Burlington playgrounds at Norton and Fothergill Woods parks are fenced for renewal; Ireland Park bridge closed until spring

Norton Community Park

The City is renewing the playground at Norton Community Park, 3035 Tim Dobbie Dr., with features aimed at teens and adults as well as children. According to the project page, the work removes the existing equipment and safety surface and adds new obstacle-course equipment geared to teens and adults, new swings with a 10-foot top bar for higher swinging, a rubber safety surface for better accessibility, and a resurfaced basketball court.

Construction was scheduled to begin in September and finish in November 2026, though the City notes that equipment production and delivery times may affect installation. The playground stays fenced off until a final third-party CSA safety inspection is complete. Other park amenities remain open.

Fothergill Woods Park

At Fothergill Woods Park, 480 Fothergill Blvd., the City is replacing the main playground and swings, installing an engineered wood fibre safety surface, replacing the drinking fountain and seating area, paving the gravel paths from the New Street and Fothergill Boulevard entrances, and planting trees and sod. Work was expected to start in September, weather permitting, and last about eight to ten weeks. The playground, seating area and path sections are closed; the parking lot, basketball court, ball diamond and open green space remain open.

Ireland Park bridge

In Ireland Park, 2315 Headon Forest Dr., the City is replacing a pedestrian bridge directly north of St. Timothy Catholic Elementary School. The existing bridge is closed. The project includes the new bridge, new asphalt, and creek work and restoration. Parts of the park and its parking lots are fenced off, and paths near the bridge may close periodically for equipment access but are expected to stay open for most of the work. The ball diamonds remain open. Construction was expected to begin in early fall and be completed by spring 2027, subject to weather and industry delays.

Free sports equipment in the same parks

All three parks are also on the City's list of 20 locations for free sports equipment lockers, announced in August with Equip Sport and funded by Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. Users borrow equipment through the free Equip Sport app and must be 16 or older to create an account. The City lists basketball and table tennis equipment at Norton Community Park, and basketball and soccer equipment at Fothergill Woods and Ireland parks.