Final Design Complete for Hanna Park Playground Rehabilitation

A community event is planned for September 11 at 4:00 p.m. at Hanna Park. Join us in celebrating 25+ years of play, and many more to come. Until further notice, the playground area will be closed as of September 14 to begin construction.

MUSKOKA LAKES, ON, August 26, 2026 – The Township of Muskoka Lakes (“Township”) is moving into the next phase of the Hanna Park Playground Rehabilitation project, with the final playground design now complete and construction scheduled to begin September 14, at which time the playground will be closed until further notice. The surrounding area of Hanna Park will remain open.

The final design follows more than a year of community engagement, independent playground inspections and expert review. On July 29, 2026, Council increased the project budget from $261,300 to $561,300 to support a larger playground that more closely reflects the character and play value of the existing playground.

To fund this increase, Council approved temporarily reallocating funding from the 2026 Wharf Concrete Repair Project. The wharf project will now be considered through the 2027 Capital Budget to proceed in Spring 2027, remaining on track to be completed before the 2027 summer season (see Staff Report for more information).

Working with Earthscape, staff have finalized a design that carries forward many of the features the community values about the existing playground, including timber towers, connected and elevated play, climbing features, slides, swings and plenty of opportunities for imaginative play.

Meaningful pieces of the existing playground will also continue into the new space. Wood in good condition will be repurposed for the picket fence surrounding the new sand play area, alongside the existing commemorative family name plaques.