Oak Street Park Playground Improvements

• Fall 2024: Community engagement
• Winter/Spring 2025: Design development
• Summer 2025: Community engagement
• Fall/Winter 2025: Detailed design and hire a construction team
• Early Spring 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
• Late summer 2026: Construction complete, playground opens 

The timeline is subject to change.

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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.

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
• engineered wood fibre 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.