Construction of the MacPherson Park Inclusive Playground is planned for September 2026, pending final design completion and procurement timelines.
MacPherson Park Inclusive Playground
MacPherson Park is being transformed into a fully accessible, inclusive, destination-style play space that will serve families of all abilities for years to come. With support from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and Municipal funding, the new park will be rebuilt in 2026 and designed to offer a high-quality, barrier-free experience for residents and visitors.
This project aims to create a signature recreation space on Kincardine’s waterfront - one that reflects community priorities, modern accessibility standards, and long-term durability.
Why This Project Matters
The current playground equipment is aging and no longer meets the needs of today’s families. With new funding opportunities through Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, the Municipality has the chance to create a more inclusive play space - one that will support physical activity, sensory play, social interaction, and accessibility for children of all abilities.
explore MacPherson Park Inclusive Playground
Updated Playground Concept Design
Using feedback from the community, the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and project partners, the preferred playground concept has been refined into a detailed design.
The concept illustrations below show the proposed playground layout and key features. This design is being shared for final community feedback as the project team fine tunes the plan before construction.
The playground will remain within its current footprint at MacPherson Park, with the lower portion of the park remaining unchanged. No trees are planned to be removed, and new plantings are included as part of the landscaping design. The new playground surfacing will be 100% poured-in-place rubber for accessibility.
Final Design Feedback
Share your Feedback!
The Municipality is inviting residents to review the updated concept design for the MacPherson Park Inclusive Playground and share final feedback before the design is finalized.
This short survey focuses on the overall layout, shade options, and surrounding park features. Feedback will help the project team identify any final considerations as the design moves toward construction.
Engagement Session Follow-up
What We Heard
Thank you to everyone who attended the first engagement session for the MacPherson Park Inclusive Playground. Participants reviewed several concept mock-ups and shared feedback on what matters most in an inclusive play space.
Common design considerations shared by participants included:
- Ramped Structure was the most popular design
- Need more swings and more variety of swing types
- Shade within the play area is very important
- Opportunities for Accessible access to the playground
Accessibility and inclusion remain core requirements of this project. The playground must include elements that support physical and sensory play and allow children using mobility devices to play alongside friends and family.
Based on the feedback received, one concept generated the highest level of interest and will be used as a starting point as design work continues. Community input from this session will help inform Kincardine’s concept options.
Project notes:
- No trees are planned to be removed as part of this project.
- The playground will remain within its current footprint (focusing on the upper area of the park).
Additional opportunities for public input will be shared as the project progresses. Next steps will include consultation with school groups, the accessibility advisory committee, and Jumpstart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the impact to users be during construction? Will that path be blocked?
The asphalt pathway will be closed and the area around the park will be fenced off.
What will the playground surface be made of?
The new playground surfacing will be 100% poured-in-place rubber for accessibility.
No trees are planned to be removed as part of this project. New plantings are included in the landscaping plan to enhance shade and the overall park setting.
Will the playground stay in the same location?
Yes. The playground will remain within its current footprint in the upper portion of MacPherson Park. The lower area of the park will remain unchanged.
How was the playground design selected?
The preferred concept was shaped through public engagement, community survey responses, consultation with the Accessibility Advisory Committee, and discussions with project partners. These inputs helped identify key priorities such as accessibility, inclusive play, shade, and a range of play opportunities.
Residents can review the concept illustrations and complete the final community survey available on this project page during the engagement period.
Contact the Project Team
Mike Di Giovanni
Manager, Parks and Facilities
Municipality of Kincardine
mdigiovanni@kincardine.ca
519-396-3491 x 7315
Contact Us
The Municipality of Kincardine
1475 Concession 5, R.R.
#5, Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X6
Phone: 519-396-3468
F.: 519-396-8288
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