Kids across Ontario are gearing up for summer vacation and a playground, of course, is sure to be one of their first stops! To celebrate the beginning of summer and spark ideas for cool new playgrounds to visit in communities across Ontario, here are a few suggestions.
Not only are they packed with cool, non-traditional features, but each playground has sustainable surfacing made from recycled tire rubber that adds colour and enhanced durability and safety! The innovative design and technology that went into creating the surfacing product ensures a high degree of shock absorption to better cushion falls and reduce the severity of playground injuries. Available in custom colours and patterns, this surfacing is easy on the eye too!
As a bonus, the below playgrounds were designed by kids, for kids.
Car Park (Newmarket)
This park was designed and created for the York Region Children’s Aid Society in Newmarket, an organization that was lacking a space for children to play. The park boasts a racetrack, racecars, slides, and even a spinner! The racetrack, provided by SofSurfaces, contains between 74% and 93% recycled Ontario tires. Kids also think it’s pretty neat that tires found new life off the road and on a playground!
Future Park (Hamilton)
Hamilton City Housing recently got its own playground, and decided on a futuristic theme. This meant incorporating everything from a time machine to a spaceship bench with solar panels, to a mural of robots and aliens. The coloured pattern in the rubber playground surfacing also helps to make the playground theme out of this world!
Science Park (Hamilton)
Some crafty kids thought it might be fun to create a science-themed park with features like an asteroid-shaped climbing wall and rocket-shaped teeter-totter, and soft flooring. We’ll take an ‘atom-climber’ over monkey bars any day! Each playground tile contains 2 recycled rubber tires!
Playgrounds are more than just places to play: they are social hubs that bind communities. These public spaces allow children to grow and develop by enabling them to socialize, build relationships, and get outdoors! These are just a few examples of great sustainable playgrounds in Ontario. If you’re looking for new community adventures to explore with your children this summer, check out these latest additions!
These playgrounds were all part of a show called Giver, in which kids aged 6-12 design and build playgrounds in their communities. To watch full episodes, tune into TVO or visit our Youtube channel.
For more information on recycled rubber products and Ontario Tire Stewardship, visit www.RethinkTires.ca and follow us on Twitter @RethinkTires.
