The City is improving the playground in The Elms 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.
Project Timeline
Summer 2025: Hire a design team
Fall 2025 to Winter 2026: Community engagement (online survey) and design development
Spring to Summer 2026: Detailed design
Fall 2026: Hire a construction team
Spring 2027: Construction starts and finishes, 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
May 2026
Online Survey
From May 11 to May 25, 2026, 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 191 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 to rank their playground design preference, respondents ranked Playground Design C highest (51 per cent) followed by Playground Design B (41 per cent) and Playground Design A (nine 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
junior play structure for ages two to five
climbing structures
Respondents shared that the three least important features to include in the new playground are:
stand-alone toys (e.g. spring toy)
play panels
stand-up spinner toys
If budget permits, the three features respondents would like more of in the improved playground are:
climbing structures
senior play structures for ages five to 12
spiral slide
For seating around the playground:
84 per cent of respondents like Metal tables with umbrella shade
59 per cent of respondents like City Standard Benches
34 per cent of respondents like Armour stones
The preferred colour scheme for the new playground was earthy colours, like green, brown, beige and grey, with a pop of bright colour (30 per cent) over a mix of bright warm colours and vibrant cool colours (26 percent), vibrant cool colours, like blue, turquoise and purple (26 per cent), and Bright warm colours, like yellow, orange and red (10 per cent).
Playground Options
All three designs:
Are AODA compliant. This means that people of varying abilities can play at the new playground
Have about the same number of play features like swings, slides, etc.
Have wood fibre safety surfacing
Cost the same amount.
Playground Design A
Design A includes:
a swing set with:
three belt swings
two toddler swings
one accessible swing
a junior play structure for ages two to five with:
one double slide
one climbing option
one wheel play panel
one transfer station
a senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
one curved slide
one double slide
two climbing options
one climbing wall option
one rope climbing option
two activity play panels
two roofs for shade
one transfer station
a climbing structure with:
two overhead climbing options
one trapeze bars
one reach panel
step pods
one freestanding activity play panel
one spinning toy
one spring rider
Playground Design B
Design B includes:
a swing set with:
three belt swings
two toddler swings
one accessible swing
a junior play wooden structure for ages two to five with:
one double slide
one climbing option
one telescope activity
one phone activity
one counter play panel
one roof for shade
one transfer station
a senior play wooden climbing structure for ages five to 12 with:
one wave slide
one double slide
two climbing options
one climbing wall option
one rope climbing option
one ladder
an overhead climbing option
a bridge climbing option
one roof for shade
one wheel activity
one hammock
one step
one transfer station
one freestanding activity play panel
one spinning toy
one spring rider
one rocking toy
Playground Design C
Design C includes:
a swing set with:
three belt swings
two toddler swings
one accessible swing
a junior play structure for ages two to five with:
a double slide
one climbing option
one overhead climbing option
a chinning bar
an activity play panel
a step pod
two roofs for shade
a transfer station
a senior play structure for ages five to 12 with:
one curved slide
one two-storey spiral slide
four climbing options
three overhead climbing options
two activity play panels
step pods
a transfer station
one spinning toy
one rocking toy
About the Project
The Elms Park Playground is located near Auburndale Court, along The Elms Park Trail, south of Berry Creek.
The playground currently includes:
three swing sets with:
two swings for ages two to five
four swings for ages five and up
one stand-alone small slide
one stand-alone medium slide
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
new seating
engineered wood fibre surfacing
an accessible pathway/ concrete ramp 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.
