A set of swings, and seesaws, and maybe a slide. That used to be the extent of playgrounds in Calgary’s communities. Not anymore, as community developers have turned the once-underused spot into a key amenity that will attract new families.

Today’s playgrounds aren’t just a place where parents can bring their kids to expend pent up energy, but where they can themselves socialize while letting their kids explore and expand their imaginations in increasingly elaborate playground set-ups.

Monkey bars that kids don’t only swing from but can twist and turn around in, imaginative jungle gyms of all sorts of shape and colour that challenge creativity, rubberized mats instead of gravel and sand that reduce the risk of scraped knees and elbows. The common refrain from grown-ups: “where were all these when we were growing up?”

Playing around

Apex Land, the developer of such hit communities as Carrington South, Creekstone, and Silver Spruce, has always made playground design a priority.

“They are a very crucial part of all of our communities, they create gathering spaces for families to meet and form connections with neighbours in the community,” says Development Coordinator, Michelle Wilken.

Kalida Manarin, Director of Sales & Marketing at WestCreek Developments, says playgrounds are more than just a collection of play sets.

“At WestCreek, playgrounds are at the heart of our community-building philosophy. They’re more than just play structures—they’re vibrant gathering spaces where neighbors connect, friendships form, and memories are made.”

Playing around

At the grand opening event for the latest phase of Apex’s southwest community of Creekstone, the playground became the epicentre for a ton of kids’ activities. Apex designed it that way.

“We like to ensure that our playgrounds are inclusive and accessible accommodating children of all abilities and ages,” Wilken says.

The location of their playgrounds in Creekstone, Carrington South, and their newest in Silver Spruce, are very meticulously planned. “Playgrounds are chosen in locations that are most beneficial for the community, in central locations with green spaces and lots of room for kids to run around.”

Find out more at apexland.com.

WestCreek Developments

The wildlife themed playgrounds in Wolf Willow, the vibrant colour themed playgrounds in Legacy, all denote a devotion in creating engaging play spaces for their residents. That’s just the way WestCreek Developments like it.

“We believe every park should be a destination—memorable, unique, and worthy of a name. In Legacy, parks are themed by color, while in Wolf Willow, they’re inspired by animals. We actively engage with community members to gather ideas and feedback, ensuring each design reflects the spirit of the neighborhood.”

She says their trusted landscape consultants bring fresh, innovative concepts from the forefront of playground and park design, helping us create spaces that are both imaginative and inclusive.

WestCreek takes playground design seriously. ‘We draw inspiration from each community’s unique identity as a foundation. Collaborating with experts in playground design, we refine ideas into what creates amazing playgrounds! We also actively engage with residents from our existing communities to identify any unmet needs or novel ideas,” she adds.

In Wolf Willow, the recently opened Wolf Park has been a big hit with kids and parents alike. “Wolf Park features a wolf-themed playground alongside a unique parkour-style fitness area for both kids and adults. We’re also excited about the upcoming Fish Park, located along the Bow River and Fish Creek Park, which will include a striking double-height play structure.”

In Legacy, its rainbow parks add a splash of colour to the landscape. “This year, we’re thrilled to unveil two new additions, our Wood park and Purple Park, the latter featuring an exciting pump track! We also think about the parents in our parks, how trees will grow over the years to provide shade and seating for relaxation,” she says.

Find out more at westcreekdevelopments.com.