The Vancouver Park Board has announced the construction of seven new playgrounds across the city. Contract negotiations for playground renewals in Ash, Beaconsfield, Cedar Cottage, Charleson, Jones, Kaslo, and Winona parks have begun. The value of the total project is $4.5 million. Construction is scheduled to start this summer or early fall.

“There is much community support and enthusiasm for playground renewals and it’s an ongoing priority for the Park Board. Play equipment encourages children to be more active and builds social skills and sensory activity, helps with cognitive development, and encourages healthy emotional development,” said Park Board Chair Stuart Mackinnon.

The seven playgrounds will receive fun and challenging play equipment such as trampolines, pirate ships, hill slides, and spider web nets, new surfacing, accessible pathways, and seating and drinking fountains when potable water is available.

According to the park board, there are currently 160 playgrounds in the system, many of which are reaching the end of their lifespan. As such, replacement of playgrounds is an ongoing priority. Since 2015, 17 playground renewals have been completed.

Current and future playground renewals are funded through the 2019 Capital Budget, which was approved by the board at the special budget meeting on December 10, 2018.

In addition to the seven playgrounds being renewed, two preschool play areas are in the works (Trout Lake and Thunderbird), and design and community engagement is ongoing for playgrounds at Champlain Heights Community Centre and Granville Park.