At the heart of every family-friendly community is a playground, the best place where kids can have fun and expend some excess energy and where parents can establish the bonds of the neighbourhood. It’s an essential amenity, and its design is ever evolving.

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.

A recent report by the City of Calgary round that the city is home to 1,172 playgrounds that ranks it among the world leaders in playgrounds per capita, amounting to roughly five playgrounds per 1,000 children. And the number of playgrounds in the city has grown by approximately 25 per cent in the last 10 years.

The report also found that more than half of these playgrounds are at least two decades old and need more funds for maintenance. But in Calgary’s new communities, that is not the case, as developers come out with more imaginative and accessible ways to feature in their latest playgrounds.

Today’s play structures in the new communities aren’t just the swings and slides of yesterday, but more interactive, accessible and safe. Many use recycled rubber for surfaces to avoid scrapes.

“Playgrounds are one of the first tangible signs that a community is truly coming to life,” says Daisy Lieu, Division Marketing Manager for Rohit Communities. “For us, providing residents with a quality outdoor amenity they can enjoy right away a priority from day one. It gives neighbours a reason to get outside, connect with each other, and start building community.”

The evolution of the playground

Dan Seibel, Marketing Manager at Brookfield Residential, tells NextHome that their vision for the community playground has evolved into something larger, as they are incorporated as part of their central recreational facilities exclusive to the residents of their communities.

Facilities like Brookfield Residential’s latest, The Block in Seton, brings together all the recreational amenities that each community might need, including play structures, in one central space that becomes the beating social and cultural spot of the area.

That vision has worked in Brookfield Residential’s communities like Livingston and Rockland Park, and even in their older built-out communities like Auburn Bay and New Brighton. Seibel says, depending on how big the community is, Brookfield intends to have these multipurpose recreational facilities as a central part of the design. “Community amenities always come first, whether it’s a big recreational facility or big play areas that are shared by the community.”

In Qualico Communities’ award-winning community of Harmony just west of Calgary, the Adventure Park is an amazing all-season amenity designed to complement the future Beach Club – and the active lifestyle enjoyed by Harmony residents of all age. It incorporates a pump track and even a climbing wall for kids of all ages to enjoy.

The heart of Heartwood

In Rohit’s first community development in Calgary, Heartwood, the playground design has played an important part in it winning New Community of the Year at this year’s BILD Calgary Region Awards. But beyond that it has already become one of the biggest draws to this southeast community. The grand opening celebrations of the playground in May proved just that.

Despite the cloudy day, crowds came through to see just how much innovation and imagination Rohit has put in this the first of four planned park sites in the community.

Built with the first phase this Inclusive playground design takes advantage of changes in elevations on site, Lieu says. “Use of natural themed structures to compliment the community style as well as match the seating areas throughout the pond and playground,” she says.

Muted structure colours blend with the community and integrate well with the adjacent wetland and pond. Climbing structures, seating areas with shade, various tree sizes to mimic a new forest create a whimsical environment, there’s also a temporary irrigation system to increase grass, shrubs and tree growth. “It also has walking paths with several benches installed to sit an enjoy and watch the kids play,” Lieu says.

Rohit is also developing Heartland in Cochrane, and the playground there brings its own exciting additions for residents which was a brand new dog park and a scenic walking path that winds around the pond, giving pet owners and outdoor enthusiasts a dedicated space to enjoy year-round.

“The playground itself follows our inclusive design philosophy, featuring a natural-themed structure that feels at home within the community’s landscape. Like Heartwood, the intent was to create a space that invites residents to slow down, connect with their neighbours, and enjoy the outdoors right in their own backyard. Together, the dog park, pond pathway, and playground create a cohesive recreational hub that serves a wide range of residents and lifestyles.” Find out more at heartwoodcalgary.com, and at heartlandcochrane.ca.

Recreational hubs

Brookfield Residential has found a winning formula in bringing recreational facilities operated by respective Homeowners Association (HOA in their communities.

These facilities have become the defining feature in Brookfield Residential communities like Rockland Park and Livingston, both in north Calgary. Their newest one – The Block in Seton – has already become the busiest among the three.

The Block, which just opened last year, is an exclusive facility for residents of Seton and Seton Ridge in the southeast and has become a vital part in community life here.

It is a 14,000-square-foot centre that sits on a beautiful six-acre site between Seton and Seton Ridge. It is designed with community in mind, and features several multi-use rooms, a half gymnasium, lockers, a kitchen, and enhanced gathering areas for casual hangouts.

“It provides an essential service for the community,” Seibel says. “It definitely adds value to life in the community.”

It includes a splash park that can turn into a casual skating arena in the winter, a fire pit and picnic shelters, hockey rink, basketball nets and a tennis/pickleball courts. “The pickleball courts are very popular,” Seibel notes.

There is also an accessible play structure and an amphitheater and inviting spaces to gather and form the bonds of community. Go toseton-connect.com for more.

Adventure land

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

Harmony in Springbank, just west of Calgary, offers something for every member of the family. From expansive lakes and year-round recreational opportunities to pathways, parks, and imaginative playgrounds, the community is designed to encourage outdoor living, exploration, and an active lifestyle.

“Playgrounds play the essential role in new communities of creating a space of togetherness,” says Emily Smith, Director, Marketing & Customer Care at Qualico Communities which jointly develops Harmony with 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 outdoor recreation from the very beginning, Harmony continues to invest in amenities that bring residents together and encourage active living year-round. Today, the community is home to many completed playgrounds like the Paintbrush Park, Sunset Cove Park and Trampoline park, along with the highly popular Adventure Park, a dynamic recreation hub designed for all ages.

The Adventure Park features a skatepark, pump track, climbing wall, ninja course, toboggan hill, skating ribbon, beach volleyball courts, and a dog park, creating opportunities for residents to stay active in every season.

Combined with Harmony’s growing network of pathways, parks, greenspaces, and lakeside amenities, these spaces help foster connection, wellness, and a strong sense of community. “It truly is a four-season playground,” says Smith. “Whether residents are skating in the winter, riding the pump track in the summer, or simply gathering with neighbours, these amenities create opportunities for people to connect and enjoy the outdoors together.” Find out more at liveinharmony.ca.