At the heart of every family-friendly community is a playground, the best place where kids can have fun and expend some excess energy and where parents can establish the bonds of the neighbourhood. It’s an essential amenity, and its design is ever evolving.

Community playgrounds may provide hours of fun for children, but their design has become serious business for developers as they stretch out their imaginations to provide the most engaging and inclusive tot lots for families.

Today’s play structures in Edmonton’s new communities aren’t just the swings and slides of yesterday, but more interactive, accessible and safe. Many use recycled rubber for surfaces to avoid scrapes, and modern technology to light up playful imagination even more.

But it’s not all fun and games when it comes to designing these playgrounds. We spoke with a couple of Edmonton’s developers to see what goes into planning this most integral building block of today’s communities.

“Playgrounds are one of the first tangible signs that a community is truly coming to life,” says Daisy Lieu, Division Marketing Manager for Rohit Communities. “For us, providing residents with a quality outdoor amenity they can enjoy right away is a priority from day one. It gives neighbours a reason to get outside, connect with each other, and start building community.”

Play and grow

According to Kimberly Walker, Marketing Manager at Qualico Communities, the playground isn’t some afterthought that’s put in at the last minute in a community. Rather, careful thought is given to its planning.

“At Qualico Communities, playgrounds are seen as more than just a feature. While they’re not a required element, we intentionally invest in them because they bring value and help make a community feel like home.”

It’s the bonds that playgrounds can create that is important, she adds. “Playgrounds create those everyday moments. In new communities especially, those shared spaces matter. They help build connection early on and contribute to a stronger sense of belonging. That’s why they are a consistent part of how we plan communities.”

Qualico Communities is one of the biggest developers in Alberta with close to 20 current active developments in the Edmonton area alone. The developer has always believed in having amenities already in place in their communities even before the first residents come in. One of the most important is the playground, and they’re approach in their design is noteworthy.

“For us, this starts long before construction,” Walker says. “Playgrounds are considered part of the overall vision for a community and are designed to feel intentional and connected rather than just an add-on. We work closely with partners to make sure each space fits the theme of the community and how people will use it day-to-day.”

She says their designs have evolved to bring in more interactive elements. “There’s been a shift toward more interactive, experience-driven play features that go beyond traditional swings and slides and encourage creativity, movement, and social interaction.”

One of their newest and most innovative yet is the Yalp Memo playground in Marquis.

“While we put thought into every playground we design, a standout is Marquis in northeast Edmonton. Marquis is home to Western Canada’s first Yalp Memo interactive play system. It’s a great example of how playground design is evolving, combining physical activity with interactive, game-based elements that engage kids in a different way.”

A Yalp Memo playground is an interactive, outdoor play installation that merges video games with physical activity. It is made up of glowing LED pillars arranged in a circle that function as giant 360-degree touchscreens, accompanied by audio and visual feedback that can be programmed for different play activities like tag or even educational activities like math and spelling.

“At the end of the day, that’s what we’re aiming to create in every community, places where people naturally gather, spend time, and feel connected,” Walker says.

Go to liveinmarquis.com to find out more about this new community, and at qualicocommunitiesedmonton.com for more on their other developments in the region.

Play and learn

Rohit Communities has a long history of developing many of Alberta’s best loved communities and in their latest developments in the Edmonton region –Cambrian in Sherwood Park; Kinglet Gardens in north west Edmonton; and Chérot in St. Albert – amenities remain the priority. The playground has always been a central component in all of them.

Lieu says the developer believes playgrounds foster a sense of community, providing a gathering space for families and promotes social interactions and neighbourly bonding.

“Additionally, there is a lot of development and therapeutic growth that can happen in a playground environment. For example, children can improve their strength and gross motor skills in a playground setting, learn body awareness, sensory regulation, executive functioning skills and build on self-esteem.”

Cambrian prides itself as one of the most exclusive enclaves in Sherwood Park, where homes offer an escape from the urban jungle into an urbane, peaceful residential neighborhood that works with nature rather than against it.

“Cambrian is a ravine community where you find everything in one place,” says Scott Rudman, Senior Project Manager, Rohit Land Development.

The kick off for Kinglet Garden was such an eye opener, as the playground featured prominently at the launch of the community. “It was a big hit for the kids,” Lieu says.

The Kinglet Gardens playground was intentionally designed to promote physical activity and fitness through play. It promotes fitness in youths through 6 elements (balancing, spinning, brachiating, sliding, climbing, and swinging). “The park has become the heart of the Kinglet neighbourhood that enables and promotes community building,” says Senior Project Manager, Leanne Ure. “While children have fun, they can also learn how to grow veggies and fruit in the Community Garden.”

The Paris playground in Chérot was an instant hit when it opened. A definite highlight is the specially crafted replica of the Eiffel Tower, standing at 25 feet tall, instantly catching the eye as you enter the neighborhood!

“The quaint replica lanterns scattered throughout the playground add to the French-inspired ambiance felt throughout the area,” says Senior Project Manager, Jim Killoh. “We are eagerly anticipating the planning phase for the next playground in Chérot, slated for development in 4-5 years.”

The Cambrian Playground in Sherwood Park has definitely become a big draw in the community, drawing even residents from neighbouring areas to use the play structure. Drawing inspiration from the vast fields of wheat that resemble oceans in Alberta, this unique playground is designed to evoke a sense of movement even when standing still.

“It stands out as the first playground in Strathcona County to prominently feature natural materials. With its innovative design, the Cambrian Playground integrates parkour-style elements for more advanced play, while also offering many opportunities for climbing activities,” Lieu says.

For more information about these Rohit developments, go to rohitgroup.com