Proposed concepts for the Sandalwood Park redevelopment

Proposed concepts

Councillor Carr’s Office along with the City of Ottawa’s Recreational, Cultural and Facility Planning Department wants to hear from you about the proposed concepts for the redevelopment of the Sandalwood Park.

As a first phase, the proposed upgrades are:

• Splash pad
• Replaced timber wall
• Playground
• Slide and sand pit
• Swings
• New pathway lighting
• Rink light bulbs replaced

Two options (attached) are proposed for the playground and for the splash pad. Under "Options - Comments" below, please indicate your preferred options and any item(s) you think should be added and explain why.

Should you have any questions, please contact Steve Gauthier, or leave them with your comments.

Survey results

A large majority of respondents were members of the public (92%).

The amenities and equipment that are mostly used by the respondents are:

1. Pathway
2. Passive use (grassy area)
3. Play structures
4. Basketball Court
5. Soccer field
6. Sand box
7. Field house
8. Skating rink
9. Parking

The activities that respondents mostly participate in are:

1. Children’s activities
2. Community based activities

Most respondents (75%) use the park from every day to once a month, 37.5% of which a few times a week.

In order of importance, the below amenities and equipment are to be considered for upgrade:

1. Play structures
2. Play areas
3. Pathway
4. Soccer field
5. Slide and sand box
6. Basketball courts
7. Field house
8. Parking lot
9. Baseball diamond
10. Planter

In order of importance, the below amenities and equipment are to be considered for replacement:

1. Play structures
2. Benches
3. Swing set

In order of importance, the below amenities and equipment are to be considered for addition:

1. Splash pad
2. Pickleball courts
3. Tennis courts
4. Land bowling
5. Horseshoe pit

In order of importance, the below amenities and equipment are to be considered for removal:

1. Baseball diamond
2. Sandbox slide
3. Field house

Respondents also suggested the following additions:

1. Trees and plants
2. Garbage bins (cleaner park)
3. Fenced dog park
4. Eating area

Survey

Thank you for agreeing to participate to this survey. It will only take a few minutes to complete all questions. All your answers are private and will remain confidential. The deadline to complete the survey is June 23, 2023.

Sandalwood Park, located at 2850 Sandalwood Drive in the Ledbury-Heron Gate-Ridgemont neighbourhood, is aging and investments are needed to ensure its equipment continues to serve the needs of the existing and future community.

The Park’s amenities and equipment presently consist of:

• Asphalted parking lot
• Lit boarded exterior rink
• Asphalted pathway running east-west
• Two(2) swing sets
• A field house
• Two(2) play areas
• A play structure
• Three(3) park benches for the play areas
• A slide with sand box landing
• Two(2) basketball courts (one having four(4) spectator benches)
• A baseball diamond
• A mini soccer field

Some of the above-mentioned amenities and equipment are in poor condition or obsolete:

• The parking lot and pathway need resurfacing.
• The two swing sets are obsolete and should be replaced. They could also be relocated closer to the play areas. An inclusive swing is needed.
• Some of the field house planter box logs need to be replaced.
• The play structure needs a transfer station to be made accessible. Its platforms need to be replaced as their surface is peeling. There should be play panels at the ground level. The sand should be replaced with accessible mulch.
• An accessible 5-metre diameter turn around surface is needed at the play areas.
• Benches at the play areas are obsolete and need to be replaced.
• The asphalted surface of the south basketball court could be softened. The east basketball post needs to be lowered and straightened. Spectator benches could also be added.
• The baseball diamond stone dust is now completely covered with grass, which leads to think it is rarely used.
• The soccer field needs some regrading. The goal posts need a new coat of paint.
• A park sign is to be installed as there is currently none.

Councillor Carr’s Office along with the City of Ottawa’s Recreational, Cultural and Facility Planning Department wants to hear from you about what should be considered when planning for revitalization of the Sandalwood Park.