Prairie Drive Park Playground Improvements

• Spring 2025: Community engagement
• Summer 2025: Detailed design and hire a construction team
• Fall 2025: Playground closes, construction starts
• Winter 2025: Construction complete, playground reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

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May 2025

Online Survey

From April 16 to May 21, 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 179 responses.

The design team will use this feedback to refine the final playground design. The final design will be available on this page in Fall 2025.

Key Feedback Highlights

• When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design A highest (83 per cent) followed by Playground Design B (69 per cent).
• Respondents shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
  • Climbing structures
  • Senior play structure for ages five to 12
  • Junior play structure for ages two to five
• Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
  • Play panels
  • Spinner toys (e.g. stand-up spinner, seated spinner)
  • Stand-alone toys (e.g. springer toy, teeter-totter)
• If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
  • Climbing structures
  • Belt swings
  • Senior play structure for ages five to 12
• For seating around the playground:
  • 36 per cent of respondents liked Muskoka chairs
  • 32 per cent of respondents liked armourstone seat walls
  • 24 per cent of respondents liked benches
• The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple (59 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown and grey (19 per cent) and neutral colours with one accent colour like white, black, and turquoise (14 per cent)

In-Person Pop-Up Event

On May 13, the project team collected community feedback on multiple design options for the playground improvements at a pop-up event in Prairie Drive Park. Approximately 35 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 Councillor and their staff member also attended the event.

The design team will use this feedback to refine the final playground design.

Key Feedback Highlights

• Participants preferred Playground Design A (16 dots) followed by Playground Design B (six dots).
• Participants shared that the three most important features to include in the new playground are:
  • Spiral slide
  • Belt swings
  • Spinner toys (e.g. stand-up spinner, seated spinner)
• Participants shared that the least important feature to include in the new playground was a straight slide
• For seating around the playground:
  • 11 participants liked picnic tables
  • Eight participants liked benches
  • Seven participants liked Muskoka chairs
  • Six participants liked armourstone seat walls
• The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange, and purple (seven dots) over neutral colours (three dots).
• Participants’ suggestions included improving the walking paths and access to the playground, and adding more climbing structures, swings, and a tall slide.

Playground Options

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

Playground Design A

Design A includes:

• One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
  • A curved slide
  • Two wavy slides side by side
  • A climbing wall with foot and handholds
  • A climbing tower
  • A small hammock for sitting or lounging
  • A steering wheel play feature that fosters imaginative play
• One senior climbing course for ages five to 12 with:
  • In-ground and suspended small stepping platforms
  • Balance beam
  • Overhead ladders/monkey bars
  • Bar bridges, a type of metal bar with climbing, hanging and perching activities
  • Spider web climber
• One swing set with:
  • Two belt swings
  • Two bucket swings.
  • One inclusive swing for individuals who do not use the standard belt swings or bucket swings
• One stand-alone play panel
• One teeter-totter
• One spinner

Playground Design B

Design B includes:

• One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
  • A double slide
  • A climbing tower
• One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
  • A wavy slide
  • Climbing tower
• One swing set with:
  • Two belt swings
  • One bucket swing
  • One inclusive swing for individuals who do not use the standard belt swings or bucket swings
• One individual springer toy
• One group springer toy
• One seated spinner

Prairie Drive Park Playground is located east of the parking lot.

The playground currently includes:

• Eight swings
• One metal slide, one curved metal slide and one metal double slide
• A play structure with climbing options
• Sand and gravel 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.