A real hoot: Massive new play structures at Don River inspired by nature

TORONTO — As the new mouth for the Don River in the Port Lands in Toronto nears completion, work is also underway on new parks that will line the river valley – with some standout structures along the way.

The park on the north side of the new river valley will include distinctive animal structures, with some of them being installed this spring.

The first structure that is currently under construction is the snowy owl play structure.

The owl has a stage built into its belly, and it will be surrounded by seating that looks like a nest, indicates a Waterfront Toronto blog post.

It is meant for kids to perform shows. It also includes sound features such as a drum, bells and talk tubes. The structure is large enough for adults to climb inside.

A reaching racoon structure near the picnic area will give children a place to play within view of their caregivers. Crews are expected to install the raccoon later this spring.

The largest play structure in the park is the 1,600-square-metre “badlands scramble,” which is inspired by the Cheltenham Badlands.

Its wavy terrain will be surrounded by planting beds and a pathway, have three tiers or levels, broken up with flat sections of stone pavement and includes a water feature.

Building the structure involves forming complex outlines out of lumber and steel and then filling them with shotcrete to create a rock-like surface, the blog reads.

WATERFRONT TORONTO — Building the badlands scramble play structure at the mouth of the Don Rover involved forming complex outlines out of lumber and steel, and then filling them with shotcrete to create a rock-like surface.

Crews used a mock-up of the badlands scramble to test their technique and make sure the materials worked as planned.

The new park is expected to open in 2025.

The carved animal play features on the site will incorporate Indigenous stories and culture.

The manufacturer was guided in the choice of species and representation by Indigenous project team members from Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and MinoKamik Collective.

The animals are also dodems, which represent a clan or family line in the Anishnaabe, Ongwehonwe and Huron cultures, with each animal associated with clan characteristics and important community teachings. In the park, there’s a bear, beaver, eagle, turtle, otter wolf and musky fish.