The Moody Park playground is now off-limits, but when it reopens it will feature some creative offerings for kids.
The city has budgeted $952,000 for the design and construction of a new playground/spray park at Moody Park.
Dean Gibson, the city’s director of parks, culture and recreation, said city crews are in the process of removing the old playground and water-play features in preparation for the new construction. Pea gravel is being removed from the site and will be reused at other park sites and in various off-leash dog areas in the city.
When the playground reopens in the spring, it will include some of the old standbys that have been freshened up, such as the tires and swing seats that will be attached to new frames.
Gibson said there will also be new additions such as a large “nest” swing that can accommodate four to five children at one time and four toddler (bucket-style) swings. The plan also includes numerous climbing opportunities such as networks of poles, ropes, and platforms.
According to Gibson, the community has been very involved in determining the design of the new playground and has taken part in numerous events at the park since July 2014 and in online surveys and feedback forms.
“The opportunity to manipulate water through the use of pumps, switch gates and weirs was the most valued play feature,” he said.
Slides were community members’ second-most favoured play feature for the playground. They also expressed support for areas for infant and toddler play (especially bucket style swings), climbing features (including the rotating net climber and features that incorporate wood).
Another common theme, said Gibson, was a desire to see seating integrated with the play spaces. He said the plan reflects what staff has heard from the community from the outset of the design process: that the playground/spray park is the social heart of Moody Park, and functions as the backyard of the community.
“Guided by the range of ages and abilities of the community that the park serves, the new playground will incorporate opportunities for all users,” he said.
Gibson said the playground will include a diversity of play opportunities for little ones, including a ground-level water channel and water jets. The playground will also feature natural play areas with sand, a group swing, bucket-style toddler swings, a small slide – and rubberized play surfacing for a softer landing.
The city recently hired a general contractor for the new playground and staff will be meeting with them in the next week or two to confirm the final construction schedule. The city anticipates a 20-week construction project, but weather could impact the schedule.
