Case Study: Quarry Park
Location: Colwood, BC
Project Type: Community Playground
Installed: 2025
Highlights:
- Inclusive & Accessible: Fun for everyone!
- Linked Play: Kids can move from piece to piece without having to touch the ground.
- Natural Features: KOMPAN’s Robinia line gives children the sense of being close to nature while they play.
When planning new residential communities, amenities like parks and playgrounds play a vital role in creating vibrant, livable spaces for those looking to call that neighbourhood home. In the growing Royal Bay development in the City of Colwood on Vancouver Island, Path Developments set out to design a park that would attract new homeowners while providing lasting value for the entire community. To help bring that vision to life, Parkworks was brought into the project to enhance the site with a collection of natural play features from KOMPAN that seamlessly complement the existing playground structures, creating a welcoming space for residents of all ages to enjoy.
The Challenge
One of the main challenges that the Parkworks team faced with this project was achieving the client’s vision for linked play structures. They wanted kids to be able to move from piece to piece without touching the ground. During the initial design stages for Quarry Park, Parkworks worked closely with their 2D design team to ensure that they could bring this vision to life, ensuring that the playground features selected were properly linked and that all structures met CSA compliance.
Another client request was that the play equipment geared towards the 2-5 year old age group had to contain some sort of ramped structure. They wanted the playground to be as accessible and inclusive as possible to provide play opportunities for kids of all ages, and with all types of mobility needs. Through close collaboration with the client throughout the design and feature selection process, Parkworks was able to create a playground design that checked every box on the client’s wish list.
The Solution
Several custom KOMPAN Parkour structures were worked into the playground to achieve the linked play experience the client was looking for. They add physically challenging play opportunities for children, stimulating basic motor skills, while still encouraging collaboration and connection on the playground.
Other playground features such as the Dolphin Springers, the Wobble Bridge, and the Triple Balance Beam provide diverse and dynamic play opportunities for kids specifically in the 2-5 year old age group. Several interactive and stimulating Play Panels were also incorporated into the design, creating unique play opportunities that will keep kids coming back for more. A Play Panel 3 – Learning and Play Panel 4 – School invite kids to connect with one another, encouraging cooperation and communication through rich, tactile details.
The Implementation
As with any playground installation, the Quarry Park project encountered a few hiccups throughout the process, such as a delay in the equipment being delivered. The Parkworks team was in constant communication with both the manufacturer and the client to ensure that everyone was kept informed about the delays. When steel footings were installed for the equipment instead of wood, the team was quick to remedy the situation, ensuring that the correct footings were installed for the playground features.
Due to the uniqueness of each piece of Robinia wood, the Dolphin Springers that were delivered ended up being stained from the tannins in the wood. After an inspection from the Parkworks team, they determined that the springers needed to be replaced to ensure a seamless and cohesive look throughout the entire play space. KOMPAN sent the required replacements which were installed quickly and look fantastic in the playground.
The Outcome
The interconnectivity of the KOMPAN play equipment in Quarry Park allows kids of all ages to navigate around the playground without having to touch the ground. The playground itself is equipped with a Play Timer that kids can use to time themselves to see how long it takes them around the space and challenge friends to race one another.
Accessible and inclusive, the playground at Quarry Park officially opened to the public on August 1, 2025, and has quickly become a fantastic community space where families can gather, enjoy the outdoors, and have fun!
Project Partners:
Looking to create a fun, inclusive, and active park space for 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!