The DTAH design for the playground of City of Toronto daycare project (2533 Kipling Ave.) was based on the principles of nature-based play, involved a peer review by Evergreen’s Learning Grounds staff, and includes creative play areas for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Unique to this design is a stormwater management practice of tile draining, to capture rainwater by infiltrating it into the ground across the playground, resulting in no loss of play time outside due to ponding and freezing (a common safety problem). The layout includes curved shapes and dividing elements that make each space seem larger, and allow the children and caregivers to see what is happening across the playground. Deciduous trees and shade structures provide a variety of shaded play and sitting areas, and the planting design included ‘plants for play’ (for loose parts play opportunities). The project is showcased as an example of what the City wishes to see in their child care centres, and is often visited on educational tours by people working in this sector.

The landscape designs for this project were done by Sheila in 2010, while at DTAH, working closely with Peter Smith and John Consolati, and Children’s Services, City of Toronto. (Rendered site plan image above courtesy of DTAH.)