October 10, 2023 — With the completion of a dramatically improved playground at Harry Turnbull Park, the City is celebrating the wrap up of a successful 2023 playground replacement program.
The $300,000 investment into the centrally located park, is one of several playground improvements delivered in 2023 as the City continues to invest in revitalizing and improving the community’s recreational spaces.
“The playgrounds in parks across our community are crucial pieces the recreational landscape, providing space for the children to enjoy the outdoors, engage in multiple modes of play, stay active and socialize,” said Facilities Manager Tom Burnard, adding, “investments like this ensure that these amenities not only continue to serve the youth of the community, but also evolve to suit changing needs.”
The new playground at the park features an obstacle-course style play structure, serving differing play needs and abilities. In addition to improvements at Harry Turnbull Park, the City invested $300,000 in 2023 to update playgrounds at Cardiff, Lansdowne, Agincourt, Retlaw, and Newton Parks.
The City prioritizes ongoing playground replacement based several factors, most notably the physical condition of the assets. Staff regularly inspect equipment in addition to quarterly third-party inspections. The physical condition of the equipment is balanced against the current amenity needs of the community in selecting playgrounds for replacement, prioritizing equipment at, or nearing, its end of life.