Oshawa children transform empty lot into dream playground

The project at 777 Wilson Road marks the end of a long hiatus for the co-operative, which had been without a playground since 2017 when aging equipment was removed for safety. To ensure the new facility met the actual needs of its users, organizers invited local children to draft their own designs months before construction began. These drawings—featuring climbing walls, slides, and ramped entries—served as the blueprint for the final build.

This initiative serves roughly 50 children living within the co-operative and provides a new hub for over 500 others residing within a 15-minute walk. For Laura Reid, vice president of the Maple Glen Housing Co-operative, the transformation represents more than just new equipment; it turns years of childhood frustration into a lasting community fixture. The build coincides with the 20th anniversary of the partnership between Foresters Financial and KABOOM!, an organization currently marking three decades of efforts to address playspace inequity.