While shipping delays may have trickled down into a delay of opening the new Sunset Point playground, the park is now expected to open officially at the end of October, say town officials.
During Monday’s corporate and community services committee meeting, councillors received an update on major town parks, recreation and culture projects leading into the end of the council term. Included in that update was information on the Sunset Point Enviropark.
“The contractor is working diligently with multiple moving parts and in the face of serious supply chain issues to complete all works,” Manager of Parks Wendy Martin told councillors on Monday. “Primary issues outstanding are a final concrete pour and minor adjustments by supplying vendors to ensure... compliance for playground safety.”
Martin said the town is estimating the playground will be officially opened either the week of Oct. 17 or Oct. 24, depending on the final touches.
“We’re extremely close,” she said.
When demolition of the old playground structures took place in October 2021, the timeline estimated the park would be open in May 2022.
The plans for the new park include several play structures that will be geared toward different age ranges, including a lighthouse, a ship on the bay, a wetland, a town village, discovery beach (big sandbox with 'fossils to uncover') and a parkour climbing course with a zipline.
Much of the playground will be accessible for kids of all ages and abilities.
In the forest toward the west end of the park will be a boardwalk with a firefly forest. The ‘firefly’ effect is a canopy of lights that will respond to the sounds that kids yell into two megaphones on the ground.
Between the youth and tot play spaces will be a shaded social hub with picnic tables and USB charging stations where parents can clearly see both play areas.
There will also be a sensory garden separating the two spots with different elevations allowing people in wheelchairs to interact with the garden as well.
You can read more details and see drawings of the park here.
With files from Erika Engel.
