North Park Improvements

The City is improving North Park with the help of community feedback. The improvements will be focused near the existing tennis courts and may include a new playground, outdoor fitness equipment, a gathering area with seating, wayfinding signs, line painting for games on the parking pad, tennis court resurfacing, water bottle filler and new tree plantings.

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  • Fall 2023 to Spring 2024: Community engagement
  • Summer 2023 to Fall 2024: Design development
  • Winter 2024: Hire a construction team
  • Spring 2025: Construction starts
  • Fall 2025: Construction complete

The timeline is subject to change.

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Level of Engagement

This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association of Public Participation Public Participation Spectrum. This means we obtain public feedback on existing analysis, alternatives, and/or proposals.

In 2021 and 2022, the project team worked with a community working group to discuss an overall vision for the park improvements.

A list of potential park improvements was developed in consultation with the community working group and jurisdictional authorities:

  • A new playground with engineered wood fibre surfacing
  • New fitness equipment
  • New community gathering area(s) and seating
  • New wayfinding signage at the Rustic entrance, at the new activity area and along the path
  • Re-pave existing tennis courts – new asphalt pavement, nets and line painting
  • Re-purpose the existing parking pad
  • Water bottle filling station
  • New tree plantings
  • Shade options
  • A bike rack
  • Regrading the existing driveway leading from main park path to the recreational area to facilitate a fully accessible access route

The playground will be relocated to the new recreation area due to flooding and accessibility issues at its current location and to mitigate additional staff and maintenance costs associated with maintaining two playgrounds at the park.

The full scope of improvements will be determined through the community engagement and design development process within the project budget, site constraints, and park operation requirements.

In this phase of the community engagement process, three design options for the new recreation area were presented to the community for feedback and revision.

The outcome of this phase is the selection of a preferred design for the recreation area, which will be shared with the community for feedback in Community Engagement Phase 3.

Design Options

Design A

Design Option A for the North Park Improvements includes landscape design that features simple shapes and lines. There are seating areas spread throughout the design, with a variety of seating options including benches, picnic tables, and seat walls. The existing parking pad at the north side of the improvements area has been replaced with a full basketball court with additional hoops on the sides of court. South from the basketball court is a fitness pod and new playground area. There is a large metal shade structure in the playground area which could shade several picnic tables. South of the playground area is a new water bottle filler and the repaved existing tennis courts.

  1. Setback from slope (10m)
  2. New accessible path
  3. New full basketball court with additional hoops on the side of the court
  4. New playground
  5. New fitness pod
  6. New seating
  7. New bike rings
  8. New water bottle filler
  9. New metal shade structure
  10. Tennis court upgrades including new asphalt, nets and line painting.

New trees are throughout the design.

Design B

The image shows design option B for the North Park Improvements. The landscape design features non-uniform, organic shapes and lines. The existing parking pad at the north side of the improvements area has been replaced with a fitness pod and an open green for passive recreation. West of the open green is a new water bottle filler. Moving south through the open green there is a central seating area featuring metal patio sets with shade umbrellas. There are also smaller seating options spread throughout the design. South of the seating area is a new playground and the repaved existing tennis courts.

  1. Setback from slope (10m)
  2. New accessible path
  3. New fitness pod
  4. New open green space
  5. New playground
  6. New upright logs and large decorative boulders
  7. New seating
  8. New gathering area
  9. New bike rack
  10. New water bottle filler
  11. New patio seating with shade umbrellas
  12. Tennis court upgrades including new asphalt, nets and line painting.

New trees are throughout the design.

Design C

Design Option C for the North Park Improvements includes landscape design that features angular shapes and straight lines. The existing parking pad at the north side of the improvements area has been replaced with a half basketball court with integrated ball hockey goal. The court edges feature sculptural concrete elements that can be used as ‘informal’ skateboard or rollersport features. South of the court is a fitness pod and central seating area that includes a concrete ping-pong table and water bottle filler. There is also a variety of seating options including benches, picnic tables, and concrete seatwalls. South and west of the central seating area is a new playground with a sandbox. South of the playground are the repaved existing tennis courts.

  1. Setback from slope (10m)
  2. New accessible path
  3. New half basketball court
  4. New ball hockey goal
  5. New ‘informal’ skateboard/roller-sport features
  6. New fitness pod
  7. New playground
  8. New sandbox
  9. New concrete ping pong table
  10. New seating
  11. New gathering area
  12. New bike rings
  13. New water bottle filler
  14. Tennis court upgrades including new asphalt, nets and line painting

New trees are throughout the design.

Community Engagement Meetings and Events

December 2023

Online Survey

From November 27 to December 17, an online survey collected feedback on the three proposed designs for the new recreation area. 83 people completed the survey.

Key feedback follows.

Overall, 43 per cent of respondents were very satisfied, 41 per cent were somewhat satisfied, six per cent were neutral, four per cent were somewhat unsatisfied and six per cent were very unsatisfied with the improvements coming to the park.

A majority of respondents liked the following primary features in Design A:

  • Type of seating (68 per cent), metal shade structure (65 per cent), location of water bottle filler (62 per cent), distribution of seating areas (64 per cent), landscape design style (56 per cent), location of fitness area (53 per cent) and the full basketball court (53 per cent).
  • 60 per cent thought there was a good balance of recreational amenities for different activities and age groups.

A majority of respondents liked the following primary features in Design B:

  • Open green space (63 per cent), individual tables with umbrellas (60 per cent), location of water bottle filler (57 per cent), decorative boulders and upright logs (56 per cent), location of fitness area (54 per cent), distribution of seating areas (54 per cent) and landscape design style (53 per cent).
  • 49 per cent thought there was a good balance of recreational amenities for different activities and age groups.

A majority of respondents liked the following primary features in Design C:

  • The location of the water bottle filler (68 per cent), the ping pong table (65 per cent), multi-sport court (64 per cent), the landscape design style (62 per cent), the location of the fitness area (56 per cent), the distribution of seating areas (64 per cent) and the informal skateboard/rollersport features (56 per cent).
  • 47 per cent liked the sand box.
  • 75 per cent thought there was a good balance of recreational amenities for different activities and age groups.

Respondents were asked to compare key features among the design options and share their preferences:

  • Landscape design style: 40 per cent preferred the landscape design style of Design B (emphasizing organic shapes and lines), 26 per cent preferred Design A (emphasizing simple shapes and lines) and 22 per cent preferred Design C (emphasizing angular shapes and lines).
  • Fitness pod location: 47 per cent preferred the fitness pod location in Design A and C (central position in the new recreation area) and 34 per cent preferred Design B (north end).
  • Water bottle filler location: 39 per cent preferred the water bottle filler location in Design C (central), 25 per cent preferred Design B (west side) and 16 per cent preferred Design C (between playground and tennis court).
  • Additional recreational amenities: 43 per cent preferred the half basketball court with integrated ball hockey goal and informal skateboard/rollersport features in Design C, 24 per cent preferred the open green for passive recreation in Design B and 22 per cent preferred the full basketball court with additional hoops on sides of court in Design A.
  • Shade Options: 39 per cent preferred the individual metal patio tables with umbrellas in Design B, 37 per cent preferred the large metal shade structure that covers several picnic tables in Design A and 17 per cent preferred the shade provided by trees only in Design C.

The types of features that were ranked as the most important to respondents were:

  • Seating areas for relaxing, gathering and eating (97 per cent)
  • Open green space for passive recreation (90 per cent)
  • Playground (82 per cent)
  • Tennis court upgrades (81 per cent)
  • Fitness area (80 per cent)

39 per cent of respondents preferred standard fitness equipment, 32 per cent preferred equipment with obstacle features and 30 per cent preferred equipment with climbing features.

The most important playground features were:

  • Swings (84 per cent)
  • Slides (81 per cent)
  • Climbing structures (81 per cent)
  • Senior play structure for ages 5 to 12 (76 per cent)
  • Junior play structure for ages 2 to 5 (71 per cent)
  • See-saw with two seats (70 per cent)
  • The preferred playground equipment style was nature-inspired junior and senior play structures with earthy colour schemes (50 per cent), followed by junior and senior play structures featuring slides, activity panels, stairs, platforms and other climbing features (29 per cent) and circuit-type junior and senior play structures with hanging elements and net climbing elements (12 per cent).
  • 55 per cent of respondents preferred earthy colours and 31 per cent preferred bright colours.

Respondents also provided suggestions for additional amenities, if there was available space and budget to accommodate them, including:

  • pickleball courts
  • table games and bocce
  • a community bulletin board
  • public art
  • a walking track

Additional out-of-scope and out-of-budget suggestions were provided, including a dog park, splash pad or swimming pool, soccer fields, baseball diamonds and a skatepark.

Common themes to make the park inclusive and welcoming for all included ensuring it is safe, maintaining natural spaces, plantings and trees and adding activities for people of all ages, particularly older adults (e.g., pickleball).

In-Person Public Meeting

On December 5, approximately 36 community members attended a public meeting at Amesbury Community Recreation Centre to provide feedback on three design options for the recreation area.

Download the meeting presentation.

Key feedback follows:

  • Participants liked the landscape design style with angular shapes and straight lines, the multi-sport court (basketball half court with integrated ball hockey goal) and the ping pong table, in Design C.
  • Participants disliked the sand box in Design C.
  • Participants disliked the landscape design style with simple shapes and lines, and the full basketball court with additional hoops on the sides of the court, in Design A.
  • Participants liked the individual patio tables with umbrellas in Design B.
  • Participants preferred standard fitness equipment with obstacle features over equipment with climbing features.
  • The highest ranked playground features were swings, slides, spinner toys for two or more children and see-saws with four seats.

Participants shared the following suggestions:

  • Add plantings to encourage insect habitats.
  • Add features for older adults.
  • Add signage to discourage use of the park after dark.
  • Provide a design that would encourage native plants and species, open space for yoga and picnics.
  • Improve park maintenance of grass and garbage.

Participants shared the following concerns:

  • The condition of the creek and maintenance of park grounds (trees, planting areas, grass etc.).
  • The relocation of the existing playground.

November 2023

Community Working Group Meeting

On November 20, a working group meeting took place at Amesbury Community Centre where members of the project team presented three design options for the recreation area to a community working group created by the local Councillor’s office.

Key feedback follows.

There was mixed feedback about the preferred design option and features.

Participants provided the following suggestions:

  • Include designs and features that could be adapted to varying accessibility levels and activities, such as basketball hoops and tennis nets that could be raised and lowered.
  • Include some of the features displayed in Option C (e.g., basketball half-court, skate features and ping-pong table).
  • Place the water bottle filler in a central location in the recreation area.
  • Include more standard fitness equipment which is more accessible and less climbing or obstacle equipment.
  • Some participants were concerned about relocating the existing playground, the lack of shade and the maintenance of the grounds in the park.

In this phase of the community engagement process, the City shared the preferred design with the community for feedback. When the preferred design is confirmed, the project will move into the detailed design phase, where the design team will finalize the design by working through the technical details and drawings for the construction contractor.

The outcome of this phase is a refined preferred design.

Preferred Design

The preferred design was developed using feedback in Community Engagement Phase 1 and 2. Key updates based on community feedback to date include:

  • A preference for a natural, earthy colour scheme for the new playground.
  • A preference for reusing the existing parking pad as a mixed-use sport court.
  • The inclusion of an open green lawn.
  • A preference for a central seating area with games tables, a concrete ping-pong table, and a water bottle filler.
  • Pickleball lines in addition to planned tennis court improvements.
  • A preference for a centrally located fitness area with standard fitness equipment.
  • The addition of a pollinator garden, a community bulletin board and two new accessible parking spots at the Rustic Road entrance.

A bird’s eye view of the area of improvements with main elements of the design indicated with numbers. The numbered areas, from north to south, include a multi-sport court, an open green lawn with a fitness area and central seating area to the east of the lawn, south of that a playground, and further south the tennis court with lines for both tennis and pickleball.

  1. Multi-sport court
  2. Fitness area
  3. Open green lawn
  4. Central seating area
  5. Playground
  6. Tennis court

A bird’s eye view of the north half of the improvements area, with both areas and features labeled. The numbered areas, from north to south, include the multi-sport court at the north end, then an open green lawn, with a fitness area to the east of the lawn. The numbered features to the north of the multi sport court include a pollinator garden and a picnic table shaded by trees. At the north and west edges of the multi sport court are concrete skate features, benches on the east edge, and a concrete seat wall and metal patio sets at the south edge. The multi-sport court includes one regular basketball hoop and two combination basketball/ ball hockey goals. The path moving south from the multi sport court features a bulletin board.

  1. Pollinator garden
  2. A picnic table. More picnic tables are located west of the open green lawn, and one is north of the multi-sport court.
  3. Skateboard features
  4. Bulletin board
  5. Benches (also located north of the open green lawn)
  6. Two metal patio tables with shade umbrellas
  7. A concrete seatwall 
  8. Multi-sport court
  9. Basketball hoop
  10. Basketball hoop with integrated ball hockey goal
  11. Open green lawn
  12. Fitness area
  13. New tree plantings

A bird’s eye view of the south half of the improvements area, with both areas and features labeled. The numbered areas, from north to south, include the open green lawn with a central seating area to the east. There are a few picnic tables to the west of the open green lawn. In the central seating area to the east of the open green lawn is a concrete ping pong table, games tables, a water bottle filler, a bike rack, and concrete seatwalls. To the south of the open green lawn is the playground. There are two metal patio sets at both the northeast and southwest corners of the playground area. There are also benches south of the playground area, between the playground and the tennis courts, which feature new line painting for both tennis and pickleball. New tree plantings are also indicated throughout the design.

  1. Ping pong table
  2. Central seating area with games tables
  3. Water bottle filler
  4. A concrete seatwall
  5. Bike rack
  6. Two metal patio tables with shade umbrellas
  7. Open green
  8. Picnic tables
  9. Playground
  10. Benches
  11. New tree plantings
  12. Tennis court with line painting for both tennis and pickleball

Two playground options were designed for the North Park recreation area and presented during Community Engagement Phase 3 for feedback.

Playground Option A

Front view of a senior play structure for ages five to 12, with earth-toned colour scheme and a forest playhouse appearance. One section of the structure has a central deck platform with a corkscrew climber; a shockwave climber; a fire pole; a double slide; a wood plank ladder; a periscope; and bump-up transfer decking for accessibility. The other section is a tall, columnar rope climber with a slide off-shoot. The two pieces of the senior structure are connected by a tilted ladder/ bridge.

A swing set with two traditional belt swings, two toddler bucket swings, and an accessible swing

Playground Option A Equipment

A collage of playground equipment in option a, including the following: a junior play structure for ages 18 months to five years with an earthtone colour scheme and a forest playhouse appearance, which includes a central deck platform, a double slide, a stepped pyramid climber, a play panel, and a play counter; a traditional metal tube seesaw being ridden by two children; a spring toy with curved, tubular construction with a single platform seat, mounted to a central spring; spinning play feature with a single, saddle shaped seat on a central post; a spinning play feature with 3 tall, twisting, vertical tubes extending from a platform base mounted on a central post, sized for multiple users; and multiple photos of children playing with a series of colourful ground level play panels featuring turning gears, a spinning colour wheel, a funhouse mirror, and kaleidoscopes.

  1. Junior play structure
  2. See-saw
  3. Spring toy
  4. Saddle spinner
  5. Multi-person stand-up spinner
  6. Play panels

Playground Option B

Front view of a large senior play structure for ages five to 12, with earth-toned colour scheme and a makeshift fort appearance. The structure includes several central deck platforms on multiple levels; a tower structure with a very tall, tube slide; a variety of climbers; ladders; poles; a double slide; a single slide; several play counters; talk tubes and bump-up transfer decking for accessibility.

A swing set with two traditional belt swings, two toddler bucket swings, and an accessible swing

Playground Option B Equipment

A collage of playground equipment in option b, including the following: a junior play structure for ages 18 months to five years, with an earthtone colour scheme and makeshift fort appearance. The structure includes a central deck platform, a double slide, a fire pole, a pole climber, a steering wheel feature, pod step climbers and bump-up transfer decking for accessibility; a see-saw with capacity for two children on either side; a riding toy in the shape of a ladybug that rocks back and forth on springs; photos of children playing with a series of colourful ground level play panels featuring tic-tac-toe cylinders, a periscope, turning gears and sign language primer.

  1. Junior play structure
  2. Team totter see-saw
  3. Ladybug spring toy
  4. Play panels

May 2024

Online Survey

From May 6 to 20, an online survey collected feedback from 79 community members on the preferred design for the new recreation area.

Feedback Summary

Overall, 34 per cent of respondents were very satisfied, 48 per cent were satisfied, 12 per cent were unsure, six per cent were somewhat satisfied and zero per cent were very unsatisfied with the improvements coming to the park.

45 per cent of respondents wrote additional feedback about the mixed-use sports court, open green lawn, central seating area, seating and shade, tennis court upgrades or fitness area. Key feedback focused on the following themes:

  • Positive comments regarding the need for open green space.
  • Comments asking to not include hostile architecture (design elements that prevent certain activities or uses) in the seating area.
  • Comments asking for seating that is accessible, shaded, and comfortable, with some comments requesting benches with backs.
  • Mixed views about combining tennis and pickleball courts:
    • Suggestions to reserve a part of the court for just pickleball instead of having both tennis and pickleball lines.
    • A suggestion to remove the pickleball linework from the tennis courts.
  • Comments about fitness area features:
    • Suggestion to include additional features in the fitness area likeas a vertical rope climb or calisthenic bar.
    • Two comments expressing that the cargo net feature in the fitness area was not preferred.

47 per cent of respondents preferred playground option B, 30 per cent preferred playground option A and 23 per cent had no preference.

Two respondents were concerned about the enclosed slide in the play area due to hygiene and safety and two respondents wanted a double swing added.

37 per cent of respondents provided additional feedback on how to make the recreation area welcoming and accessible for all, including:

  • Making the recreation area and the play surface accessible.
  • Adding a loop around the play area for children to ride bikes or scooters.
  • Keeping the natural, green character of the park.
  • Ensuring that there is enough seating.

Additional out-of-scope and out-of-budget suggestions were provided, including a dog park, splash pad, and washrooms.

There were several comments suggesting that a playground is not needed in the new recreation area because there is already an existing playground within the park. However, the existing playground is being relocated to the new recreation area due to flooding and accessibility issues at its current location and to mitigate additional staff and maintenance costs associated with maintaining two playgrounds at the park.

Community Working Group Meeting

On May 2, a working group meeting took place at Amesbury Community Centre where members of the project team presented the preferred design for the recreation area to a community working group created by the local Councillor’s office.

Feedback Summary

Overall, feedback about the preferred design and features was positive. Three participants preferred playground option B and one participated wanted the water bottle filler to include a dog bowl.