Jumpstart Inclusive Playground

A rendering of the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground featuring children playing on playground equipment.

The Latest News: The Jumpstart Inclusive Playground at Shannon Park is now open!


Thanks to the community leadership of the Inclusive Play Project, Shannon Park in Rideau Heights now has a highly accessible playground designed to welcome children of all abilities.

Featuring rubber safety surfacing and ramped play structures, the playground provides safe and easy, transfer-free access for kids and family members using mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers. The play area also includes sensory-friendly elements, offering engaging opportunities tailored to a wide range of sensory needs.

As of July 2026, construction on the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground is complete.

The new Jumpstart Inclusive Playground is located at the northwest corner of Shannon Park, to the east of the existing playground, near the intersection of MacCauley Street and Daly Street.


A map showing the playground's location in the northwest corner of Shannon Park, to the east of the existing playground which will remain, near the intersection of MacCauley Street and Daly Street.


Some of the examples of the variety of accessible play options are shown in the image below.

A collage made up of 15 different images depicting examples of the playground equipment at the new Jumpstart Inclusive Playground.


Background

This project was spearheaded by the passion and commitment of the Inclusive Play Project, a local community group dedicated to celebrating and promoting the power of play for all ages and abilities.

In September 2023, Kingston City Council adopted the recommendation from the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC) to work with the Inclusive Play Project and community partners, to support the building of a highly inclusive playground in a City-owned park.

Shannon Park was chosen as the location of the new accessible playground site, due to existing accessible play equipment as well as its proximity to accessible facilities at Rideau Heights Community Centre.

Fundraising and support

Since 2023, fundraising efforts have secured commitments of more than $1.2 million for the project from private individuals, foundations, corporation donations and government support. The Jumpstart Inclusive Playground is made possible with funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. Thank you to those who have already donated to the Inclusive Play Project, as well as significant support from Tim Hortons Kingston, Government of Canada Enabling Accessibility Fund, Kinsmen Club of Kingston, Britton Smith Foundation, Anna and Edward C. Churchill Foundation, Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone Grant, V2 Innovations, William James Henderson Foundation, Swyrich Corporation, Kingston Construction Association, Lawson Foundation, The Kingston Foundation for Autism, and Skyline Group of Companies.

The City of Kingston has continued to provide support for the project; this includes providing the City owned land for the playground site, a contribution of $300K in funding, along with staff support to manage the design including civil works, procurement package creation, as well as oversight of the construction of the playground. The City will also ensure the long-term maintenance of the playground.

A rendering of the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground featuring children playing on playground equipment.

The Latest News: The Jumpstart Inclusive Playground at Shannon Park is now open!


Thanks to the community leadership of the Inclusive Play Project, Shannon Park in Rideau Heights now has a highly accessible playground designed to welcome children of all abilities.

Featuring rubber safety surfacing and ramped play structures, the playground provides safe and easy, transfer-free access for kids and family members using mobility aids such as wheelchairs and walkers. The play area also includes sensory-friendly elements, offering engaging opportunities tailored to a wide range of sensory needs.

As of July 2026, construction on the Jumpstart Inclusive Playground is complete.

The new Jumpstart Inclusive Playground is located at the northwest corner of Shannon Park, to the east of the existing playground, near the intersection of MacCauley Street and Daly Street.


A map showing the playground's location in the northwest corner of Shannon Park, to the east of the existing playground which will remain, near the intersection of MacCauley Street and Daly Street.


Some of the examples of the variety of accessible play options are shown in the image below.

A collage made up of 15 different images depicting examples of the playground equipment at the new Jumpstart Inclusive Playground.


Background

This project was spearheaded by the passion and commitment of the Inclusive Play Project, a local community group dedicated to celebrating and promoting the power of play for all ages and abilities.

In September 2023, Kingston City Council adopted the recommendation from the Municipal Accessibility Advisory Committee (MAAC) to work with the Inclusive Play Project and community partners, to support the building of a highly inclusive playground in a City-owned park.

Shannon Park was chosen as the location of the new accessible playground site, due to existing accessible play equipment as well as its proximity to accessible facilities at Rideau Heights Community Centre.

Fundraising and support

Since 2023, fundraising efforts have secured commitments of more than $1.2 million for the project from private individuals, foundations, corporation donations and government support. The Jumpstart Inclusive Playground is made possible with funding from Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. Thank you to those who have already donated to the Inclusive Play Project, as well as significant support from Tim Hortons Kingston, Government of Canada Enabling Accessibility Fund, Kinsmen Club of Kingston, Britton Smith Foundation, Anna and Edward C. Churchill Foundation, Enhancing Access to Spaces for Everyone Grant, V2 Innovations, William James Henderson Foundation, Swyrich Corporation, Kingston Construction Association, Lawson Foundation, The Kingston Foundation for Autism, and Skyline Group of Companies.

The City of Kingston has continued to provide support for the project; this includes providing the City owned land for the playground site, a contribution of $300K in funding, along with staff support to manage the design including civil works, procurement package creation, as well as oversight of the construction of the playground. The City will also ensure the long-term maintenance of the playground.

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Page last updated: 18 Aug 2026, 11:07 AM