The Vancouver Park Board announced this week it is entering into the contract negotiation phase for the construction of seven new playgrounds across the city.

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“There is much community support and enthusiasm for playground renewals and it’s an ongoing priority for the Park Board,” said park board chair Stuart Mackinnon in a statement.

“Play equipment encourages children to be more active and builds social skills and sensory activity, helps with cognitive development, and encourages healthy emotional development.”

The playgrounds set to be rebuilt in this latest phase of citywide playground renewals are located in Ash, Beaconsfield, Cedar Cottage, Charleson, Jones, Kaslo, and Winona parks.

Locations of new playgrounds in Vancouver. (Vancouver Park Board)

Detailed design drafting and consultations with parents and other stakeholders have already begun, with construction on each playground expected to cost between $375,000 and $875,000, depending on their scope. The total cost of all projects is pegged at $4.5 million.

The modern designs will include “fun and challenging” play equipment such as trampolines, pirate ships, hill slides, and spider web nets, and will also include new surfacing, accessible pathways, and seating and drinking fountains when potable water is available.

Layout of the new playground at Charleson Park. (Vancouver Park Board)

The park board anticipates construction will begin this summer or early fall.

Furthermore, two new pre-school play areas are underway for Trout Lake and Thunderbird parks, and design and consultations are ongoing for playgrounds at Champlain Heights Community Centre and Granville Park.

According to the park board, there are currently 160 playgrounds under its jurisdiction, and 17 ageing locations have been rebuilt since 2015.

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