ROSEDALE PARK PLAYGROUND – Open for Play!!

The Rosedale Park Playground isofficially “open for play”!    We know that everyone has been eagerly peering through the construction fencing hoping for opening day - particularly with the delay from the planned Oct. 31^st opening - so we appreciate your patience in the last few weeks.  This article provides an update on the playground, its new features and acknowledges the generous donors who have made this community initiative possible.

Project History

In the June NRRA newsletter, the playground tendering process was being finalized by the City of Toronto (City) and by late summer the project was awarded to the contractor, Pine Valley Enterprises.  By late August, the playground was closed and the construction phase began. These last 3 months have been a flurry of activity, as the site went from a large pile of earth and rubble to a playground that is a unique neighbourhood gem for kids of all ages.   The playground is now completed (with a few small exceptions to be tidied-up in the spring).

New Playground Features

The photos show a new playground dramatically improved from its dated predecessor with many new elements, expanded play space and a new, totally refurbished, graphically enhanced splash pad.

There is a lot to be excited about in the new playground including a few highlights below:

Junior and Senior Play Structures – now the little kids can play more confidently and safely on appropriate sized equipment for ages < 5.  Older kids, ages 6-12, can enjoy more exciting play on a taller, more challenging play structures.

Water Play – the wading pool has been totally refurbished as a splash pad that promises much more interactive water play, with a sitting wall that will cascade water, two larger-than-life flowers and three ground-level nozzles that spray water on a varying cycle spray, when activated by the kids through a push-button device.  The benefit of the splash pad is that the season for use by our kids is significantly extended.  The City will open the water feature from May – October (without life-guard supervision), whereas the wading pool would only be open from late June – Labour Day (requiring life guard supervision).  If it is a hot day and life guards are available, the splash pad can also be converted into a wading pool with deeper water for the kids.

Granular Granite Ground Cover – while it looks just like sand, this is a high-tech material from the Canadian Shield in cottage country.  This material is used in many of the new parks since it is superior to wood chips and regular sand.  The benefits include better absorption of shocks and falls to avoid injury, better drainage, it does not freeze solid, it can be cleaned and does not leave a dusty residue on the kids.

Shade & Seating – with the addition of the shade pavilion, picnic tables, benches and improved landscaping, the playground will be more comfortable for parents and better able to accommodate picnics and extended use.  The pavilion has been situated to allow cross-playground observation from this one location and the ability to watch rink activities.

Sand Box – this sand is different from the play area, since it allows for easy clumping to make sand castles, etc.  There is also a water station at the sand box to wash sand from kids leaving the area.

Swivel Chairs – in live testing with kids the two swivel chairs near the Junior play area are not as interactive as planned.  Therefore these are to be exchanged for more interactive spring toys.  For the time being, the swivel chairs will remain until the replacement toys are ready for installation within the coming month.

Perimeter Fencing – fencing surrounds the play area perimeter to keep kids in and bikes and pets out.  We all love our dogs, but the unanimous consensus was that parents preferred that dogs be kept outside the fence for health & safety reasons, as it is with the current playground.  We have installed a dog drinking station on the south side of the clubhouse outside the fence to ensure fido & friends stay hydrated.

Playground Grand Opening Event

The deadline completion date target provided by the City and Pine Valley was October 31^st, so the Playground Renewal Committee had planned on an opening day of November 1^st.  With unexpected delays the completion date was pushed to late November and since we are now into cold weather, we have decided to postpone the Grand Opening until the spring, when we can enjoy the water feature during the celebration.

The Committee will be communicating the dates and plans for this event early in the New Year to ensure everyone can book their calendars well in advance.

Donor Thanks

This initiative has been unique with 100% of the capital funded by private donations.  According to the City, our approach to renewing the playground is an innovative model for future public projects.  The Playground Committee raised over $500,000 from over private 165 donors.   The City has supported the project with a project manager and some small project contributions and will fund the ongoing operating and maintenance costs.  The NRRA has been the sponsoring and organizing body with its executive and volunteers committing thousands of hours to organize and manage the project to completion.

The NRRA wants to recognize all of the generous individuals, foundations, corporations and families to make this playground a possibility and whom have given their permission to be recognized.  The playground donor community is listed below and we thank each and every one of you for your support.

At the playground site you will see a plaque on the clubhouse west wall, installed by the City and NRRA to recognize the major donors.  Specialized plaques have been installed on some of the playground features where donors directed large donations. 

Finally, the splash pad and the pavilion have specialized plaques installed to recognize the “Visionary” category donors who made a substantial contribution to make these features of the renovation a reality.

Summary

Until we meet for the Spring Grand Opening…come...play and enjoy our new neighbourhood asset!  We will be in touch soon with the Grand Opening date and the exciting and fun festivities to celebrate this great neighbourhood achievement.   If you have any questions or suggestions on the Grand Opening, please contact one of us below.

Thank you once again for your support of this exciting community initiative and your patience in the final stages of the project.

Sincerely,

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Toronto Parks Plan Consultation

In 2010, City Council approved the development of a City-wide Parks Plan based on seven guiding principles: parks and trails as city infrastructure, equitable access for all residents, supporting a diversity of uses, nature in the city, environmental stewardship, place making and community engagement. The Parks Plan will guide acquisition, development, management and operation of the system of public parkland in the City of Toronto over a five-year period.

Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation invites your input to thestrategic plan. SRRA encourages you to participate by completing the online survey at:http://wx.toronto.ca/inter/pfr/parksplan.nsf/survey?openform. The survey takes no more than 15 minutes to complete.

For general information on the Parks Plan and consultation, go to: http://www.toronto.ca/parks/engagement/parksplan/index.htm

SRRA will also represent the neighbourhood at an upcoming public meeting.

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Milkman's Lane Restoration

Plant a Tree This Fall

Fall is a great time for planting trees. SRRA encourages you to plant a canopy tree in your front or back yard - wherever there is open space. Trees add enormously to landscaping and property beautification, provide cooling shade in summer, and can add value to your home.

For private properties, the community organization LEAF (Local Enhancement & Appreciation of Forests) offers a subsidized tree planting program with low cost consultation and tree planting. Visit http://www.yourleaf.org/ for more information.
 
You may also have open space on the boulevard in front of your home, where a tree would look great, provide shade and even add to your privacy. If it's on City-owned land near the roadway, you can get a tree planted FOR FREE. Visit http://www.toronto.ca/trees/tree_planting.htm for more information.


Evergreen Brick Works

To see the latest at Evergreen Brick Works, click on the following link to Evergreen's Summer 2011 newsletter: http://www.evergreen.ca/newsletters/egnews/2011-08/

Emerald Ash Borer
It is estimated that the City of Toronto will lose nearly all of its 860,000 ash trees to EAB by 2017. That's 8.4% of total canopy cover.  Find out what you can do.

Contact LEAF

416-413-9244 x0 

email: info@yourleaf.org.

website: www.yourleaf.org