Case Study: Lions Fun Park
Location: Pitt Meadows, BC
Project Type: Revitalization | Community Park & Playground
Installed: 2025
Product Spotlights:
- Leaf Hideaway
- J3 Psychomotor Structure
- Sensory Mushroom
Tucked away in the heart of the City of Pitt Meadows, Lions Fun Park has been serving the surrounding neighbourhoods for years. However, with continued growth in the neigbourhood and increased use by nearby daycares and the Pitt Meadows Elementary School, the City of Pitt Meadows determined that a revitalization of Lions Fun Park was necessary. Renovating the existing park and playground would help modernize the space and continue to create play opportunities for everyone in the area.
Working closely with the Parkworks team and other project partners, Lions Fun Park has undergone a transformation that has modernized the play space and increased inclusivity, creating an accessible playground that better suits the community’s needs. With a large, ramped play structure aimed at providing inclusive play to all, Lions Fun Park has been transformed into a modern and dynamic play space that will continue to excite and entertain visitors for years to come.
The Challenge
After providing years of fun to the community, it became clear to the City of Pitt Meadows that the aging Lions Fun Park required some attention. The equipment was outdated and accessibility was lacking. As a park that serves not only the surrounding neighbourhood but also several nearby daycare facilities and an elementary school, the revitalization of the space needed to make an impact and check all the boxes.
Two of the main factors that needed to be addressed in the park’s redesign were the overall accessibility of the space, as well as bringing the play equipment into the modern age. The city wanted to transform the outdated space into a vibrant park that would welcome visitors of all abilities.
The Solution
With accessibility at the forefront of their plan, the City of Pitt Meadows leaned on their Accessibility Plan as well as guidance from the community to determine what was possible for the revitalization. The city was able to secure a $25,000 Local Community Accessibility Grant to support the upgrades they planned to make, which included adding a large, ramped play structure, additional accessible features, and widening the pathways for increased accessibility.
Prioritizing inclusivity and accessibility in a play space not only supports children of all abilities but also encourages multigenerational play that gets the entire family involved! With wants and needs identified, this revitalization aimed to eliminate some of the long-standing access barriers that existed in the original Lions Fun Park design.
The Implementation
Knowing that they now needed the right project partners in place to get the job done right, the City of Pitt Meadows put out a Request for Proposal (RFP), which Parkworks was excited to bid on. The Parkworks team provided three different designs as part of their submission, and after being awarded the RFP, began working closely with the City of Pitt Meadows to finalize the perfect design for the space. The original park featured multiple play areas that broke up the space, so Parkworks’ expert design team provided a new layout design that brought cohesion to the park and allowed for better access to the play features throughout.
Construction on the park began in June 2025 and was expected to take between four and six months to complete, weather permitting. In addition to the installation of the playground equipment, Parkworks’ PMI (Project Management and Installations) team also assisted with the site prep and installation of the new borders and asphalt pathways. Softline Solutions handled the installation of the PIP (pour-in-place) rubber and EWF (engineered wood fibre) playground surfacing, and a shade feature from Shade Sails Canada provides a place where families can escape the sun during the hot months.
Bursting with a vibrant colour palette, the main focal point at Lions Fun Park is the J3 play strucuture by Jambette. Featuring ramps for increased accessibility, the structure allows kids of all ages to move throughout the structure, creating their own adventure as they go. Multiple interactive play panels scattered throughout the structure challenge kids cognitively as well as physically, promoting imaginative play.
Additional Jambette features in the park include a Leaf Hideaway, which provides a unique space where kids can sit, climb, or hide, and a Sensory Mushroom that has a multi-textured surface perfect for younger children and those seeking tactile play experiences.
The Outcome
With construction nearly complete and a reopening planned for the near future, Lions Fun Park has been transformed into one of Pitt Meadows’ most inviting and inclusive outdoor play spaces! By choosing equipment designed for a wide range of ages and abilities and creating a space with barrier-free access, the revitalized space will provide dynamic play opportunities for every family who visits.
Nicole MacDonald, City of Pitt Meadows Mayor, lauded the refreshed park and playground design, stating, “By enhancing accessibility at Lions Fun Park, we are helping more children, families and caregivers with diverse abilities enjoy play and recreation together in a safe and inclusive space.”
With the expertise and support provided by the Parkworks team and other project partners, Lions Fun Park has truly been transformed into a vibrant and inclusive destination that will continue to promote and encourage accessibility, connection, and wellbeing within the community for years to come.
Project Partners:
- City of Pitt Meadows
- Softline Solutions (Surfacing)
- Shade Sails Canada (Shade)
Looking to revitalize outdated or 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.
Contact us today to start building the playground of your dreams!