What we learned

Why we engaged

Each year, the City of Kingston allocates funding through the Parks and Shoreline budget to renovate existing parks, improve accessibility and usability, and replace park assets that have reached the end of their life cycle.

As part of the 2026 park renovation program, Hudson Park will receive a new playground and accessible seating areas with picnic tables. A multi-use pathway with lighting will also be added to improve connections between Pembridge Crescent and Hudson Drive.

How we engaged

In March 2026, the City met with the community at an in-person engagement session and launched a survey on Get Involved Kingston, providing residents with an opportunity to review the proposed park improvements and provide feedback on their preferred playground equipment.

An on-line video presentation of the project and information panels were also provided to help participants understand the proposed improvements and changes to the park.

What we heard

The survey received 60 responses. The survey responses are summarized below.

Question 1: What do you like about Hudson Park?

Respondents most often valued Hudson Park as a convenient, family-friendly neighbourhood green space. Key strengths included its central location and connections within the subdivision, large open areas, mature trees and shade, and its quiet setting away from major roads. The playground was frequently identified as a major asset, particularly the swings, sand area, climbing equipment, and play options for both younger and older children.

Residents also emphasized the park’s value for year-round recreation and community connection. The toboggan hill, to the south, is widely used and seen as a signature winter feature, while the baseball diamond, open play field, walking paths, and seating areas support informal sport, walking, gathering, and neighbourhood interaction. Overall, comments reflect strong support for retaining the park’s variety of play features, open green character, mature trees, and pathway connections.

Question 2: What age group should the park improvements focus on?

Question 3: Please rank the age groups that the playground equipment should target, from most preferred (1) to least preferred (4).

1. Two to 5 years

2. Five to 12 years old

3. 18 months to 2 years

4. 12 years and older

Question 4: What type of play equipment would you like to see included? Please rank from most preferred (1) to least preferred (7).

1. Play structure
2. Swings
3. Climber
4. See-saw / Spring toys
5. Spinner
6. Sensory and tactile play
7. Play panel

Question 5: Please provide comments on accessibility features for residents with disabilities that could be incorporated into the design, such as sensory and active play components.

The strongest and most repeated theme was the need for improved, reliable, accessible pathways. Responses included requests for firm, stable paths suitable for wheelchairs, strollers, walkers, and other mobility devices, and of sufficient width to allow for winter maintenance equipment. Many also emphasized the need for consistent maintenance, including snow clearing and ice control, as well as improvements to muddy or uneven pathway conditions to better support year-round access. Improved connections to surrounding streets, schools, bus stops, and park entrances were also identified as important, along with safer crossings, lighting, and clear sightlines.

Respondents also supported accessible playground amenities. Common suggestions included accessible swings, safety surfacing within the playground, tactile or sensory play elements, paved pathways, accessible picnic tables and benches, and shaded seating areas. Comments emphasized the importance of designing for a broad range of users, including children of different ages and abilities, caregivers, adults, and seniors. Several respondents specifically noted the need for more places to rest and seek shade, along with opportunities for older adults to stay active outdoors.

Next steps

Based on the survey responses, community feedback, and the project’s design considerations, the following layout was developed.

The design of the south portion of the park has been deferred to 2027 as a second phase of the project. Further information about this phase will be posted on Get Involved Kingston as it becomes available.

Construction of the north portion of the park will begin in fall 2026, with completion anticipated in early 2027.

Pictured above is the park design. Notes on the design are copied below, they highlight the amentities:

• Existing path to be removed and area restored with topsoil and sod
• Existing berm to remain
• Pathway Lighting
• Existing bus stop
• Three metre wide multi-use path
• Bench along path
• Open lawn play area
• Play area
• Existing ball diamond infield to be removed and area restored with topsoil
• Existing backstop and benches to remain
• Sand Play Area
• New shade trees
• Existing fencing to be removed along park frontage
• Gathering area with picnic tables and benches
• Park entry/egress includes intersection upgrades to improve pedestrian access to the park
• Bike racks and waste receptacle

Feedback from the survey, together with design and budget considerations, was used to inform the playground design. The final playground design includes:

• A two-tier play structure with a transfer station, two slides, climbers, a low hammock swing, tactile and sensory play panels, and ground level activities for socializing and imaginative play.
• A 2-bay swing set, with an accessible saucer/disk swing, baby seat and accessible seat.
• A slanted rotating spinner.
• Spring toys
• Free standing ground level sensory and tactile play panels
• A sand lay area

Renderings of what the new playground will look like are below.