Rebuilding Our Neighborhood Playground: Join Us!

The Royal Oak Way playground was once a well-loved gathering place for local families. Several years ago, however, the original play structure was removed because it no longer met current safety standards. It was replaced with a small collection of play equipment intended as a temporary solution. Unfortunately, due to limited resources, that temporary installation remained in place, leaving our community with a playground that no longer meets the needs of today's children.

Today, aside from the school playground, there are no other modern public playgrounds serving the Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge communities, making this site an important opportunity to create a destination for families to gather, play, and connect.

Through extensive community engagement, residents shared a clear vision for a modern, inclusive playground that supports children of all ages and abilities. Survey results showed 97% community support for rebuilding the playground, with families expressing a desire for accessible, engaging play experiences, natural play elements, shaded gathering spaces, and opportunities for children to explore, challenge themselves, and play together. In partnership with RRROCA, families, local businesses, and community partners, the Play Together Project is working to transform this space into a safe, accessible, and welcoming community hub where every child can play, connect, and thrive for generations to come.

The Importance of Playgrounds in Our Community

Playgrounds are more than just a collection of swings and slides; they are vital spaces for childhood development and community bonding. Here are some key reasons why playgrounds matter:

• Physical Health: Playgrounds encourage children to engage in physical activity, helping combat childhood obesity and promoting overall health.

• Social Skills: Playing with peers teaches children important social skills such as sharing, cooperation, and conflict resolution.

• Creativity and Imagination: Playgrounds provide an environment where children can explore their creativity, invent games, and engage in imaginative play.

• Community Connection: A well-maintained playground serves as a gathering place for families, fostering a sense of community and belonging.

  
  

The Current State of Our Playground

Our neighborhood playground has seen better days. While it continues to serve local families, the playground no longer meets the needs of our growing community. Here are some specific issues we face:

• Temporary Equipment – The current playground was intended as a temporary replacement and no longer meets the community's needs.

• Outdated Play Experience – Existing equipment provides limited variety and engagement for today's children.

• Limited Accessibility – There are few inclusive features to support children of all abilities.

• Not Enough for Older Children – The playground lacks challenging equipment that appeals to school-aged children and pre-teens.

• Lack of Shade & Seating – There is minimal shade and limited seating for parents, caregivers, and grandparents.

• No Community Gathering Space – The current layout does not encourage families to gather, socialize, or spend extended time at the park.

• Growing Community Needs – The playground no longer reflects the needs of the growing Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge communities.

The City of Calgary owns and maintains the land where this playground is located, and is in agreement to redeveloping the playground to better suit the needs of our community. While the City of Calgary is unable to fully fund a new playground, they are making a significant contribution to our project. We are working closely with them throughout all phases of this project and greatly value their support. Without them, this playground redevelopment would not be possible.

Community Survey Results

Community input has been at the heart of the Play Together Project from the very beginning. We gathered feedback from both adults and children throughout the Royal Oak and Rocky Ridge communities to better understand how the playground is used today and what families would like to see in the future.

A total of 177 community members participated in the survey, providing valuable ideas and priorities that are helping shape the design of the new playground. Their feedback reflects a shared vision for a modern, inclusive, and engaging space that will serve our community for years to come.

See the full survey results here.

Our Vision for the New Playground

We envision a revitalized playground that meets the needs of our community. Here are some key features we hope to include:

• Inclusive & Accessible Play – Create a playground where children of all ages and abilities can play together.

• Modern Play Equipment – Replace outdated temporary equipment with engaging, high-quality play structures.

• More Challenging Play – Add climbing features, monkey bars, and equipment that appeals to older children.

• Variety of Play Experiences – Include swings, slides, sensory elements, imaginative play, and spaces for active exploration.

• Shade & Seating – Provide comfortable areas for caregivers to gather while children play.

• Natural Play Elements – Incorporate nature-inspired features that encourage creativity and exploration.

• Community Gathering Space – Create a welcoming destination where families, neighbours, and friends can connect.

• A Playground for the Future – Build a safe, durable, and vibrant play space that will serve the community for generations.

  
  
  
  

How You Can Get Involved

Rebuilding our neighborhood playground is a community effort, and we need your help! Here are some ways you can contribute:

Volunteer Your Time

We are always looking for passionate volunteers to join the Play Together Project committee. Whether you have experience in fundraising, event planning, marketing, grant writing, construction, or simply a desire to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you. We value fresh ideas, diverse perspectives, and the unique skills each volunteer brings as we work together to create an incredible playground for our community.

When we are nearing construction, we will be looking for volunteers to help us BUILD the playground (over a period of 2-3 days). We would love your help! Please follow this page for updates and volunteer calls for help.

Donate

Financial contributions are crucial for purchasing new equipment and materials. Here’s how you can help:

• Individual Donations: Every contribution makes a difference. Consider making a one-time donation to help bring our community playground to life. All donations through Parks Foundation are eligible for a tax receipt.

  
  

• Corporate Donations: We offer a variety of recognition opportunities for businesses and organizations that support our work. Options include digital donor recognition, displaying your company name or logo on a temporary or permanent on-site sign, or directing your gift toward the purchase of a specific feature or site amenity. Contact us to discuss the recognition opportunity that best aligns with your organization and philanthropic goals.

Become a RRROCA member

The Rocky Ridge Royal Oak Community Association (RRROCA) has a broad mandate to advocate on behalf of and support the residents who reside in the communities of Rocky Ridge and Royal Oak in NW Calgary. Becoming a member is voluntary and different from mandatory Home Owners Association fees that many residents are required to pay annually (e.g. Rocky Ridge Ranch HOA, Royal Oak Estates, Cascades of Royal Oak, the Lakes at Rocky Ridge)

Becoming a RRROCA member is only $30/household per year! To get your membership click here

As a RRROCA member, you help us:

• Lead community‐improvement projects (like this playground project!)

• Run community sports and recreation programs

• Operate the outdoor rink and fitness park

• Host and support seasonal events that bring neighbours together

• Partner with local businesses and organizations

• Represent residents to Councillors, MLAs, and MPs

• Maintain a strong, resident‐driven voice in local decisions

• Membership also gives you the right to attend, vote, and

participate in RRROCA’s Annual General Meeting.

To check out RRROCA's current Programs and Events click here

Spread the Word

Help us raise awareness about our project by sharing information with your friends and family. Here’s how you can help:

• Social Media: Share our project on your social media platforms to reach a wider audience. Find us on Facebook by following our project page "Play Together Project"

• Community Meetings: Attend local meetings and advocate for our playground project.

  
  

Fundraising and Engagement Events

To support our rebuilding efforts, we will be hosting fundraising and community engagement events throughout the year. We will be sure to update this page when plans are confirmed, please check back!

Past events

April 17 - May 25, 2026 - Google Survey

May 3, 2026 - Chalk the Walk

Upcoming events

July/August 2026 - neighbourhood canvassing

The Timeline for Rebuilding

We understand that rebuilding a playground is a significant undertaking. Here’s a rough timeline of our project:

1. Community Meetings: Gather input and ideas from community members (ongoing)

2. Fundraising: Launch fundraising efforts to gather necessary funds (Present - Jan 2027)

   Design Phase: Work with Parks Foundation to choose a playground vendor and create a preliminary designs (ongoing)

3. Community Feedback: Continue to facilitate ongoing community communication and feedback before making design adjustments and final decisions (ongoing)

4. City of Calgary Approval: As titleholder of the land, City of Calgary has final approval of the design plans and implementation. They will assist with site preparation and equipment removal when we are nearing construction. We are working closely and collaboratively with them throughout the project.

5. Construction: Removal of existing equipment and begin the construction and installation of new equipment (goal of Summer 2027)

6. Grand Opening: Celebrate the completion of the playground with a community event (TBD, Fall 2027)

   
   

The Benefits of a New Playground

Rebuilding our neighborhood playground will have lasting benefits for our community. Here are some anticipated outcomes:

• Increased Usage: A new playground will attract more families, encouraging outdoor play and physical activity.

• Stronger Community Bonds: The playground will serve as a gathering place, fostering friendships and connections among families.

• Enhanced Property Values: A well-maintained playground can increase property values in the surrounding area, benefiting homeowners.

  
  

Join Us in Making a Difference

Rebuilding our neighborhood playground is an opportunity for us to come together as a community. By volunteering your time, donating resources, or simply spreading the word, you can help create a safe and enjoyable space for our children to play and grow.

Let’s work together to bring back the joy of play to our neighborhood. Join us in this exciting journey to rebuild our playground and create a lasting legacy for future generations.

Next Steps

• Attend Our Next Meeting: Join us on [insert date] at [insert location] to discuss our plans and how you can get involved.

• Follow Our Progress: Stay updated on our project by reading updates in the monthly RRROCA newsletter or by following us on Facebook or rrroca.org

• Spread the Word: Share this blog post with your friends and family to raise awareness about our playground rebuilding efforts.

• Become a RRROCA Member: For only $30/household per year, RRROCA supports projects like these, in addition to offering community programs/events, operating the outdoor rink, and advocating to government officials on behalf of our community. Sign up here https://rrroca.getcommunal.com/memberships

  
  

Together, we can make a difference and create a playground that our community can be proud of. Thank you for your support!