Park Lawn Park Playground Improvements

Review feedback from the online survey and in-person pop-up event in the Project Updates section.

The City is improving the playground and adding a new pathway in Park Lawn Park. The playground improvements are part of an ongoing program to enhance playgrounds and play spaces across the city.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no text alternative available for some of the content on this site. If you require alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings, or any other content, please contact Joseph Merrett at 437-553-4297.

  • Summer 2024: Hire a design team
  • December 2024 to January 2025: Community engagement and design development
  • Winter 2025: Detailed design
  • Spring 2025: Hire a construction team
  • Summer 2025: Construction starts
  • Fall/Winter 2025: Construction complete

The timeline is subject to change.

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January 2025

Online Survey

From December 6, 2024, to January 10, 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 264 responses.

Key Feedback Highlights
  • When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design B highest (42 per cent) followed by Playground Design C (33 per cent) and Playground Design A (25 per cent).
  • Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
    • senior play structure for ages five to 12
    • climbing structures
    • junior play structure for ages two to five
  • Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • stand-alone toys (e.g. spring toys, talk tubes)
    • play panels
    • spinner toys
  • If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
    • climbing structures
    • senior play structure for ages five to 12
    • spiral slide
  • The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple (46 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown and grey (44 per cent).

In-Person Pop-Up Event

On January 8, the project team collected community feedback on design options for the playground improvements at a pop-up event at Park Lawn Junior Middle School. Approximately 25 community members participated in 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. Two staff members from the Councillor’s Office also attended the event.

Key Feedback Highlights
  • Participants preferred Playground Design B (seven dots) followed by Playground Design A (six) and Playground Design C (two).
  • Participants shared that the most important features to include in the new playground are:
    • senior play structure (seven dots)
    • spinner toys (six)
    • belt swings (four)
    • spiral slide (four)
  • Participants shared that the least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • double slide (three dots)
    • stand-alone toys (two)
    • play panels (two)
    • straight slide (two)
  • For seating around the playground:
    • seven participants liked games table
    • four participants liked benches
    • four participants liked picnic tables
    • one participant liked armour stones
  • The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was earthy colours like green, brown and grey (four dots) over bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple (three).
  • Participant suggestions included adding a shaded seating area (three comments), portable restrooms (three), more lighting (three) and native trees (two).
Playground Options

All three designs are Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliant, have the same amount of play features, and cost the same amount.

Playground Design A

An aerial view of Playground Design A looking to the northwest from the southeast. From the lower left to the upper right, it includes a play panel, a standalone climbing structure, senior play equipment, overhead monkey bar climber, accessible transfer station, swing set with; two belt swings, one toddler swing, one accessible swing, one basket/group swing , junior play structure, race car spring toy and a spinner toy.

Design A includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swing
    • One accessible swing
    • One basket/group swing
  • A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One curved slide
    • One double slide
    • One low hammock swing seat
    • One low climbing wall
    • One storefront play panel
  • A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One curved slide
    • One overhead monkey bar climber
    • Multiple climbing walls
    • One set of pull-up rings
    • One low hammock swing seat
  • One 15-post obstacle course climber with footholds for ages five to 12
  • One racecar spring toy
  • One multi-user stand-up spinner
  • One solo sit-down spinner
  • One freestanding play panel
Playground Design B

An aerial view of Playground Design B looking to the northwest from the southeast. From the lower left to the upper right, it includes a solo spring rider, senior play structure with an arch connection bridge, low storefront play panel talk tubes, rain sound feature, accessible transfer station, basket/group swing, swing set which includes; two belt swings, one toddler swing, one accessible swing, junior play structure.

Design B includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swing
    • One accessible swing
  • A standalone basket/group swing
  • A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • Multiple low climbing features
    • One crawl-thru panel
    • One upright climber
  • A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One spiral slide
    • One double slide
    • Multiple overhead climbers
    • One upright step climber
    • One storefront play panel
    • One low bench
    • One rain sound feature
  • One set of talk tubes
  • One seated spinner
  • One solo spring rider
  • One balance game play-post
Playground Design C

An aerial view of Playground Design C looking to the northwest from the southeast. From the lower left to the upper right, it includes senior play structure, basket/group swing, swing set which includes; two belt swings, one toddler swing and one accessible swing, solo spring rider, junior play structure and a multi-child upright net spinner.

Design C includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swing
    • One accessible swing
  • A standalone basket/group swing
  • A junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • One single slide
    • One low climber wall
    • One balance rope
    • One nature log steppers
    • Multiple play panels
    • One rain sound panel
  • A senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One curved slide
    • One low single slide
    • One climbing wall
    • One net climber
    • Overhead monkey bars
    • One tree branch climber
    • One balance beam
    • One rain sound panel
  • One multi-child upright net spinner
  • One solo spring rider
  • One clubhouse play panel
Site Plan

Map view of the improvements to Park Lawn Park playground and surrounding area. The playground will remain to the southwest of the outdoor pool and community centre with a new pathway that loops to the north and connects the playground to the existing stairs to the west and Park Lawn Road to the east. Various seating areas are located along the pathway.

The following features will be included in the playground and surrounding area:

  1. Playground in approximately the same location
  2. New seating areas
  3. New asphalt pathway/track
  4. New trees
  5. New seating around existing tree

The playground and pathway will be designed using community feedback.

Playground

The playground is located in the northeast area of the park and includes:

  • two swing sets with:
    • four swings for ages two to five
    • four swings for ages five and up
  • a small single slide
  • one spring toy
  • sand under all play areas

The redesigned playground is proposed to include:

  • playground equipment for ages five to 12
  • improved seating
  • engineered wood fibre surfacing

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.