2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY :

The purpose of this report is to provide Council with a summary of the playground audit, an overview of the existing playground system, an update on playground removals, a schedule for replacements and an evaluation of lifecycle costing for replacements based on asset management best practices.

Since 1989 the overall number of parks with playgrounds in the system has fluctuated from upwards of 168units plus to the current total of 148 and the number of parks has increased from 155 to 209 parks currently. As a best practice, the Parks Department installs play equipment to suit the classification, size and number of children in the area. In general the largest play units are installed in regional or community parks.

The City of Windsor Parks Department adopted the CSA standard in 1990 for the installation, maintenance and inspection of children’s playgrounds. The AODA passed in 2005, impacts the development of children’s play spaces in terms of accessibility, public consultation and the built environment. Starting in January of 2016 all newly constructed and redeveloped play spaces must comply with the standard. In order to comply with this legislation, since 2012 Council has provided capital funding for the installation of accessible playgrounds across the city with a goal to provide 2 units per ward or a total of 20 units.

City Council approved an independent audit of existing playground equipment outlined in report #15932 Removal of Non-Compliant Playground Equipment on March 28, 2012 as per council resolution CR129/2012. Following an RFP process, Safeplay Recreation Incorporated was awarded the contract to conduct out a playground audit utilizing the CSA national Standards. The audit was carried out in the fall of 2013 and the spring of 2014.

Audit Results:

The oldest play unit in the system was installed in 1992 and the most recent in September of 2015.

The 2013 playground audit performed by Safeplay Recreation Inc. included 132 park sites spread across the city. Units that were not included in the audit had either been previously removed or were being installed and were inspected as part of the responsibilities of the playground installer. The information provided by the audit undertaken by Safeplay Recreation Inc. was used to evaluate each unit, identify hazards, and make recommendations to take the necessary actions to correct the deficiencies or remove the unit. Each individual playground report contains a detailed written description of the playground including pictures, maps and an action plan. All hazards/ deficiencies are identified using the letters “A, B or C”:

Of the 132 play units inspected 108 had at least one hazard or condition. The audit reports from each park have been reviewed by the Parks Operations Playground Supervisor and inspectors and appropriate actions are being taken to remedy the noncompliant items. A total of 36 play units have been removed to date based on the audit results. The list of removals includes parks that are proposed for property disposal and will not be replaced until park disposition has been confirmed by Council. The schedule of replacements will be determined by the following criteria: