Review feedback from the online survey in the Project Updates section.
The City is improving the playground in Oak Street 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
Fall 2024: Community engagement
Winter/Spring 2025: Design development
Summer/Fall 2025: Community engagement
Fall/Winter 2025: Detailed design and hire a construction team
Fall 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
Winter 2026: Construction complete, playground reopens
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Project Updates
October 2025
Online Survey
From September 21 to October 5, 2025, 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 101 responses.
The design team will use this feedback to refine the final playground design.
Key Feedback Highlights
When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design B highest (37 per cent) followed by Playground Design A (35 per cent) and Playground Design C (28 per cent).
Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
climbing structures
group/accessible swings
rope climber
Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
play panels
quiet hideaways
climbable step platforms
For seating around the playground:
87 per cent of respondents liked both benches and picnic tables
five per cent of respondents liked benches only
five per cent of respondents had no preference
The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was leafy colours like red, orange, yellow and green (40per cent) over bright colours like blue, orange, purple, yellow and magenta (36 per cent), and neutral colours like grey or beige with a pop of bright colour like pink or blue (22 percent).
Playground Options
All three designs are AODA compliant, have the same amount of play features and cost the same amount.
Playground Design A
Design A includes:
one combined junior and senior play structure for ages 18 months to 12 years with:
double-lane slide
curved slide
balance-focused obstacle climber
circular coil climber
vertical climbing net
dinosaur-themed climber
suspended bridge element
wheel-shaped sensory play panel
tactile and auditory panel
rotating play panel
swaying platform
decorative floating roof
dragonfly-themed roof
one ground-level activity hub for ages 18 months to 12 years with:
a low table with integrated seats
spiral puzzle panel with sensory elements
word search panel for educational play
market-themed roleplay storefront
a calming auditory feature activated by touch
marble maze play panel
decorative cloud roof
one overhead climber structure for ages five to 12 with:
rotating overhead element that spins
ladder climber with uniquely shaped bars.
accessible swinging bar
standalone play features:
bowl-shaped seated spinner
caterpillar spring rider
two-way bouncing teeter-totter
low-profile spinning seat
one swing set with:
two belt swings
one toddler swing
accessible swing bay
Playground Design B
Design B includes:
one combined junior and senior play structure for ages 18 months to 12 years with:
tall straight slide
double-lane slide
honeycomb climber
wave climber
nature-themed climbing wall
cable bridge
accessibility transfer platform
small platform steps
leaf steering wheel play panel
non-lensed telescope
multi-texture tactile sensory panel
marble maze play panel
mushroom game counter
standalone play features:
low-swinging hammock
tall climbing tripod network.
compact spinner for single play
larger spinner for group play
one creative activity hub with:
rotating and tactile play panels
roleplaying elements for creative play
one swing set with:
two belt swings
one toddler swing
one accessible swing
Playground Design C
Design C includes:
one combined junior and senior play structure for ages 18 months to 12 years with:
straight slide
spiral slide
edge climber
twister climber
spiral climber
stepping pods climber
accessibility transfer platforms
enclosed climbing bars with a ring element
mini pod toadstool
mini rotating overhead spinner
counter play panel
maze puzzle play panel
fun seat and table for two
additional seating elements and rest area
musical and sensory play elements:
spin chimes musical play panel
percussive musical play feature
tactile wrinkle wall panels
sensory ring-shaped play feature
standalone play feature:
duo spinner
one swing set with:
two belt swings
one toddler swing
one accessible swing
September 2025
In-Person Pop-Up Event
On September 23, the project team collected community feedback on multiple design options for the playground improvements at a pop-up event in Oak Street Park. Approximately 62 community members attended the event. Participants shared their preferences with sticky dots and comments on sticky notes. Two members of the project team provided information, answered questions and captured additional comments.
The design team will use this feedback to refine the final playground design.
Key Feedback Highlights
Participants preferred Playground Design A (24 dots) followed by Playground Design B (20 dots) and Playground Design C (18 dots).
For seating around the playground:
30 participants liked both benches and picnic tables
two participants liked picnic tables only
The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours like blue, orange, purple, yellow and magenta (24 dots), over leafy colours like red, orange, yellow and green (nine dots) and neutral colours like grey or beige with a pop of bright colour like pink or blue (five dots).
Participants comments included more thoughtful lighting placement, more grass coverage surrounding the playground area, and better playground maintenance.
November 2024
Online Survey
From October 22 to November 20, feedback on multiple playground design options was collected in an online survey. The survey was promoted through paid social media ads, the local Councillor’s office, on-site signage, and on this page. The survey received a total of 102 responses.
Key Feedback
Participants preferred one main play structure with many play features attached (63 per cent) over many separate play features without a main play structure (24 per cent).
Participants shared that the most important features to include in the new playground are:
climbing structure
belt swings
spiral slide
Participants shared that the least important features to include in the new playground are:
play panels
quiet hideaways
stand-up spinner toys
For amenities around the playground:
84 per cent would like more seating areas and options
75 per cent would like more garbage and recycling bins
55 per cent would like more stroller parking
50 per cent would like more bicycling parking
Comments included suggestions to:
add a rubber play surface, fencing around the playground and more waste receptacles
animate or program the playground area
improve pathway access to the playground
Suggestions that are beyond the scope of this project included a dog off-leash area, a fitness area and a water feature.
Community Pop-up Event
On October 30, the project team collected community feedback on the design options for the playground improvements at a pop-up event inside Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre near Oak Street Park. Approximately 68 community members participated in the event and shared their preferences with sticky dots and comments on sticky notes. Two members of the project team provided information, answered questions and captured additional comments. The local Councillor and a staff member were also in attendance.
Key Feedback
Participants preferred one main structure with many play features (50 per cent) over many separate play features without a main structure (21 per cent).
Participants shared the five most important features to include in the new playground are:
climbing structure (34 per cent)
belt swings (29 per cent)
spiral slide (28 per cent)
monkey bars (28 per cent)
rope climber (25 per cent)
Participants shared the five least popular features to include in the new playground are:
toddler swings (one per cent)
stand-alone toys (one per cent)
play panel (three per cent)
straight slide (four per cent)
stand-up spinner toys (seven per cent)
For seating around the playground:
16 per cent of participants liked armour stones
15 per cent of participants liked Muskoka chairs
12 per cent of participants liked game tables
nine per cent of participants liked picnic tables
seven per cent of participants liked benches
Comments included suggestions to have separate junior and senior playground and shaded umbrellas.
Suggestions that are beyond the scope of this project included a trampoline, a balance beam, a castle structure, a zip line, a tree house, a group swing, a rope step climber and big slides.
About the Project
Oak Street Park Playground is located at the east side of the park.
The playground currently includes:
two toddler swings
one spring rider
one spiral slide and one double slide
a play structure with climbing options
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
additional seating
rubber safety 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.
