In this blog:
- We recently finished the concrete work for the Badlands Scramble as part of ongoing park construction
- Our on-site photographers captured the construction methods used to build it, keep reading to see some of their incredible photos
- This 1600-square-metre play feature includes a water play element with a sandbox at the bottom
- It is one feature of a new park nestled around the renaturalized mouth of the Don River that will open in 2025
The new parks in the Port Lands will open to the public in summer 2025. There will be 6.1 kilometres of recreational trails to explore, places to paddle, and picnic areas – plus, a playground. More about some of the play features.
One of the unique play structures we’re building is called the Badlands Scramble, designed by MVVA. Inspired by the Cheltenham Badlands, this play area has an undulating landscape with water features at the top and sand play areas at the bottom.
Building the Badlands
Photographers Vid Ingelevics and Ryan Walker have been documenting the transformation of the Port Lands and captured some photos showing the construction of the Badlands.
Outlining the Form
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The first step in creating the badlands was to build the formwork: an outline of the landscape using rebar and wood. The scramble has three tiers broken up with flat sections of stone pavement.
Pouring ‘Shotcrete’
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Using a method called ‘shotcrete’, the framing is covered by colourful concrete sprayed out of a special hose.
Refining the landscape
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After the concrete is sprayed on the frame, crews use hand tools to shape it more precisely.
A Beaver Dam!
A ‘beaver dam’, designed and fabricated by Monstrum, at the base of the scramble gives obstacles for kids to run around and climb. Eventually, it will have a softer surface below it.
A geological treasure
The Cheltenham Badlands are located in Caledon. They’re a 36-hectare site of rusty-coloured undulating landscape. Formed 450 million years ago, the landscape was once the bottom of an ancient sea that covered Ontario. The site in Caledon is considered a natural heritage landmark. While you can visit the Cheltenham Badlands, the Queenston shale that creates the striking landscape is fragile, and can only be viewed from designated trails and boardwalks.
The Badlands Scramble in the Port Lands is designed to be walked on or clambered over by people of all ages. Water sources near the highest points will be activated by kids, and the bottom has a deep sand pit, both for playing in and playing with.