Can a playground transform a community? “Absolutely,” says parent and community volunteer Rohan Crown. Crown helped bring a stunning new vandal resistant playground to a downtown community.

The aging wooden playground structure in this neighbourhood had been condemned by the city so kids could no longer play on it. The structure had become an eyesore and a magnet for vandalism and loitering. Parents formed a committee and started planning. They wanted to create a stand-out play space that would make the community proud and improve their public image. They were aiming for something showy and inspiring. But they also needed a vandal resistant playground structure that would stand up to the demands of an inner-city setting.

By combining classic favourites with a large net structure in a sophisticated neutral colour scheme, the Blue Imp team created a show-stopping playground. This structure is loaded with fun for all ages!

On the practical side, we kept the design as transparent as possible. This improved visibility, prevented hiding spots and made it easier to supervise. Flat surfaces were kept to a minimum to discourage loitering, roofs were avoided and steel construction ensured long-term durability.

The end result is a truly spectacular, yet vandal resistant playground! The park now draws people from all over the city and is gaining admiration from other communities. Crown believes the playground is one step toward a brighter future for his community.

“We look at it with joy and satisfaction,” says Crown. “To some it’s just a park, but for these kids it gives hope.”