Rowena Park Playground Improvements & New Basketball Court
Review feedback from the online survey in the Project Updates section.
The City is improving the playground at Rowena Park and adding a new basketball court. The playground upgrades are part of an ongoing program to enhance play spaces across the city.
The new court is planned for the park’s northeast area and responds to Parks and Recreation Facilities Plan, which identified a gap in access to basketball courts in Ward 16. Rowena Park was selected as an ideal location due to its transit accessibility, proximity to a high school and location within an area of higher equity needs and planned future growth.
Project Timeline
Summer 2025: Hire a design team
Fall 2025: Concept design
Winter 2026: Community engagement
Spring to Summer 2026: Detailed design and hire a construction team
Fall 2026: Construction starts, playground closes
Winter 2026: Construction complete, playground reopens
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Level of Engagement
This project has been classified as a Consult project based on the International Association for Public Participation Spectrum. This means we collect and consider public feedback on proposed design options to inform the development of a final playground design.
Project Updates
February 2026
Online Survey
From February 2 to February 23, feedback on the new playground and basketball courts layout options and 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 128 responses.
The design team will use this feedback to refine the final playground design. The final design will be available on this page in Summer 2026.
Key Feedback Highlights
When asked about their preference between the two playground and basketball court layout options, respondents preferred Layout Option B (48 per cent) over Layout Option A (43 per cent) with 10 per cent having no preference.
When asked to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design B highest (55 per cent) followed by Playground Design C (34 per cent) and Playground Design A (10 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
play panels
stand-up spinner toys
If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
climbing structures
group/accessible swing
senior play structure for ages five to 12
For seating around the playground:
82 per cent of respondents like benches
70 per cent of respondents like picnic tables
23 per cent of respondents like armour stones
The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was vibrant cool colours, like blue, turquoise and purple, etc. (30 per cent) over a mix of bright warm colours and vibrant cool colours. (41 per cent).
Participants also provided comments, including maintaining the green field as a multipurpose sports field, more picnic tables and shaded seating, improving safety for playground users near the basketball area, incorporating more accessible and sensory play features and additional swings.
Other out-of-scope comments were also recorded, such as adding a new splash pad, new fenced dog park, new tennis courts, washroom facility and more.
In-Person Pop-Up Event
On February 9, the project team collected community feedback on multiple design options for the playground improvements at a pop-up event in Broadlands Community Center. Approximately 30 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 Layout Option A (six dots) over Layout Option B (one dot).
Participants preferred Playground Design B (13 dots) followed by Playground Design C (five dots) and Playground Design A (one dot).
For seating around the playground:
four participants liked umbrella tables
three participants liked benches
three participants liked armour stones
The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was earthy colours like green, brown, and grey (two dots).
Layout Options
The project team developed two playground and basketball court layout options for community input.
Layout Option A
Existing pathway
Existing trees
Existing drinking fountain to remain
Junior play structure
Senior play structure
Swings
New basketball court
Benches with backrest
Benches without backrest
Shade trees with seating
Low berm
Layout Option B
Existing pathway
Existing trees
Existing drinking fountain to remain
Junior play structure
Senior play structure
Swings
New basketball court
Benches with backrest
Shade trees with seating
Low berm
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:
a junior play structure with:
accessible transfer station
one mini summit climber
one double slide
two accessible play panel
a senior play structure with:
transfer station
kite and cloud decorative roofs
one slide
one belt bridge
six different climbers
one colour splash play panel
multiple belt hammocks
one accessible play panel
one set of wobble pods
a swing set with:
two belt swing
one toddler swing
one accessible swing
Playground Design B
Design B includes:
a junior play structure with:
accessible transfer station
one leaves steering wheel
one cozy seat
one double slide
one straight slide
two honeycomb climber
one spider web climber
one measurement play panel
decorative polygon roof
a senior play structure with:
accessible transfer station
one telescope play feature
one marbles play panel
one cozy seat
one tall curved slide
one wave climber
one climbing wall
one stone crossing
one vertical ladder climber
one curved overhead loop ladder
one balance bridge
one set of spiral stepping stone
standalone play features:
one spring rider
one standing spinner
one tic-tac-toe panel
one texture play panel
a swing set with:
two belt swing
one toddler swing
one accessible swing
Playground Design C
Design C includes:
a junior play structure with:
accessible transfer platform
one maze play panel
one ludo game panel
one optical illusion play panel
one play table with seats
two climbers
one straight slide
a senior play structure with:
accessible transfer platform
decorative angled hoop roof
one climbing bridge
one tall, curved slide
one three-way climbing tower
one net climber
three different climbers
one curved monkey bars
one set of balancing steps
standalone play features:
one duo spinner
one counter panel
one tic-tac-toe panel
one spring rider
a swing set with:
two belt swing
one toddler swing
one accessible swing
About the Project
Rowena Park is located near the intersection of Ellesmere Road and Victoria Park Avenue. The playground is in the northwest area of the park and is divided into two sections by a pathway.
The playground currently includes:
two swing sets with:
two swings for ages two to five
two swings for ages five and up
one junior play structure with:
one double slide
two climbing options
one tunnel bridge
one playhouse
two play panels
one senior play structure with:
one curved slide
three overhead climbing options
four climbing options
one play panel
one seesaw
one talk tube set
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 from the sidewalk 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.
