Community Engagement 

New Playground Survey

Posted July 27 2021. Survey closed on Friday, Aug 27 2021.

Thank you for taking the park survey! We received over 280 responses. We will be forwarding the results and your comments to the City of Calgary for further planning. 

The existing TPCA park between 29th Ave. and 30 Ave NE will be rebuilt and will include an updated playground area and equipment due to the drainage improvements slated to start mid August 2021

The playground should be rebuilt in 2022.

Tuxedo Park Community Association is reaching out to the community regarding your preference for the new playground’s theme. We were presented with two options from the City of Calgary.

Figure 1 (above).  Recreational Area Concept and Playground Enlargement

 The play structure for children ages 2-5 is located to the east, near the seating area under the shade trees, while the larger structure for ages 5-12 is located to the west. Equipment for different types of play fills the space between them, and focuses on swinging, bouncing, and spinning, offering both fully accessible and inclusive play opportunities. Ground level play is also provided near the seating area, including activity and sensory panels. The playground is tied together thematically through the use of consistent or complimentary materials, colours, and style of play elements.

Playground Equipment Theme Options:

There are two theme options available for the playground: “Outer Space” (Option 1) and “Modern City” (Option 2). 

Option 1 is a unique, contemporary design with all play elements at or near ground level. With features being in a horizontal layout, the footprint is somewhat larger than the tower design in Option 2. Individual play pods provide an imaginative play environment for smaller groups and more individualized games, while larger groups can span multiple pods and connecting features. The pods and platforms are connected by ropes, bridges, grab bars, and other obstacle type challenges. The emphasis is on exploration from pod to pod and the physical challenge of traversing between them. 

Figure 2 (below) shows examples of the playground equipment included in Option 1.

Option 2 (below) is also a contemporary design based on a more traditional playground structure. The structure has a vertical design with different features offered on the various levels. Play in smaller groups can be accommodated on the multiple levels, as well as larger group play over the entire structure and various obstacles connecting back to ground level. An exciting three storey, enclosed slide from the top of the structure to the ground below as well as a second storey slide are also provided. The emphasis is adventure and excitement; the physical challenge of scaling the structure and rush of sliding back to ground level. 


Figure 3 (below) shows examples of the playground equipment included in Option 2.

Option 2

Both options will include similar elements including a zip-line, climbable structures, slides, swings and multi age-appropriate components.

Accessibility Notes: Both options include at least one fully accessible play element, as well as many inclusive play opportunities. Fully accessible equipment is proposed to accommodate children who rely on a mobility device on a permanent basis. In both designs, a carousel play feature would be a fully accessible option. Ground level activities are also proposed with each larger play structure, with activity and sensory panels designed as fully accessible play opportunities. 

Inclusive equipment is designed for use by all children regardless mobility restrictions. All children could enjoy the same play spaces that typically includes ground level play features such as nets, tables, benches, etc. Transfer points are also provided on so that a child who is able to leave their wheelchair may access elevated equipment such as slides and platforms.  Option 1 provides a zipline which can be fitted with a bucket seat as an inclusive feature.  This feature is not available on Option 2.

All playground equipment will conform to current CSA safety standards and will contain inclusive and accessible elements as part of the design. 

Note: Final design subject to change.

If you have any questions about the playground or the Tuxedo Park Community Drainage Improvement program please contact 311 by calling, online or via the app.

Thank you for participating in our survey.

Park Envisioning and Dry Pond

 FAQs:

Tuxedo Park Community Association has created a FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions to help share information on the Park changes and the ongoing Flood Mitigation work in our neighborhood. 

What is happening to the park:

The City, as part of storm water improvement program will be increasing the size of storm water pipes and will be creating a dry pond to reduce flooding during extreme weather events. 

Why is this dry pond needed:

The community of Tuxedo has undergone several flooding events in the past 15 years. These localized flooding events Due to micro-cell storms, we can experience 50 to 100 mm rainfall over a few hours. The existing storm water system cannot handle these events, resulting in overland flooding and flooding due to sewer and sump pump back-ups. The proposed works will allow the system to handle 1 in 50 year events, rather than the current 1 in 5 year events. The use of a dry pond to detain water is best practice. 

Why are the trees and playground being removed?

This is part of the design developed by the city of Calgary. For further information please contact [email protected]

What has the Tuxedo Park Community Association done to date:

We’ve been engaging with the city and have been pushing the city to develop an adequate plan that: 

  • Replaces all amenities removed. 
  • Maintains a park that can meet the expectations of the park in the Local Area Plan. 
  • Provides clear communication to the community and impacts and long term plans.
  • Access to nearby amenities during construction.

The city has an Engage Framework and Tools to address how they communicate with and engage stakeholders. It can be found here: https://s3.ca-central-1.amazonaws.com/hdp.ca.prod.app.cgy-engage.files/1314/6376/8116/Engage_Framework.pdf

Concerns?

Please contact the city [email protected] and our City Councilor

I have heard the park may be closed for over a year, does that mean no playground nearby for my child?

The TPCA is pushing that the city minimize disruption to the community by:

  • Prioritizing the replacement of amenities and listening to the community on how best to replace them
  • Providing safe linkages to nearby amenities, such as additional safe crossings of Edmonton Trail

What will happen to the trees removed?

Trees planted in the park are a result of the 2000 Local Area Redevelopment Plan. The trees and playground are a result of that engagement. The current plan is to replace the trees 2 for 1 in surrounding communities. However, we know that Tuxedo lacks a similar canopy to other neighboring communities and the priority should be to replace the trees in the community. 

 

I still have concerns, what can I do?

Contact your City Councilor, city council, and the mayor and make it clear that this park and the amenities are important and not secondary to the community. Contact your MLA and make it clear that provincial funding to address the storm water issues should not end up degrading the core park in our community. 

Contacts:

City Councillor:

Druh Farrell, Ward 7 Councillor 403-268-2430 or send an email

You can also send this to all the other members of council. 

https://cocooc.microsoftcrmportals.com/comment/?ward=7

 

MLA Contact:

Jeremy Nixon, Constituency phone 403-216-5430, Legislature phone: 780-643-1039, Email [email protected]

 

Questions about the work: [email protected]