Richmond Park Playground Improvements

From the week of May 4 to late July 2026, the playground will be closed for construction. Visit the Project Updates section for more information.

 

The City is improving the playground in Richmond 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.

  • Fall 2024: Community engagement (online survey)
  • Summer to Fall 2025: Detailed design and hire a construction team
  • Spring 2026: Construction starts
  • Summer 2026: Construction complete, playground reopens

The timeline is subject to change.

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May 2026

Construction Update

Construction for the new playground starts and is anticipated to continue until late July 2026. During this time the pathway between Whitley Castle Crescent and Percy Williams Junior Public School will also be closed for repaving.

The nearest playgrounds are located at Iroquois Park and Warren Park.

April 2026

Updated Final Playground Design

The final playground area layout was adjusted to improve the flow and functionality of the seating area and offer better connection options to the main walkway.

Final updated site plan showing the playground area with the play equipment set up, seating are, nearby trees and accessible pathways outlined.

Legend
  • playground and swings for ages two to 12
  • seating area with benches and a picnic table
  • accessible ramp
  • existing walkway
  • existing trees

Rendering of the final design for the new Richmond Park playground, featuring two main play structures and multiple climbing structures, a swing set, spring toy, stand-up spinner and play panels. They are shown in bright colours, like yellow, orange and purple.

The final playground design was determined using feedback from the community and the colours were updated to reflect community preferences. The new playground will be AODA compliant and will include the following play features:

  • a swing set with:
    • two belt swings
    • one toddler swing
    • one accessible swing
  • one junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • one double slide
    • one wavy slide
    • two climbing options
    • two play panels
  • one senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • one wavy slide
    • four climbing options
    • one play panel
  • one climbing obstacle course with:
    • five climbing options
    • four overhead climbing options
    • one hammock
  • one vehicle spring toy
  • one board balance toy
  • one spinner

The new playground area will also include three new benches and one picnic table.

February 2025

Final Playground Design

Plan view of the proposed playground area. The new area is a circular shape with a northeast connection to the main walkway. Three benches and one picnic table on concrete area to the north of the circle and the large area to the south is for play equipment.

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

  1. Accessible playground with engineered wood fiber safety surfacing, concrete ramp into play area, online survey selected play equipment and concrete curb
  2. Accessible concrete walkway
  3. Three benches on concrete surfacing
  4. One accessible picnic table on concrete surfacing

The final design for the new Richmond Park playground, which has been refined based on community feedback. It will be bright blue, yellow and green, and include the play features listed below.

The final playground design and layout were determined using feedback from the community. The new playground will be Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compliant and will include the following play features:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swing
    • One accessible swing
  • One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • One wavy slide
    • Two climbing options
    • Two play panels
  • One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One wavy slide
    • Four climbing options
    • One play panel
  • One climbing obstacle course with:
    • Five climbing options
    • Four overhead climbing options
    • One hammock
  • One vehicle spring toy
  • One board balance toy
  • One spinner

The new playground will also include an accessible walkway and seating space with three new benches and one picnic table.

December 2024

Online Survey

From November 25 to December 8, 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 115 responses.

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

Key Feedback Highlights
  • When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design A highest (49 per cent) followed by Playground Design C (31 per cent) and Playground Design B (20 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
    • belt swings
  • Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
    • play panels
    • stand-alone toys (e.g. imaginative play vehicle, play house, sensory sculptures, etc.)
    • double slide
  • 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
    • motion toys (e.g. standing or sitting spinners, spring toys, teeter totters, etc.)
  • For seating around the playground:
    • 29 per cent of respondents like seatwalls
    • 80 per cent of respondents like benches
    • 76 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
  • The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was bright colours, like yellow, orange, and purple (55 per cent) over earthy colours like green, brown, and grey (20 per cent), over neutral colours with one accent colour, like white, black, and turquoise (18 per cent) and no preference (seven per cent).
Playground Options

All three designs are 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 northeast. From top left to bottom right: large climbing course, junior play structure, spring toy, swings, spinner, senior play structure, and second spring toy. Play features are further described following the image.

Design A includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swing
    • One accessible swing
  • One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • One wavy slide
    • Two climbing options
    • Two play panels
  • One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One wavy slide
    • Four climbing options
    • One play panel
  • One climbing obstacle course with:
    • Five climbing options
    • Four overhead climbing options
    • One hammock
  • One vehicle spring toy
  • One board balance toy
  • One spinner
Playground Design B

Ground level view of Playground Design B looking southeast. From left to right: swings, junior play structure, spring toy, senior play structure, and spinner. Play features are further described following the image.

Design B includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • One toddler swing
    • One accessible swing
  • One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • One curved slide
    • Two climbing options
    • One hammock
    • Two play panels
  • One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One double slide
    • One curved slide
    • Four climbing options
    • One overhead climbing option
    • One rope bridge
    • Four play panels
  • One spinner
Playground Design C

Aerial view of Playground Design C looking northeast. From left to right: two spring toys, group spinner, junior play structure, monkey bars, senior play structure and swings. Play features are further described following the image.

Design C includes:

  • A swing set with:
    • Two belt swings
    • Two toddler swings
    • One accessible swing
  • One junior play structure for ages two to five with:
    • One double slide
    • Four climbing options
    • Two play panels
  • One senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
    • One straight slide
    • One wavy slide
    • Four climbing options
    • One bridge
    • Two step pods
    • One quiet seat
    • Four play panels
  • One overhead climber
  • Two spring toys
  • One spinner

Richmond Park Playground is located along the south side of Richmond Park Boulevard.

The playground currently includes:

  • one swing set with:
    • two swings for ages two to five
    • two swings for ages five and up
  • one medium size slide
  • one small size slide
  • one dome climber
  • two spring riders
  • parallel bars
  • sand under all play areas
  • three benches

The playground will be redesigned using community feedback and is proposed to include:

  • playground equipment for ages two to 12
  • upgraded 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.