Calgary's playgrounds are serious business

Community playgrounds may provide hours of fun for children, but their design has become serious business for developers as they stretch out their imaginations to provide the most engaging and inclusive tot lots for families.

Parents can spend an idyllic afternoon with their young children in the playgrounds of many of Calgary’s new communities. It’s the spot to let the kids burn off excess energy, and for the grown-ups to socialize with their neighbours.

Nowadays, it isn’t just seesaws and slides and swing sets that comprise a playground, many in the newer communities have more elaborate set-ups that look more like some fun dreamscape.

We spoke with a few of Calgary’s developers to see what goes into planning the playgrounds of today’s communities.

Harmony in Springbank

As the seven-time winner of Best Community in the Calgary Region, you can expect Harmony’s in-community amenities to be above and beyond the ordinary – and you’d be right.

Harmony in Springbank, just west of Calgary, has everything a family with young children would love. A huge lake with all the recreational opportunities it brings, bike paths and, playgrounds that kids and kids at heart are bound to love.

“Playgrounds play the essential role in new communities of creating a space of togetherness,” says Laurel Campbell, Harmony Marketing Manager on behalf of Bordeaux Developments. “Giving both adults and kids a place to mingle, play, and build connections with their neighbours. They are like the backyard of the community, where friendships form, and a sense of belonging grows.”

With a strong focus on developing outdoor amenities for our residents from the very beginning, Harmony - jointly developed by Bordeaux and Qualico Communities - already has two completed playgrounds plus the Adventure Park. Both Paintbrush Park and Sunset Cove Park offer creative structures for children to explore, while the Adventure Park provides space for resident of all ages to engage in a variety of activities including skateboarding, biking, wall climbing and a Ninja Course.

“We are in the planning phase for the second stage of the Adventure Park, we look forward to next year when we can reveal the final details!” Campbell says. Find out more at liveinharmony.ca.

Qualico Communities Calgary

Qualico Communities is one of the biggest developers in Alberta with 11 current developments in the Calgary area alone. The developer has always believed in having amenities already in place in their communities even before the first residents come in. Chief among these are the playgrounds.

“Playgrounds play an important role in our communities,” says Qualico Communities Calgary Marketing & Communications Manager, Monica Bilyk. “They provide a safe and dedicated space for children to engage in physical activity, promoting health and well-being. They also facilitate social interaction and communal engagement, creating a sense of community among residents.”

Qualico goes above and beyond when planning for their playgrounds. “A few items that come to mind when planning the development of a playground include accessibility and safety,” says Nathan Gelsinger, Development Coordinator.

“Accessibility is a key component ensuring that we are developing a playground that supports different ages and physical abilities. Safety is also a priority as we want families to feel comfortable in an environment where injury is not a question.”

Qualico situates playgrounds in areas that are visible to the public/residents. “We put a lot of time and effort into making playgrounds an enjoyable experience and we want people to be aware of the playgrounds in our communities,” he adds.
In their brand-new community of new Southbow Landing in Cochrane, Qualico is taking advantage of the spectacular mountain views of the site.

“Given the nature of Cochrane with its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, our parks/playgrounds will have a sense of warmth and feel as much a part of nature as the Town of Cochrane itself and beyond,” Gelsinger says.

While for Vermillion Hill in Calgary’s southwest, Qualico will have a double hill slide that is incorporated into the changing grade of the site. Playground structure that includes slides, bridges, platforms and many climbing features. Construction is set to start later this year.

And in Ambleton in the northwest, Qualico has incorporated musical instruments in one of our playgrounds. “As of recent, we have also transitioned away from mulch/rock surface in playground areas and have shifted towards a “Pour in Place” surface. Many benefits of this change include better durability, slip resistant, and it is “splinter-proof,” Gelsinger says. For more information on Qualico’s communities, visit qualicocommunitiescalgary.com

Rohit Communities

Rohit Communities has a long history of developing many of Alberta’s best loved communities and in their latest developments in the Calgary region – Heartland in Cochrane and Heartwood in the southeast - they are making sure that amenities, including playgrounds, are prioritized as they are essential building blocks for the neighbourhood’s character.

Rohit Division Marketing Manager, Daisy Lieu, says the developer believes playgrounds foster a sense of community, providing a gathering space for families and promotes social interactions and neighbourly bonding.

“There is a lot of development and therapeutic growth that can happen in a playground environment,” she says. “For example, children can improve their strength and gross motor skills in a playground setting, learn body awareness, sensory regulation, executive functioning skills and build on self-esteem.”

Rohit works with a landscape architect who assists with playground design, looking at factors such as age range, accessibility, durability, safety and maintenance among others before proceeding.

“We look at coloring, surface materials, and landscaping to create a uniqueness from neighboring playgrounds. And lastly, a playground must go through municipal approvals before moving ahead,” Lieu adds.

Rohit Communities will be building its first playground this year in Heartland, which has some unique features such as natural playground elements, a bee sanctuary, and a dog park.

“We are also excited and aiming to have Heartwood’s first playground open in the fall of 2024. Rohit Communities’ goal is to have this amenity open before the first residents move in, as it offers a sense of community among residents to help establish a vibrant and cohesive neighbourhood at the outset. The first playground will be inclusive for children of all ages and utilizing our existing grading to create seating areas and shade structures.”
Know more about Rohit and its communities at rohitgroup.com.

WestCreek Developments

Visitors to WestCreek Developments’ communities of Legacy, or Wolf Willow in the southeast, can clearly see how invested the award-winning developer is in playground design.

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.

“Playgrounds are what make a community a home,” says WestCreek Marketing Manager, Kalida Manarin. “For families, playgrounds become cherished destinations, weaving dreams of laughter and adventure into their everyday lives. Just as adults seek vibrant cafes, children crave spaces where imaginations can soar. By integrating playgrounds in our communities, we foster a sense of belonging for all residents, that resonate with every generation.”

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 Osprey Park, with an osprey nest play structure as the centerpiece, has been a big hit with kids and parents alike, and the highly anticipated Wolf Park set to debut later this year will likely be as well received. “The Wolf Park will feature an adult workout ninja park and expansive greenspaces,” Manarin says.

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.

Their efforts have borne fruit. “In Legacy, our playgrounds have emerged as cherished destinations, drawing visitors from surrounding communities across the city. This enthusiastic response reaffirms our commitment to crafting playgrounds that resonate deeply with the diverse needs and preferences of our residents,” Manarin says.

Find out more at westcreekdevelopments.com.