The Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake is asking residents to help choose new playground designs for Memorial Park and Simcoe Park, with voting open until Sept. 9.
Public feedback will “directly determine” the final design for each park, said the town’s Aug. 26 news release.
The Memorial Park options differ in size and features: one reduces the mulch footprint and reinvests savings into more play components, while the other keeps the existing footprint with fewer additions.
At Simcoe Park, one design proposes a single play structure for ages 18 months to 12 years old, while the other splits equipment into two structures — one for toddlers and one for older children — to create age-specific play experiences.
Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa says the goal is to make sure the projects reflect what the community actually wants.
“Before they move ahead with something like, especially park amenities,” he said.
“You don’t want to build amenities with public money that doesn’t get used properly.”
The projects replace equipment installed in 2005 at Memorial Park and 1997 at Simcoe Park. Both were approved for replacement through past council budget cycles.
Zalepa said council wants to close gaps in local amenities by updating equipment, improving safety and “meeting the needs today for people” — not only with play structures but also with services and events.
“That’s a big part of what council’s strategic plan spoke to,” he said. “The improvement of amenities and services with regards to parks.”
Aligning with the parks and recreation master plan now in development, Zalepa said the upgrades are also part of council’s push to expand park activities for all ages, from youth to seniors.
“I think this is just an effort to continue to build on that,” he said.
“The feedback will be helpful,” he added. “I’d love to hear what ideas people have.”
Regardless of which design is chosen, Zalepa hopes for one simple outcome: “that we meet the needs of the people that want to use them,” he said.
“I think that’s the key thing.”
Residents can review the designs and vote online at jointheconversationnotl.org/playground-engagement, or scan QR codes posted at both parks.
