Kids will be climbing at Ron Brent Park this September on a new playground currently under construction.
With a similar footprint to that of the popular playground at Duchess Park, it has components for all age groups including a large play climbing structure for five- to 12-year-olds as well as an 'adventure toddler' addition, according to city spokesperson Mike Kellett.
However, the park does differ from Duchess Park in that it is a venture between Ron Brent elementary school and School District 57, while also fulfilling a community request of a new park at the location.
As part of the consultation process that was undertaken with the neighbourhood, the city sold a section of Ron Brent Park to allow for the construction of the Riverbend Seniors Complex.
"This is different from Duchess Park which is a city park but it is part of a promise the city made to have an updated park after receiving feedback from nearby residents," Kellett said.
The $180,000 playground development is separate from the rest of Ron Brent Park, with plans in the works for the remaining portion of the city-owned parkland.
But for now, children can look forward to an exciting new playground at the park.
"The playground should be completed in the next few days," said Larry Ward, project manager of city parks. "It's a different style for primary and intermediate kids with equipment that is not so high and smaller swings compared to the ones for older kids."
"This is a partnership with the School District and the school will use it but it will also be a neighborhood park and we are hoping to attract different age classes," said parks supervisor Chris Bjorn.
Revamping of Ron Brent Park will start this fall with a public open house.
"We did a lot of community outreach and this upgrade was needed. This is what we promised," Bjorn said.
Separate to the playground at Ron Brent Park, several other playgrounds in the city have been deemed unsafe and plans are currently in the works to replace or remove them.
In light of this, the city has reinvested in its civic playground infrastructure with a five-year plan, which includes the replacement of 25 of the city's playgrounds with CSA-compliant equipment.
The plan also includes the removal of 20 playgrounds with the locations remaining as parkland and greenspaces.
City staff will provide brochures to all residences near the affected parks.
