Neighbourhood residents are growing impatient with two stalled playground projects in Owen Sound, and the city says they should be completed within the next month.
The city published an update this week on its online engagement platform for playground replacements being undertaken at Comm-Er-Ette Park and Owen Heights Park. Work on both playgrounds began in late 2025. Old play structures were removed and new equipment installed, but work came to a halt as winter set in.
New concrete curbs and some pads had even been poured at Comm-Er-Ette Park. But they were subsequently dug up and removed earlier this spring. Nothing’s happened since. The playground at Owen Heights Park also remains fenced off and inaccessible.
Bayshore News spoke to several residents in neighbourhoods near the parks, who expressed frustration with the lack of progress.
A statement from the city says the expectation is these playgrounds will be completed and open by late June or early July.
“After a long winter and reassessment in the spring, it became clear that some of the completed work did not meet the standards required for safety, durability, and accessibility … Crews are returning to complete the projects throughout the month of June, including base preparation, concrete forming and pouring, installation of concrete pads and asphalt walkways, followed by site grading and cleanup,” an online statement from the city says.
Both playgrounds will remain closed until the work is completed, the city says.
Nearly $150,000 was budgeted for each playground replacement. In October 2025, council approved a recommendation to award contracts to Park N Play Design Co. Ltd for a combined value of $286,000, for the supply, delivery and installation of the new playgrounds at Comm-Er-Ette and Owen Heights Parks.
Owen Heights playground, fenced off in early June 2026. (submitted photo)