Free playground program returning to Oshawa city parks

After a slight delay caused by wildfire smoke last week, the City of Oshawa’s Playground Program is now underway in neighbourhood parks across the city.

Running until August 21, the free program offers children from three to 12 the opportunity to enjoy supervised games, crafts, sports, group activities and more, led by trained leaders trained leaders who provide interactive games, songs and crafts for children daily throughout the summer.

Children ages 3 to 5 can participate on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. Parent/guardian supervision and active participation is required.

Children ages 5 to 12 can participate Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and Monday to Thursday from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Parent/guardian supervision is not required for this age group.

Advance registration is required, however, and parents/guardians must register children in advance to participate in the program.

Parents and guardians are encouraged to ensure children come prepared each day with sunscreen, a hat and a filled water bottle. During heat alerts, programming may be adjusted to include more shaded and passive activities, along with frequent breaks.

The initiative, which was supposed to begin this year on July 6, was first offered as a pilot program in 2023, with pre-school children in Oshawa getting a taste of big kid life one hour a week at eight city parks.

The Oshawa Community Credit Union has signed on as a presenting sponsor of the city’s program, which will run in 16 city parks this summer.

The credit union signed a three-year agreement to sponsor the Playground Program, valued at $45,000, as well as a five-year, $100,000 Naming Rights deal for the pool at Delpark Homes Centre.

“We are incredibly proud to partner with the City of Oshawa to invest in the well-being and future of our local community members,” said Oshawa Community Credit Union’s Jakob Henninger. “OCCU operates on the fundamental belief of giving back to our community, and we believe this sponsorship initiative is a testament to our mission of shared prosperity.”

To learn more about the Playground Program, visit oshawa.ca/Play or call (905) 436-3311 extension 2033, or by email at [email protected].

To view playground locations and register, visit register.oshawa.ca.