Construction Begins on New Accessible Playground at Optimist Memorial Park
Exciting improvements are underway at Optimist Memorial Park (1075 Ypres Avenue) as construction begins on a new, large, accessible, nature-forest themed playground. The new playground comes as part of the City’s innovative and responsive Playground Replacement Program, and will replace the existing equipment, creating a more inclusive, accessible, and engaging space for children and families to enjoy.
The project includes:
- A new large accessible, nature-forest themed playground
- Rubber safety surfacing
- A new perimeter concrete sidewalk
- New site furnishings
- Drainage improvements
Construction is scheduled to take place from the beginning of July through mid-August 2026, weather permitting.
For the safety of residents and construction crews, the playground area will be closed throughout the construction period. The City’s Parks team kindly requests that residents stay away from these areas during the construction project and appreciates your cooperation.
This $466,000 project is in addition to the $16.3 million in investments to replace 35 neighbourhood playgrounds across the community and also create a new destination “super playground” at Lanspeary Park. Previously approved by City Council and reflecting ongoing investment in playground renewal, accessibility, and parks improvements, the Playground Replacement Program includes a mix of small, medium, and large playgrounds strategically distributed across Windsor neighbourhoods to improve access to modern and inclusive recreation opportunities for families city-wide. A full list of parks included in the replacement program is available online at CityW.ca/playgrounds.
The City’s 2026 budget includes a 0% municipal tax levy increase, a $2.26 billion 10-year capital plan, and over $317 million in investments for 2026 alone. This includes $29.2 million for community services like parks, recreation, facilities, and culture.
Learn more about City of Windsor parks at CityWindsor.ca, or contact 311 for more information.