Skip to Content
Close Alert Banner

RMWB Logo RMWB Logo

  • Contact Pulse
  • Participate
  • Business, Planning and Development
    • Business Services and Support
    • Development and Planning
    • Downtown Fort McMurray
    • Flood Mitigation
    • Maps
    • Permits and Resources
    • Procurement
    • Public Notices
    • Safety Codes Permits
    • Signage Regulations
    • Waterfront Park Revitalization
  • Bylaw and Animal Services
    • Animal Services
    • Backyard Hens
    • Bylaws
    • Community Standards
    • Parking
    • Report an Issue
    • Vehicle for Hire
  • Community Services and Social Support
    • Equity and Inclusion
    • Grants and Funding
    • Responding to Homelessness
    • Seniors' Services and Programs
    • Social Support Services
    • Victim Services
    • Volunteer with Emergency Social Services
  • Employment
    • Current Opportunities
    • Firefighter and Paramedic Recruitment
    • Human Resources
  • Events and Involvement
    • Canada Day
    • Combative Sports
    • Community Events
    • Event Permits
    • MACOY
    • Participate Wood Buffalo
    • WinterPLAY
    • Wood Buffalo Volunteers
  • Financial Services
    • Accounts Payable
    • Assessments
    • Asset Management
    • Change of Address Form
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Natural Resource Extraction Support Tax Incentive Bylaw
    • Non-Profit Organization Tax Exemptions
    • Paying Property Taxes
    • Property Tax Sale
    • School Support
    • Tax Rates
    • Tax Refund Requests
  • Fire, Police and Emergency Services
    • 9-1-1
    • Alerts
    • Emergency Medical Services
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Hazards
    • Fire Codes and Permits
    • Fire Departments
    • Fire Prevention and Safety
    • FireSmart
    • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    • Vulnerable Persons Registry
  • Garbage, Recycling, and Disposal
    • Garbage and Recycling Calendar
    • What Goes Where?
    • Curbside Collection Bins
    • Recycling Depots
    • Rural Waste Collection
    • Seasonal Programs
    • Soil Disposal
    • Bear-Resistant Bins Program
    • RMWB Landfill
  • Indigenous and Rural Communities
    • Anzac
    • Conklin
    • Draper
    • Fort Chipewyan
    • Fort Fitzgerald
    • Fort McKay
    • Fort McMurray
    • Gregoire Lake Estates
    • Janvier
    • Saprae Creek Estates
    • Rural Bus Schedules and Fees
  • Mayor, Council and Administration
    • Accountability and Transparency
    • Boards and Committees
    • Bylaws
    • Council
    • Elections
    • Mayor
    • Plans, Reports and Studies
    • Policies
    • Public Notices
  • Parks, Recreation and Heritage
    • Parks and Facilities Map
    • BearSmart
    • Cemeteries
    • Communities in Bloom
    • Community Cleanup
    • Community Gardens
    • Community Rinks
    • Culture, Heritage & Public Art
    • Facility Rentals
    • Flag and Lighting Requests
    • Off-Highway Vehicles
    • Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
    • Trees
    • Urban Wildlife
  • Roads and Construction
    • Capital Projects
    • Construction Map
    • Construction Projects
    • Draper Slope Stability Reports
    • Parking
    • Route Haul Permits
    • Snow Clearing and Disposal
    • Street Sweeping
    • Winter Roads
    • Contractor Training
  • Transit
    • Bike and Ride
    • Fares and Passes
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Low-Income Fare Transit Program (LIFT)
    • Rural Bus Schedules and Fees
    • Safety and Etiquette
    • School Transit Service
    • Specialized Transit
    • Statutory Holidays Schedule
    • Transit News and Alerts
  • Truth and Reconciliation
    • Act
    • Calls to Action
    • Learn
  • Utilities and Water
    • Billing
    • Change of Address Form
    • Commercial Services
    • Fat, Oil and Grease
    • Open or Close a Utility Account
    • Responsible Sewer Use
    • Rural Water & Sewer Service
    • Sewer Backups
    • Utility Changes
    • Water Conservation
    • Water Delivery, Bulk Water & Septic Pickup
    • Water Metering
    • Water Outages and Maintenance
HomeParks, Recreation and HeritageParks, Trails and Green SpacesPlayground Safety and Accessibility
  • Open new window to share this page via Facebook Facebook
  • Open new window to share this page via Twitter Twitter
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn Pinterest
  • Open new window to share this page via LinkedIn LinkedIn
  • Email this page Email

Playground Safety and Accessibility

Keeping playgrounds safe for everyone to enjoy is a top priority for the Municipality. There is a dedicated Parks team that regularly inspects playgrounds and tests equipment to ensure they meet the rigorous safety standards and regulations set forth by the Canadian Playground Safety Institute (CPSI). All playground designs and upgrades follow CPSI standards and regulations.

If you have safety concerns with a playground or would like to bring something to the attention of the Municipality, please call Pulse at 780-743-7000 or submit a report online at rmwb.ca/pulse.

Find Playgrounds Near You

Playground Accessibility

The Municipality is committed to building an inclusive region. Accessible design for public spaces is a priority for all capital projects, including parks and playgrounds. Many of the recently updated playgrounds in the region include accessible features, such as:

  • Ramp access
  • Americans with Disabilities Act Standards for Accessible Design (ADA) swing seats
  • Brava universal and face-to-face swings
  • Sign language and Braille alphabet boards
  • Contrasting colors for visual aids
  • Wooden borders have been replaced with graded concrete borders to provide a smooth transition into the playgrounds

The following parks have playgrounds with many of these features:

  • Syncrude Athletic Park
  • Dr. KA Clark 
  • Lions Park
  • Christina Gordon Playground
  • Father Beauregard Playground
  • Dickinsfield & Sister Mary Shared Playground

The Municipality is always exploring ways to make public spaces more inclusive and welcome any recommendations by the public. If you have suggestions, please call Pulse at 780-743-7000 or submit a report online at rmwb.ca/pulse.

Playground Surfacing

To ensure playgrounds continue to be safe and available, the Municipality has discontinued rubber surfacing and uses Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF) for all new playgrounds and rehabilitation projects.

Using EWF enhances the safety of playgrounds and is best practice for playgrounds throughout Alberta, with many Municipalities using the product. EWF is aligned with CPSI safety standards. It is wheelchair accessible, and meets the accessibility requirements set forth by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). It is also much easier and less expensive to maintain than other surfaces, such as rubber tiles or pour-in-place rubber.

The Municipal Parks team performs regular maintenance on EWF and continuously inspects playground surfaces. Drop tests are done with specialized equipment to ensure the ground can absorb most of the impact from a fall at heights to prevent a serious injury. 

Engineered Wood Fiber (EWF)

Most playgrounds in the RMWB use Engineered Wood Fiber as surfacing. This material is aligned with Canadian Playground Safety Institute (CPSI) safety standards, and in our region it has consistently received a higher safety rating than rubber on surface tests. It is wheelchair accessible, and meets the accessibility requirements set forth by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Using EWF enhances the safety of playgrounds and is best practice for playgrounds throughout Alberta, with many Municipalities using the product. It is specifically designed to ensure accessibility, be easy on the feet, not leave splinters, and is sanitary. In addition, it is easier and much less expensive to maintain.

EWF will continue to be used to resurface parks in the region as it is a superior and safer product than rubber.

Rubber Surfacing

Rubber surfacing was initially installed in many of the parks in the region as it was considered a safer alternative to grass, concrete or sand. However, our region’s weather (long cold winters and hot summers), deteriorates the rubber surfacing quickly. This requires frequent and expensive maintenance and replacement of the rubber surfacing to ensure our playgrounds remain safe.

When a playground fails an inspection or safety check, it needs to be fully or partially closed for repairs to ensure it’s safe for everyone.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Why was rubber surfacing replaced with Engineered Wood Fiber (wood chips)?
EWF is easy to install, easy to replace and can be stockpiled for future maintenance. The safety of rubber surfacing starts to be compromised when it deteriorates, and our region's harsh winters and hot summers cause rubber surfacing to deteriorate quickly. Pour-in-place rubber typically has a shorter lifespan than playground equipment, which poses maintenance challenges. Professional rubber surfacing companies need to be hired from outside the region for even minor repairs, while EWF can be maintained by RMWB staff. Using EWF will allow for easier maintenance of playground surfacing and keep playgrounds in use, instead of under repair.
How are playground designs determined?
The RMWB conducts stakeholder engagements with schools to determine specific school needs and how the equipment can better accommodate the needs of the children and the school. This information is included in the criteria for playground designs. Playground designs are selected with the guidance of the Parks Master Plan, which was created with extensive public engagement.
How can I request a repair or upgrade to a playground?
Please call Pulse at 780-743-7000 to request a repair or if you notice something unsafe on the playground structure. Keep an eye out for public engagement opportunities, or through our social media accounts.
There are unsafe and inappropriate activities happening at a park, what should I do?
We take safety concerns very seriously. Bylaw Services patrols parks and respond to reports of inappropriate activities. Please call Pulse at 780-743-7000.
Is there a list of all the playgrounds? 
Yes! You can find all our playgrounds, parks and recreation spaces on the Parks Map. The map also highlights features at the playgrounds, such as washrooms, picnic areas and more. You can use the search function to find the perfect park for you and your family.

 

Subscribe to page updates
Parks, Recreation and Heritage
  • Parks and Facilities Map
  • BearSmart
  • Cemeteries
  • Communities in Bloom
    Toggle Section Communities in Bloom Menu
    • Community Gardening Day
  • Community Cleanup
    Toggle Section Community Cleanup Menu
    • Adopt-A-Trail
  • Community Gardens
  • Community Rinks
  • Culture, Heritage & Public Art
    Toggle Section Culture, Heritage & Public Art Menu
    • Street Banner Program
    • Jubilee Gallery
  • Facility Rentals
    Toggle Section Facility Rentals Menu
    • All Facilities Map
    • Jubilee Plaza
  • Flag and Lighting Requests
  • Off-Highway Vehicles
    Toggle Section Off-Highway Vehicles Menu
    • OHV Rules and Regulations
  • Parks, Trails and Green Spaces
    Toggle Section Parks, Trails and Green Spaces Menu
    • Birchwood Trails
    • Invasive Goldfish Management
    • Managing Weeds and Pests
    • Memorial Recognition Bench and Tree Program
    • Mowing and Grass Cutting
    • Parks and Trails Etiquette
    • Playground Safety and Accessibility
    • Kiyām Community Park
  • Trees
    Toggle Section Trees Menu
    • Tree Species List
  • Urban Wildlife

Contact us

Services
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo footer logo

Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray Alberta T9H 2K4

Phone: 780-743-7000
Toll free: 1-800-973-9663

Subscribe to News

Stay up to date on RMWB news,
programs and operations
by subscribing to our news categories.

Subscribe

Social Media

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn

Website Resources

  • Access to Information and Privacy
  • Logo Request Form
  • Sitemap
  • Social Media
  • Website Feedback

Copyright © .

By GHD Digital

Close Old Browser Notification
Browser Compatibility Notification
It appears you are trying to access this site using an outdated browser. As a result, parts of the site may not function properly for you. We recommend updating your browser to its most recent version at your earliest convenience.