Hanna Park Playground Rehabilitation

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As part of the Park Development Plans, outlined in the Township’s Parks and Trails Standards Manual, Hanna Park has been identified as a destination park requiring upgrades to address aging infrastructure and meet safety requirements as provided by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Since Summer 2025, we’ve been engaging with you, the community, on ideas and design elements.

Project Background

History

The playground at Hanna Park has been a valued part of the Port Carling community for more than 25 years. Built entirely through the generosity of local residents, businesses, and volunteers, it reflects the strong community spirit that helped bring it to life. The family name plaques displayed on the playground fence continue to recognize those contributions.

Over the years, the playground has become a place where generations of children have played, explored, and made lasting memories. While ongoing maintenance and repairs have helped extend its lifespan, the structure has now exceeded its expected 20-year service life and replacement is necessary to ensure it remains safe and accessible for future generations.

Community Engagement & Design Approach

Since Summer 2025, the Township has been engaging with the community around a refreshed design that consistently highlighted the importance of retaining a wood-based playground that reflects the character of the existing structure and compliments the natural Muskoka landscape.

In response, the Township issued a Request for Proposals seeking a replacement that closely reflects the existing playground. Earthscape has been selected to design and construct the new playground using high quality natural materials, while preserving as much of the playground's existing character as possible. Current concepts also retain the existing wood picket fence and commemorative family name plaques.

Potential Funding Applications

The Township has also applied for funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), with a decision expected this fall. If successful, the project may also include additional improvements identified through the Hanna Park Development Plan, such as replacing the pavilion, expanding docking opportunities, and adding a small river viewing platform.

Timeline

Phase One - Ideation Stage (completed)

In Summer 2025, we reached out to the community to gather input and ideas around upgrades to Hanna Park.

Phase Two – Landscape Concept Survey (completed)

In Fall 2025, we gathered input on the draft landscape designs, based on the feedback received from Phase One. Community feedback consistently highlighted the importance of retaining a wood-based playground that reflects the character of the existing structure and complements the natural Muskoka landscape.

Phase Three – Mock Ups & Design Review Stage (current)

We've used your feedback from earlier phases to develop draft design concepts. The final design concept is currently underway with Earthscape, expected in the coming weeks.

View the Draft Design: Hanna Park Playground Design Mock Up

Proposed playground amenities:

Thank you! Your feedback helped inform discussions around the Council table on Wednesday, July 29, regarding next steps for this community project, watch the discussion here.

Please Note: The draft design concept and layout linked here is not final. Staff will work with Earthscape to refine the playground layout and finalize the design, with an updated concept expected in the coming weeks.

Phase Four – Approval & Implementation (coming soon)

Subject to Council approval, the project will proceed to material procurement and construction scheduling, with work to begin in Fall 2026 and the playground expected to open in Spring 2027 (these dates are not final and set to change).

As part of the Park Development Plans, outlined in the Township’s Parks and Trails Standards Manual, Hanna Park has been identified as a destination park requiring upgrades to address aging infrastructure and meet safety requirements as provided by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Since Summer 2025, we’ve been engaging with you, the community, on ideas and design elements.

Project Background

History

The playground at Hanna Park has been a valued part of the Port Carling community for more than 25 years. Built entirely through the generosity of local residents, businesses, and volunteers, it reflects the strong community spirit that helped bring it to life. The family name plaques displayed on the playground fence continue to recognize those contributions.

Over the years, the playground has become a place where generations of children have played, explored, and made lasting memories. While ongoing maintenance and repairs have helped extend its lifespan, the structure has now exceeded its expected 20-year service life and replacement is necessary to ensure it remains safe and accessible for future generations.

Community Engagement & Design Approach

Since Summer 2025, the Township has been engaging with the community around a refreshed design that consistently highlighted the importance of retaining a wood-based playground that reflects the character of the existing structure and compliments the natural Muskoka landscape.

In response, the Township issued a Request for Proposals seeking a replacement that closely reflects the existing playground. Earthscape has been selected to design and construct the new playground using high quality natural materials, while preserving as much of the playground's existing character as possible. Current concepts also retain the existing wood picket fence and commemorative family name plaques.

Potential Funding Applications

The Township has also applied for funding through the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC), with a decision expected this fall. If successful, the project may also include additional improvements identified through the Hanna Park Development Plan, such as replacing the pavilion, expanding docking opportunities, and adding a small river viewing platform.

Timeline

Phase One - Ideation Stage (completed)

In Summer 2025, we reached out to the community to gather input and ideas around upgrades to Hanna Park.

Phase Two – Landscape Concept Survey (completed)

In Fall 2025, we gathered input on the draft landscape designs, based on the feedback received from Phase One. Community feedback consistently highlighted the importance of retaining a wood-based playground that reflects the character of the existing structure and complements the natural Muskoka landscape.

Phase Three – Mock Ups & Design Review Stage (current)

We've used your feedback from earlier phases to develop draft design concepts. The final design concept is currently underway with Earthscape, expected in the coming weeks.

View the Draft Design: Hanna Park Playground Design Mock Up

Proposed playground amenities:

Thank you! Your feedback helped inform discussions around the Council table on Wednesday, July 29, regarding next steps for this community project, watch the discussion here.

Please Note: The draft design concept and layout linked here is not final. Staff will work with Earthscape to refine the playground layout and finalize the design, with an updated concept expected in the coming weeks.

Phase Four – Approval & Implementation (coming soon)

Subject to Council approval, the project will proceed to material procurement and construction scheduling, with work to begin in Fall 2026 and the playground expected to open in Spring 2027 (these dates are not final and set to change).

  • Council Provides Direction on the Future of the Hanna Park Playground

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    Thank You for Your Feedback!

    Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the Hanna Park Playground engagement process and join us for the latest Council meeting. Your stories, memories and thoughtful feedback reinforced just how much this playground means to our community and helped Council better understand what you value most about this special place.

    Findings and Recommendations

    One of the most common questions raised throughout the engagement process was whether the existing playground could be repaired or rebuilt.

    To answer that question, the Township commissioned independent playground inspections and consulted with qualified playground manufacturers to evaluate all available options.

    The assessments confirmed the playground has reached the end of its service life (see inspection update in Staff Report), and repairs are not a viable, long-term solution. They also found that a like-for-like rebuild is not feasible. Any new playground must meet today's safety and accessibility standards, requiring a different layout and design. Preliminary estimates for a custom-built replacement ranged from $750,000 to $1 million, and manufacturers advised they cannot certify or assume responsibility for a custom-built playground they did not originally design or manufacture.

    Without replacement, the condition of the existing structure could require the playground to be closed as early as next summer to ensure public safety.

    Council considered these inspection findings, expert recommendations, community feedback, and proposed design options before making its decision.

    Council's Decision (July 29, 2026)

    To support a playground that better reflects the priorities shared by the community, Council approved increasing the project budget from $261,300 to $561,300.

    To fund this increase, Council approved temporarily reallocating funding from the 2026 Wharf Concrete Repair Project. The wharf project will now be considered through the 2027 Capital Budget to proceed in Spring 2027, remaining on track to be completed before the 2027 summer season (see Staff Report for more information).

    With the increased budget approved, Council selected Design Option 3 as the preferred playground concept as it more closely reflects the character of the existing playground, while offering greater play value than the original concept presented during engagement.

    Key features include:

    • Two timber play towers with multiple levels of play
    • Rock climbing walls and climbing nets
    • Traverse ring monkey bars
    • Multiple slides
    • Net and timber bridges connecting play structures
    • Accessible features, entrances and transfer areas
    • Sensory play elements featuring a variety of textures, forms, patterns and colours
    • A dedicated toddler play area (Tot Land)
    • More imaginative, adventurous and inclusive play opportunities for children of a wider range of ages and abilities
    • Click here to see the current draft design

    Staff will continue working with Earthscape to refine the layout and determine any additional play features that can be incorporated within the approved budget.

    While the new playground will not be an exact replica, it is intended to carry forward the adventurous character of the existing playground while meeting today's safety and accessibility standards. Staff will also continue exploring opportunities to retain and incorporate elements of the existing playground, including the wooden fence and family name plaques.

    What's Next?

    Staff will work with Earthscape to refine the playground layout and finalize the design, with an updated concept expected in the coming weeks.

    The Township is also awaiting the results of current grant funding applications and will continue exploring opportunities to commemorate the existing playground and enhance Hanna Park as the project progresses.

    Thank you again to everyone who participated in this process. Your input played an important role in shaping Council's decision, and we'll continue sharing updates as we move into the next chapter of Hanna Park.

    Supporting Resources & Documents:

    Thank You for Your Feedback!

    Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in the Hanna Park Playground engagement process and join us for the latest Council meeting. Your stories, memories and thoughtful feedback reinforced just how much this playground means to our community and helped Council better understand what you value most about this special place.

    Findings and Recommendations

    One of the most common questions raised throughout the engagement process was whether the existing playground could be repaired or rebuilt.

    To answer that question, the Township commissioned independent playground inspections and consulted with qualified playground manufacturers to evaluate all available options.

    The assessments confirmed the playground has reached the end of its service life (see inspection update in Staff Report), and repairs are not a viable, long-term solution. They also found that a like-for-like rebuild is not feasible. Any new playground must meet today's safety and accessibility standards, requiring a different layout and design. Preliminary estimates for a custom-built replacement ranged from $750,000 to $1 million, and manufacturers advised they cannot certify or assume responsibility for a custom-built playground they did not originally design or manufacture.

    Without replacement, the condition of the existing structure could require the playground to be closed as early as next summer to ensure public safety.

    Council considered these inspection findings, expert recommendations, community feedback, and proposed design options before making its decision.

    Council's Decision (July 29, 2026)

    To support a playground that better reflects the priorities shared by the community, Council approved increasing the project budget from $261,300 to $561,300.

    To fund this increase, Council approved temporarily reallocating funding from the 2026 Wharf Concrete Repair Project. The wharf project will now be considered through the 2027 Capital Budget to proceed in Spring 2027, remaining on track to be completed before the 2027 summer season (see Staff Report for more information).

    With the increased budget approved, Council selected Design Option 3 as the preferred playground concept as it more closely reflects the character of the existing playground, while offering greater play value than the original concept presented during engagement.

    Key features include:

    • Two timber play towers with multiple levels of play
    • Rock climbing walls and climbing nets
    • Traverse ring monkey bars
    • Multiple slides
    • Net and timber bridges connecting play structures
    • Accessible features, entrances and transfer areas
    • Sensory play elements featuring a variety of textures, forms, patterns and colours
    • A dedicated toddler play area (Tot Land)
    • More imaginative, adventurous and inclusive play opportunities for children of a wider range of ages and abilities
    • Click here to see the current draft design

    Staff will continue working with Earthscape to refine the layout and determine any additional play features that can be incorporated within the approved budget.

    While the new playground will not be an exact replica, it is intended to carry forward the adventurous character of the existing playground while meeting today's safety and accessibility standards. Staff will also continue exploring opportunities to retain and incorporate elements of the existing playground, including the wooden fence and family name plaques.

    What's Next?

    Staff will work with Earthscape to refine the playground layout and finalize the design, with an updated concept expected in the coming weeks.

    The Township is also awaiting the results of current grant funding applications and will continue exploring opportunities to commemorate the existing playground and enhance Hanna Park as the project progresses.

    Thank you again to everyone who participated in this process. Your input played an important role in shaping Council's decision, and we'll continue sharing updates as we move into the next chapter of Hanna Park.

    Supporting Resources & Documents:

  • Council to Consider Next Steps | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (9:00 AM)

    Share Council to Consider Next Steps | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (9:00 AM) on Facebook Share Council to Consider Next Steps | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (9:00 AM) on X (formerly Twitter) Share Council to Consider Next Steps | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (9:00 AM) on Linkedin Email Council to Consider Next Steps | Wednesday, July 29, 2026 (9:00 AM) link

    Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this project so far. Your stories and thoughtful feedback have highlighted the lasting connection our community has to the Hanna Park playground and the qualities that make it such a special place.

    On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Council will review your feedback, consider staff's recommendations and the proposed options, and provide direction on the next steps for this project.

    Council Meeting

    The Hanna Park Playground Rehabilitation project will be discussed at the next Council meeting on:

    Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
    Time: 9:00 a.m.
    Locations: Township Office, Council Chambers (1 Bailey St., Port Carling) OR Virtual via YouTube

    Watch the meeting live: Click here to watch virtually via YouTube

    Ahead of the meeting, we encourage you to explore the staff report and supporting appendices to learn more about the options being presented to Council:

    Once Council has provided direction, we'll post a summary of the discussion and outline the project's next steps here and on our socials.

    Subscribe to the project page to stay informed as we continue writing this next chapter of Hanna Park together.

    Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this project so far. Your stories and thoughtful feedback have highlighted the lasting connection our community has to the Hanna Park playground and the qualities that make it such a special place.

    On Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Council will review your feedback, consider staff's recommendations and the proposed options, and provide direction on the next steps for this project.

    Council Meeting

    The Hanna Park Playground Rehabilitation project will be discussed at the next Council meeting on:

    Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
    Time: 9:00 a.m.
    Locations: Township Office, Council Chambers (1 Bailey St., Port Carling) OR Virtual via YouTube

    Watch the meeting live: Click here to watch virtually via YouTube

    Ahead of the meeting, we encourage you to explore the staff report and supporting appendices to learn more about the options being presented to Council:

    Once Council has provided direction, we'll post a summary of the discussion and outline the project's next steps here and on our socials.

    Subscribe to the project page to stay informed as we continue writing this next chapter of Hanna Park together.

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Page last updated: 31 Jul 2026, 03:58 PM