Playground Plan

More Information

INVESTMENT IN PRINCE GEORGE PLAYGROUNDS A Playground Plan has been developed to prioritize playgrounds to meet the present and future needs of Prince George residents. A plan for playgrounds will help to address changing community demand, aging infrastructure and pressure on service delivery.

The City of Prince George, through the Park Strategy, assessed playgrounds and identified priorities for investment. The Playground Plan is a five-year investment program with a schedule of removals, replacements and additions.

Visit the City of Prince George website at princegeorge.ca or call 250.561.7600 for more information on;

• Playground Plan - Document, Mapping & Updates• Park Strategy 2017 - Report Document and Action Plan

Q. How many playgrounds will be removed and replaced? A. The 5 year investment program will replace 25

playgrounds and remove 20 playgrounds.

Q. Why are you removing playground equipment?A. A Canadian Standards Association (CSA) audit

of the City’s playgrounds recommended the complete removal of playgrounds that are at the end of their life cycle and present hazards that cannot be feasibly repaired. Twenty (20) of these playgrounds will be removed and not replaced.

Q. When are the playgrounds being removed and what equipment will be affected?

A. Playground removal is scheduled to begin May 2017. Equipment removed will include swings, slides, merry go rounds, and adventure play equipment.

Q. Will you redevelop or sell a park after a playground is removed?

A. These parks will remain and continue to be maintained as green space or a neighbourhood park. Parks will not be sold as part of the Playground Plan.

Q. How did you decide which playgrounds to replace? A. The Park Strategy evaluated 66 playgrounds.

The assessment included a CSA audit, community consultation and scoring based on many factors including distribution and condition.

Q. How will you fund the replacement of playgrounds?A. The City is proposing an annual capital budget

of $250,000 over the 5 year term. The City is able to replace an average of 3-4 playgrounds per year.

Q. How will you determine which playgrounds will be replaced each year?

A. The playground plan will be reviewed annually to determine if there any emerging demands or new opportunities for funding.

Q. What kind of equipment will be included in the playground replacement?

A. The playground equipment may vary in each park and is based on considerations such as funding and other available play opportunities within the area.

Q. Are you replacing or adding playgrounds at local schools?

A. No. The City is looking to replace and add new playgrounds at City parks.

Q. Will you be improving the maintenance of playgrounds?

A. Yes. Decreasing the overall playground inventory means the City will be able to focus resources and investment. The City will be re-developing the playground maintenance and inspection program to align it with the current CSA standards.

Q. Is there a plan to replace more playgrounds once the 5 year program is over?

A. Yes. The playground replacement plan will be reviewed in 2021 , based on assessment of the condition of playgrounds at that time, to determine additional updates that may be required over the next ten (10) year period.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Baker Park• Bednesti Park• Charella Park• Cherry Park• Clearwood Park• Coyle Park• Duchess Park• Fairburn Park• Foot Park• Gordon Bryant Park• Harper Park• Latrobe Park (South)

• Nordic Park• Parkridge Heights Park• Poyner Park• Prudente Park• Renison Park• Sinclair Park• Stirling Park• Strathcona Park• Sycamore Park• Westgate Park• Zimmaro Park

Playground Removal in 2017

Playgrounds Retained

• Antler Park• Azure Park• Balsum Park• Blair Park• Campbell Park• Corless Park• Freimuller Park• Harry Loder Park• Ingledew Park• Jasper Park

• Kelly Park• Latrobe Park (North)• Lorne Park• Malaspina Park• McMaster Park• Ochakwin Park• Perry Park• Punchaw park• Starlane Park• St. Mathew Park

Playground Investment

The Playground Plan sets clear direction to ensure high quality playgrounds in our community. In 2017, the City of Prince George will invest $250,000 in playgrounds.

Park Name Replacement/AdditionProposed Year of

Replacement

2017 2018-2021Blackburn Park2 Addition1

Byng Park ReplacementCarrie Jane Gray Park ReplacementClapperton Park ReplacementCpl. Darren Fitzpatrick Bravery Park AdditionDuchess Park - fall protection only3 ReplacementEaglenest Park ReplacementFairmont Park ReplacementGladstone Park ReplacementHammond Park ReplacementJackpine Park ReplacementJean de Brebeuf Park ReplacementLheidli T’enneh Memorial Park4 ReplacementMoosehart Park ReplacementNorth College Park ReplacementPaddlewheel Park ReplacementQuinson Park ReplacementRainbow Park5 ReplacementRidgeview Park ReplacementS. Ft. George Family Resource Centre ReplacementSanderson Park ReplacementSeymour Park ReplacementSnowdrop Park ReplacementSt. John Park ReplacementSt. Mary Park ReplacementWatrous Park Replacement

Notes:1. Includes the addition of a new toddler playground.2. The addition of a playground at Blackburn Park would be considered as part of a

reinvestment plan for the park.3. The replacement of the Duchess Park fall protection is estimated at $150,000.4. The replacement of the Lheidli T’enneh Memorial Park playground is estimated at $500,000.5. The replacement of the Rainbow Park playground is estimated at $250,000.

What’s Next?

The City of Prince George Park Strategy took a close look at all of the playgrounds throughout our parks. A playground assessment was completed that included a Canada Standards Association (CSA) audit, community consultation and scoring based on many factors including distribution and condition. All park strategy documents, including individual park scorecards, can be found on the City website at www.princegeorge.ca.

Of the 66 playgrounds, 20 non-CSA compliant playgrounds were identified as lowest priority and have been scheduled for removal without replacement. The playground plan sets goals for investment and for ensuring quality playgrounds in our City.

The five (5) year investment plan will be reviewed annually to determine:

• Changes and emerging demands;

• Potential funding sources such as the City’s Capital Expenditure Plan, grants or donations; and

• New and innovative playground equipment as well as accessible play opportunities.

The playground replacement plan will be reviewed in 2021 to determine additional updates that may be required over the next ten (10) year period.