Pemberton Park Playground Replacement
The survey has now closed. Thanks for taking the time to have your say on a new playground coming to Pemberton Park in 2025!
The City of Victoria is developing the design for a new playground to replace the old playground in Pemberton Park, and we asked to hear from you.
Our goals for the new playground include:
Create an inclusive and accessible playground that provides a diversity of play experiences
Expand and enhance play opportunities while preserving existing trees and open space
Compose a design that complements the natural surroundings within the park
We are creating an inclusive and accessible playground through the careful selection of the equipment and site design. Accessible pathways will be built to connect to other areas and amenities in the park such as the washroom building, forest trails, picnic table as well as the sidewalk. Playground equipment will provide play opportunities for all ages and abilities, meeting children where they are at physically and encourages them to seek challenges. There will be spaces for adventurous play, imaginative play and resting, which caters to the variety of ways that children play. Comfort will be a priority with the placement of benches throughout the design. The playground will remain close to the washroom building and drinking fountain.
Barrier-free access will be prioritized by designing level access from pathways to the rubber surfacing. This type of surfacing has been selected because it’s colourful, durable and low maintenance. Sufficient space will be provided between play equipment structures for ease of movement around them. 
An example of the colourful rubber surfacing at Stadacona Park
In-ground trampoline at Stadacona ParkAn online survey was open until September 26, 2024. We also popped up at Children's Festival on September 14 and Fall Fairfield on September 22. How we got here
Pemberton Park is the second largest park in the Gonzales neighbourhood (after Hollywood Park), and is in walking distance from the Rockland, Jubilee and Fairfield neighbourhoods.
The park is well established with large mature trees and open lawn areas. It offers several community amenities including a ball diamond, soccer field, trails, leash-optional area, playground and washrooms.
This project is part of a playground renewal program that aims to upgrade and/or replace playgrounds throughout the city. Staff have developed goals for the playground based on guidance from the Parks and Open Spaces Master Plan, the Urban Forest Master Plan, Canadian Safety Standards for Children’s Play Spaces, best practices in playground design and construction and current international guidelines for creating inclusive play spaces.
Staff have been working with an approved construction budget of $900,000 to develop a new playground that will have the highest play value and safety for children of all ages and abilities. A draft concept design has been developed and will be used to help gather community input.
What decision is being made now?
We wanted to understand the level of community support for the concept design so the final design can be developed during fall 2024.
When will we be seeking public input?
Community engagement on the concept design took place from September 3-26, 2024.
What is the level of public participation?
We work within the International Association of Public Participation’s spectrum of public participation which identifies the level of community involvement in decision-making. The City is engaging at the consult level on this playground improvement project.
The goal is to provide ways for the community to share feedback, ideas and perspectives on decisions or alternatives.
How will input be sought?
There was an online survey and two pop-ups events in the community in September 2024.
Feedback received will inform the final playground design, which will be shared with the community on this page in early 2025.
Construction is expected to begin in spring 2025.
