

Site Plan and Design Options

The new and improved playground and splash pad will remain in their current locations within the park. The improved areas will be approximately the same size as the existing ones, with enhanced features and upgraded designs.

Site plan for McNicoll Park, showing the separate splash pad and playground zones along the accessible pathways. The plan also shows the existing tree coverage, new accessible pathways connecting the playground and splash pad area to McNicoll Avenue, and seating areas. Features are numbered and correspond to the list after the image.

  1. New splash pad
  2. New playground with engineered wood fibre safety surfacing contained by a concrete curb
  3. New benches and shaded seating on concrete paving
  4. New asphalt walkway
  5. New concrete seat wall

Playground Design A

Option A playground shown from a wide aerial view, with connected junior and senior play areas, orange-and-lavender play structures, swings, spinners, spring riders, seating areas, pathways, and protective safety surfacing.

Option A playground shown from an elevated perspective, highlighting the junior play structure, swing areas, creative play panels, picnic tables, benches, and children playing across the protective surfacing.

Playground Design A includes:

  • two swing sets with:
    • four belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • one junior play structure for ages 18 months to five years, with:
    • one straight slide
    • one curved slide
    • one double slide
    • three climbers
    • one climbing wall
    • one hammock
    • one telescope play feature
    • one steering wheel play feature
    • two sensory play panels
    • one role play counter
    • shade roofs
  • one senior play structure for ages five to 12 years, with:
    • one spiral slide
    • one double slide
    • two climbers
    • one climbing wall
    • one vertical climbing ladder
    • one overhead loop ladder
    • one bridge
    • one telescope play feature
    • one steering wheel play feature
    • three game play panels
    • one role play counter
    • accessible transfer station
    • shade roofs
  • one course challenge circuit with:
    • balancing steps
    • one crab climber
    • one overhead loop ladder
  • standalone play features:
    • two spinners
    • two spring riders
    • one creative multi-play panel stand

Playground Design B

Option B playground shown from a wide rendered view, with blue-and-white play structures, safety surfacing, swings, climbers, sensory panels, and separate junior and senior play zones.

Rendering of playground design option B from a bird's eye view, showing both junior and senior play sections, with play structures, two swing sets and standalone play features.

Playground Design B includes:

  • two swing sets with:
    • four belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • one junior play structure for ages 18 months to five years, with:
    • one wave slide
    • one curved slide
    • two climbers
    • two sensory play panels
    • one role play counter
    • accessible transfer station
    • shade roofs
  • one senior play structure for ages five to 12 years, with:
    • one spiral slide
    • one double slide
    • three climbers
    • one overhead climber
    • one cliff edge climber
    • one set of crunch bars
    • balancing steps
    • two game play panels
    • one role play counter
    • accessible transfer station
    • shade roofs
  • standalone play features:
    • one rope-net climbing structure
    • three spinners
    • two spring riders
    • one sensory panel play house
    • one quiet zone

Playground Design C

Option C playground shown from an aerial view, with a Blue Imp senior tower structure, junior play structure, swing area, freestanding spinner, accessible fire engine, fire truck spring rider, and safety surfacing.

Option C playground shown from a wide ground-level view, featuring the junior play structure, activity panels, We-Spin spinner, fire engine play component, spring rider, and senior tower play area in the background.

Playground Design C includes:

  • one swing set with:
    • six belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • one junior play structure for ages 18 months to five years, with:
    • one double slide
    • two climbers
    • one pilot play panel
    • accessible transfer station
    • shade roofs
  • one senior play structure for ages five to 12 years, with:
    • one spiral slide
    • one wave slide
    • three climbers
    • two overhead climbers
    • stepping pods
    • pull-up bars
    • one spinner
    • five game play panels
    • accessible transfer station
    • shade roofs
  • standalone play features:
    • accessible activity play panel set
    • one group spinner
    • one vehicle play structure
    • one spring rider

Splash Pad Design A

Splash pad option A, Nature Themed, shown from a wide front view in a grassy park setting. Children play among green leaf and cattail spray features, red spray loops, ground jets, fountain and geyser sprays, and arched water streams, with benches, pathways, and trees.

Splash Pad Design A includes:

  • one water activator
  • three area drains
  • three spray loops
  • two focused spray jets
  • one spray fan
  • one bubbling geyser spray geyser
  • one ground-level fountain spray
  • two tunnel spray
  • one cattail vertical spray feature
  • one cattail twirling spray feature
  • one leaf spray feature
  • one flower spray feature

Splash Pad Design B

Splash pad option B, Modern Themed, shown from a wide front view in a grassy park setting. Children play among red spray loops, vertical fountain sprays, an orange overhead spray feature, yellow tube spray elements, and ground-level water effects.

Splash Pad Design B includes:

  • one water activator
  • three area drains
  • three spray loops
  • one overhead ring spray
  • four fountain spray
  • one upward gusher spray
  • one luna spray
  • two tubular spray
  • one water jelly feature

Project Updates

August 2026

Online Survey

From July 16 to August 3, feedback on design options for the playground and splash pad improvements 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 161 responses.

The design team will use this feedback to understand community preferences and develop the final playground and splash pad design.

Playground Design Feedback Highlights
  • Overall, 82 per cent of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the playground design options, 12 per cent felt neutral and six per cent were unsatisfied.
  • When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Design A highest (41 per cent), followed by Design C (34 per cent) and Design B (26 per cent).
  • Respondents shared their top three play features they liked from Playground Design A:
    • senior play structure (69 per cent)
    • swings (56 per cent)
    • course challenge circuit (52 per cent)
  • Respondents shared their top three play features they liked from Playground Design B:
    • senior play structure (60 per cent)
    • rope net climbing structure (58 per cent)
    • swings (44 per cent)
  • Respondents shared their top three play features they liked from Playground Design C:
    • senior play structure (70 per cent)
    • swings (53 per cent)
    • junior play structure (38 per cent)
Splash Pad Design Feedback Highlights
  • Overall, 82 per cent of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the splash pad design options, 11 per cent felt neutral and seven per cent were unsatisfied.
  • When asked to choose their preferred splash pad design, respondents preferred Design A (61 per cent) over Design B (39 per cent).
  • For seating around the playground and splash pad area:
    • 48 per cent of respondents like tables with umbrella shade
    • 26 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
    • 25 per cent of respondents like benches
  • Participants shared written feedback on how to make the new playground and splash pad area more welcoming and accessible for community members. Some common feedback and out-of-scope suggestions included:
    • inclusive and sensory play opportunities for all abilities
    • a shaded or sheltered seating area
    • outdoor fitness equipment
    • a dog-friendly drinking water fountain
    • a washroom and change room

July 2026

In-Person Pop-Up Event

On July 24, the project team collected community feedback on design options for the playground and splash pad improvements at a pop-up event in McNicoll Park. Approximately 62 community members attended the event. Participants shared their preferences with sticky dots and comments on sticky notes. Three members of the project team provided information, answered questions and captured additional comments.

The design team will use this feedback to understand community preferences and develop the final playground and splash pad design.

Key Feedback Highlights
  • When asked which playground design option they prefer, participants favoured Design A (23 dots), over Design B (seven dots) and Design C (two dots).
  • When asked to choose their preferred splash pad design, participants preferred Design A (19 dots) over Design B (nine dots).
  • For seating around the playground and splash pad area:
    • tables with shade received 15 dots
    • picnic tables received six dots
    • benches received two dots
  • Participants shared comments on sticky notes about the new playground and splash pad and design. Some common feedback and out-of-scope suggestions included:
    • provide additional interactive water play features
    • keep zip line play feature
    • avoid removing trees

June 2025

Online Survey

From June 16 to June 29, feedback on playground equipment preferences were collected in an online survey as part of Community Engagement Phase 1. 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 266 responses.

The design team will use this feedback to develop playground design options for further community feedback in late summer 2026.

Feedback Summary
  • When asked to select their favourite play features, the top five features selected were:
    • Belt swings
    • Climbers
    • Bucket swings
    • Imaginative play
    • Disc swing
  • The preferred playground structure type was one main play structure with many features (64 per cent) over many individual play features and no main structure (29 per cent).
  • Respondents shared that the five most important play features to include in the new playground were:
    • Climbing structures
    • A senior play structure for ages 5 to 12
    • Belt swings
    • A junior play structure for ages 2 to 5
    • Stand-alone toys (e.g. balance beams, tunnels, sensory sculptures, etc.)
  • Respondents shared that the five least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • Play panels
    • Group/accessible swing
    • Double slide
    • Stand alone toys
    • Straight slide
  • Respondents shared that the types of waterplay features they would prefer for the new splash pad are:
    • Mist tunnel
    • Overhead water spray
    • Overhead mist spray
    • Overhead multiple small jet spray
    • In ground nozzle with multiple jets
  • When asked to rank their preferred themes for the playground and splash pad design, the top three themes were:
    • Nature
    • Astronomy (outer space)
    • Transportation
  • For seating around the playground and splash pad:
    • 89 per cent of respondents like shaded umbrella tables
    • 80 per cent of respondents like benches
    • 72 per cent of respondents like picnic tables

The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple (66 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown and grey (16 per cent) or neutral colours with an accent colour (11 per cent).

Classroom Workshop

On June 11, 155 students from grades one to five at Hillmount Public School participated in a workshop to share ideas for the new playground as part of Community Engagement Phase 1. After a short presentation, students took part in an interactive activity where they built their own bingo cards using tiles that represented different playground features. The tiles chosen for their bingo cards represented the features they most wanted to see in the new playground. The number of tiles selected for each feature will help inform the future playground design.

Feedback Summary

Nature and planting:

  • Coniferous trees (168) and deciduous trees (173) were among the top elements selected by students, showing strong interest in shade and greenery.
  • Pollinator plants (122) and rock boulders (112) were also valued.

Popular play features:

  • Group spinners (134)
  • Tunnels (130)
  • Viewing tower (129)
  • Cozy dome (129)
  • Sand play (128)
  • Seesaw (128)

Additional play feature preferences:

  • Swing sets (117) were preferred over saucer swings (108).
  • Curved slides (110) were preferred over straight slides (98).
  • Among climbing elements, climbing nets (126) were highly rated, followed by curved bars (117) and monkey bars (114).
  • The senior play structure for ages five to 12 (117) was slightly more popular than the junior structure for ages two to five (111).
  • Other well-liked features included play panels (119), spring toys (116) and balancing steps (112).

Amenities and site features:

  • Benches (168) and picnic tables (129) were highly rated.

The basketball court, located on the west side of the park, north of the tennis courts, is being improved. It has reached the end of its service life cycle and requires resurfacing and upgrades to comply with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and meet International Basketball Federation (FIBA) standards.

The City will present two basketball court design options to the community for feedback through an online survey and an in-person pop-up event.

Project Timeline

  • Spring 2026: Hire a design and construction team
  • Summer 2026: Community Engagement
  • Fall 2026: Detailed design
  • Spring 2027: Construction starts, basketball court closes
  • Summer 2027: Construction complete, basketball court reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

Design Options

Basketball Court Design A

Site plan showing the layout of basketball court design option A. It features one full court and a half court attached to the west side of the full court. There is also a seat wall on the north side and additional seating near the access pathway. Features are numbered and correspond to the list after the image.

  1. Existing asphalt tennis courts
  2. Three-metre asphalt pedestrian walkway extension
  3. New full basketball court with acrylic surfacing
  4. New half basketball court with acrylic surfacing
  5. New armourstone seat wall
  6. New umbrella shade tables
  7. Enhanced park access
  8. New deciduous tree planting
  9. Existing asphalt pedestrian walkway

Basketball Court Design B

Site plan showing the layout of basketball court design option B. It features one full court with additional seating area with bleachers on the west side. There is also a seat wall on the north side. Features are numbered and correspond to the list after the image.

  1. Existing asphalt tennis courts
  2. Three-metre asphalt pedestrian walkway extension
  3. New full basketball court with acrylic surfacing
  4. New bleacher seating
  5. New armourstone seat wall
  6. New umbrella shade tables
  7. Enhanced park access
  8. Existing asphalt pedestrian walkway

Project Updates

August 2026

Online Survey

From July 16 to August 3, feedback on design options for the basketball court improvements 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 161 responses.

The design team will use this feedback to understand community preferences and develop the final basketball court design.

Key Feedback Highlights
  • Overall, 84 per cent of respondents were very satisfied or satisfied with the basketball court design options, 13 per cent felt neutral and six per cent were unsatisfied.
  • When asked to choose their preferred basketball court design, respondents preferred Design A with one full court and one half court (81 per cent), over Design B with one full court only (19 per cent).
  • Respondents shared their preferred colour scheme for the basketball court acrylic surfacing. The most to least preferred colour schemes were:
    • Dark blue outer edge, sky blue main court, red centres (40 per cent)
    • Light brown outer edge, red main court, black centres (31 per cent)
    • Yellow outer edge, green main court, orange centres (eight per cent)
    • Light purple outer edge, purple main court, yellow centres (three per cent)
  • For seating around the basketball court area:
    • 40 per cent of respondents like benches
    • 40 per cent of respondents like tables with umbrella shade
    • 20 per cent of respondents like armourstones
  • Participants shared written feedback on how to make the improved basketball area more welcoming and accessible for community members. Some common feedback and out-of-scope suggestions included:
    • resurfacing the adjacent tennis courts
    • adding a shaded or sheltered seating area
    • adding outdoor fitness equipment
    • providing additional pickleball courts
    • providing equipment storage


July 2026

In-Person Pop-Up Event

On July 24, the project team collected community feedback on design options for the basketball court improvements at a pop-up event in McNicoll Park. Approximately 62 community members attended the event. Participants shared their preferences with sticky dots and comments on sticky notes. Three members of the project team provided information, answered questions and captured additional comments.

The design team will use this feedback to understand community preferences and develop the final basketball court design.

Key Feedback Highlights
  • When asked to choose their preferred basketball court design, participants preferred Design A (22 dots) over Design B (nine dots).
  • Participants shared their preferred colour scheme for the basketball court acrylic surfacing. The most to least preferred colour schemes were:
    • dark blue outer edge, sky blue main court, red centres (18 dots)
    • yellow outer edge, green main court, orange centres (five dots)
    • light brown outer edge, red main court, black centres (five dots)
    • light purple outer edge, purple main court, yellow centres (five dots)
  • For seating around the basketball court area:
    • tables with shade received five dots
    • benches received five dots
    • armourstones received three dots
  • Participants shared comments on sticky notes about the new basketball design. Some common feedback and out-of-scope suggestions included:
    • lower basketball net for kids on the half court
    • avoid removing trees
    • resurface the adjacent tennis courts
McNicoll Park and the surrounding area showing existing park facilities and amenities. From north to south, the park includes a water bottle filling station, ping pong tables, a splash pad, a playground, an open sports field, a basketball court, and tennis courts. The playground, splash pad, and basketball court areas are outlined as part of the current park improvement project.
Project site map of McNicoll Park and the surrounding area. The playground, splash pad and basketball court areas are outlined as part of the park improvement project.
Date modified: September 4, 2026