Case Study: Garibaldi Springs Community Park
Location: Squamish, BC
Project Type: Community Playground
Installed: 2026
Product Spotlights:
- Custom Skytwister Tower
- Embankment Slide
- 4 Seat Swing
- Arch Ladder
- Custom Multi Seesaw
When Polygon Homes began building the Garibaldi Springs community in Squamish, British Columbia, they knew the neighbourhood playground couldn’t just be another play space — it needed to be a destination.
The vision was simple: build a playground that reflects the natural spirit of Squamish while delivering the kind of play experience that draws kids in and keeps them moving.
To bring that vision to life, Polygon Homes and landscape architects PWL Partnership engaged Parkworks back in 2019 to start designing a play space that would stand out in both form and experience.
The Challenge
Polygon wanted a playground filled with colour and character, with design elements inspired by the surrounding Squamish and Garibaldi landscape. The result needed to feel vibrant, distinctive, and rooted in place.
Finding the right balance took time. Over nearly two years of design development, the team explored different combinations of play features, colours, and spatial layouts to shape a playground worthy of becoming a destination.
The extended design timeline also created some unexpected challenges. Several originally specified KOMPAN products were discontinued along the way, requiring the team to revisit the design and identify new play solutions that would still deliver the same impact and play value.
Logistics added another layer of complexity. Playground equipment arrived before the construction schedule allowed for installation, so the Parkworks team coordinated secure storage to keep the equipment protected until the site was ready.
From concept to installation, Garibaldi Springs Community Park ultimately represented seven years of planning, design, and development.
The Solution
Throughout the project, Parkworks worked closely with Polygon Homes and PWL Partnership to keep the design aligned with the original vision while adapting to the realities of a long development timeline.
During the design process, the Parkworks team identified several technical considerations that could have created installation challenges later in the project and addressed those issues early to ensure the final installation would run smoothly once construction began.
The Implementation
Horizon Contracting Group was brought in to prepare the site for the playground features and surfacing. With strong coordination between all partners, the project continued moving forward despite evolving timelines and product changes. Once the site was ready and equipment delivery was coordinated, installation could finally begin.
Parkworks provided full installation support for the playground, with Project Manager, Mohammad Amini, working closely with Polygon Homes and Horizon Contracting Group to keep the project moving efficiently.
“Projects like Garibaldi Springs are always special because they require strong coordination from planning through construction,” says Amini. “After nearly a year of work, seeing the final result come together was incredibly satisfying, and we’re proud to have helped bring the vision to life.”
The play space incorporates a variety of KOMPAN play features designed to appeal to children of different ages and abilities.
Classic elements like the Embankment Slide and 4 Seat Swing — including an inclusive Nest Seat — provide familiar playground favourites, while an Arch Ladder adds an adventurous climbing challenge. A custom Multi Seesaw adds a playful nod to local wildlife, featuring animals native to the Squamish region including a frog, eagle, orca, and wolf.
At the centre of the playground stands the showpiece of the park: a custom Skytwister Tower.
Finished with KOMPAN’s striking dichroic panels, the tower shifts colour depending on light and movement, creating a constantly changing visual experience. Inside the structure, children can explore a tube slide, internal climbing net, hangout pod, and multiple climbing pathways — delivering layers of play for kids of all ages.
To support both safety and aesthetics, two types of surfacing were used throughout the playground. Fibar Engineered Wood Fibre (EWF) provides durable, natural surfacing across the main play area, blending seamlessly with the surrounding landscape. Beneath the Embankment Slide, Softline Solutions pour-in-place rubber creates a stable slope and a playful landing zone for kids racing down the slide.
The Outcome
After years of planning, design, and collaboration, Garibaldi Springs Community Park is finally doing exactly what it was built to do — bringing families together.
The colourful play structures, wildlife-inspired elements, and striking Skytwister tower have quickly made the playground a standout feature of the neighbourhood. Kids race for the slides, climb through the tower, and spin on the seesaw animals while parents gather nearby and take in the mountain views that make Squamish so special.
For Polygon Homes, the park has become a defining amenity for the Garibaldi Springs community. For the District of Squamish, it adds a vibrant new public play space that reflects the energy and natural character of the region.
Judging by the steady stream of families visiting since the playground opened in early 2026, it’s already well on its way to becoming a beloved local play destination!
Project Partners:
- District of Squamish
- Polygon Homes (Developers)
- PWL Partnership (Landscape Architects)
- Horizon Contracting Group (Landscape Contractors)
- Fibar (Surfacing)
- Softline Solutions (Surfacing)
Looking to transform underutilized spaces into vibrant new parks and playgrounds in your community? Let our team of experts guide you every step of the way! At Parkworks, we specialize in transforming spaces into thriving community hubs.