by New World Park Solutions, Playworld Rep Agency Partner
The Park of Hope, an inclusive playground recently constructed in Ontario, Canada, was inspired by the founder of Rachel’s Kids, Dr. Rachel Navaneelan. Rachel’s Kids is a charitable organization that promotes hope and opportunity for children in need through community programs, education, and compassionate outreach.
The playground’s success also required the vision and construction expertise of New World Park Solutions, Playworld’s representative in Ontario, Canada. Together with the community, they made the Park of Hope a symbol of what is possible when ideas of belonging and inclusion are transformed into a welcoming, joy-filled play environment.
“When the [playground] idea was first conceptualized, I just jumped in with both feet because I really think it embodies everything that we stand for: inclusion, opportunity, and love,” said Sharon Miller, a long-serving board member of Rachel’s Kids. “Playworld [through New World Park Solutions] had a design layout that just blew us away. It was an easy choice.”
Collaboration Between Community PartnersFrom the earliest planning stages, New World Park Solutions worked in partnership with Rachel’s Kids and the City of Cornwall. The project focused on creating a place where people of all ages and abilities would have the opportunity to engage in meaningful play.
“Working on this project was very special,” said Wendy Hudgins, Territory Manager for GTA North and Eastern Ontario at New World Park Solutions. “There was such a strong, shared commitment to inclusion from the beginning, and you could feel that it was about more than a playground—it was about creating belonging for the whole community. I am incredibly proud to have been part of bringing that vision to life.”
Completed in two phases, the playground features sensory-rich Playworld equipment, rubberized unitary inclusive surfacing, and barrier-free pathways, helping reduce many of the challenges families often experience at traditional playgrounds. One key focal point of the Park of Hope is the Mighty Descent slide, which, at 2.19 metres tall, is the first slide of its magnitude ever designed.
Another distinctive piece of equipment is the Quito® freestanding net climber, which takes playground participants on a journey to the centre of the web. Inspired by Quito, Ecuador—the capital city closest to the equator and the second highest above sea level—the structure stands at an impressive 4.74 metres high.
Inclusive Play Equipment That Supports IndependencePark of Hope includes a range of inclusive play pieces that support independent play for wheelchair users. Equipment such NEOS®, the Accessible Whirl, Concerto, and Aeroglider allow children to engage fully without needing to transfer from their chairs. Another standout structure is the Unity® Dome, which offers three levels of challenge and integrated sensory components. Its design ensures that individuals with significant disabilities still have meaningful opportunities to explore, engage, and experience the joy of play alongside their peers.
The playground is rated for 296 users with 187 active play events to choose from, including a fitness park area and outdoor gym that attracts a wide range of visitors, including local dog walkers. Each playground element was selected to support a wide range of physical, sensory, cognitive, and social needs while encouraging children and caregivers to participate together in shared play experiences.
“I think fully accessible, inclusive parks are important because they inspire a future where every child feels valued,” said Miller.
Recognition as a Leading Cross-Generational, Inclusive Play SpaceThe Park of Hope has been certified by the Let Kids Play organization as an accessible and inclusive play space that demonstrates what communities can achieve when thoughtful design and inclusive values guide a shared vision.
In the first summer after opening, the park welcomed an average of 200 to 300 visitors each day for playdates, birthday parties, family picnics, day camps, field trips, and more. Its incredible success has made it one of Cornwall Tourism Magazine’s must-see locations for travellers visiting the area.
Interested in creating an inclusive, intragenerational playground in your community? Contact our Playworld Canadian team in your province to bring your vision to life.
