Playground Replacements & Restorations

Update on Playground Replacements - July 15, 2021

The Request for Proposals (RFP) for the the design, site preparation, supply and installation of playground equipment and safety surfacing has been issued and closes on July 21, 2021. The tremendous feedback received from residents has helped shape this RFP and determine the styles and themes/features that will be installed.

As listed in the Lifecycle on the right of this page, the contract is expected to be awarded in mid-August, with construction expected to begin in mid/late September. The completion of this phase of the playground replacements is expected to be completed in the Spring of 2022.

Update on Playground Replacements - June 17, 2021

An RFP will be issued shortly for the purchasing of new playground features for the following parks, as they scored the highest from the feedback received::

• Little Lake Park
• Pete Pettersen Park
• Bayview Park

All feedback has been taken into consideration and the themes/features requested for each location in the Tender are based on feedback provided. Thank you, once again, to all of you who participated!

Update on Playground Restorations

The Town of Midland Operations Department are hard at work restoring park playgrounds that passed safety inspection but require upgrading.

Below there is a new engagement tool titled Playground Restorations, and under that tool we will provide updates on the restoration work as completed. Please have a look and feel free to provide comments.

The first park playground restoration completed is Gawley Park. Check out the before, during, and after photos below!

Here is the current list of work being done/planned:

1. Quota Park (work currently underway)
2. Griffin Park (work currently underway)
3. Bob Merkley
4. Mac McAllen
5. Harbourside Park
6. Little Lake West
7. Little Lake East
8. Cook Drive Park

Engagement Update - March 30, 2021

Many of the Towns playgrounds no longer meet regulations and are due to be replaced. As a result, the Town of Midland would like feedback from residents as to how they think the Town should approach replacing playgrounds.

Between carry forwards from previous budgets and the 2021 capital budget, the Town has $500,000 to replace various playground equipment.

Staff have recommended the following playgrounds in order of priority:

• Little Lake Park East Playground
• Pete Pettersen Park Playground
• Bayview Park Playground
• Tiffin Park Playground

Multiple playground vendors were contacted to provide informal proposals for the above playgrounds given our budget. The following pages will show some of the proposed renderings and prices so you have a better idea of what playground equipment costs.

Please keep in mind all colours and themes can be adjusted, these are just preliminary proposals to see what we may be able to afford given the budget. Vendors were asked to consider accessibility as well as both age groups of 18 months-5 years of age, and 5 years-12 years of age. This is why you may see a junior and senior structure in each proposal.

Inclusive Playgrounds

The term inclusive play refers to the usability of the playground by all children, no matter what their physical, social or emotional ability is. In recent years, playgrounds catered exclusively to able-bodied children, aspects catering to physically disabled children have been incorporated in more recent years. The most recent update to this approach is to not only encourage physical play but to include sensory play for children of all physical, social and emotional abilities. Sensory play includes visual, tactile and auditory aspects that allow children of all emotional and social abilities to engage in play and develop new skills while interacting with children of differing abilities if they choose to.

We want to hear from you! Please browse the style and theme proposals for each park below first, and then take our Park Playground Replacement Survey (also available below). The survey closed on Friday, April 16, 2021.

Thank you for your participation. You're helping us build inclusive playgrounds for residents to enjoy for years to come!