The natural playground at the Churchill Meadows Community Centre and Sports Park in Mississauga, Ontario, is an obvious extension of the wood materials of the building, designed by MJMA. Upon entering through the Centre’s main doors, the custom Log Jam play structure beckons children through the building to the exterior play space. The building’s interior features massive wood glulam beams; the playground built mainly of Robinia mirror’s the warmth of the wood.
The Community Centre is a destination that sits between a suburban residential area and rural fields. The 50-acre site with a Sports Park includes Sports Fields, Sport Courts, a Skate Park, a Splash Pad and Trails. The playground is immediately adjacent to the Community Centre and includes play for children of all ages and abilities. A hill slide was created from reclaimed topsoil and is shaded by sails designed to keep the sun off of the plastic slide to reduce heat. In time, the newly planted trees will take over the shade responsibility!
The largest play feature is a custom Log Jam, designed with unique features. They include a net with different-sized holes, notched posts to access the higher logs, and logs placed side-by-side to create larger surface space for sitting or hanging out at height.
A smaller Log Jam is suitable for younger children. Two hammocks create additional hang-out spaces.
Churchill Meadows is one of several Earthscape playgrounds in Mississauga. Other playgrounds nearby include Fairwinds Park, Jaycee Park and Paul Coffey Park.