Dermott District Park – Natural Playground and Recreation Area

New playgrounds are always an exciting experience for my kids. They can’t wait to check out the new equipment, see what cool features are there that they might not have seen before, and make up imaginative play and games in the new to them space.

Dermott District Park is no exception, especially since it’s different than most playgrounds in Edmonton.

I first heard of the development of this park in a Edmonton Journal article a few years ago and I have been following it’s progress ever since. When we frequented the Bonnie Doon area this past summer, we were very excited to see the progress and that the project was nearing completion.

After checking with local community leagues and the city, we were notified a couple weeks ago by Bonnie Doon Community League that the fences were down and it was open for exploration!

Dermott District Park contains a lot if elements for all ages. There’s a wide natural playground area, picnic tables and lounge chairs, a small sandy area, adult exercise equipment, walking / jogging path, and an edible garden. In conversation with a city agent, a project manager informed them that there will be further planning and development over the winter and spring of 2020. Design plans on the City of Edmonton website show further development of the natural playground area, including slides built into the hills, climbing areas, completion of the toddler area, and a small soccer area in the middle of the large green space.

The rope climbing areas were a favorite of my kids, along with the tree trunk and rocks to climb on. They also loved finding the birds hidden in the beautiful art mosaic on the bench by the tree trunk.

There are also tennis courts adjacent to the playground, and nearby washroom facilities are scheduled for updates, although not currently open. The Bonnie Doon Recreation Center is also adjacent to the park. It is currently closed and undergoing renovations as well and is scheduled to open in 2020. Once all the renovations are complete, this will be an amazing recreation area that the whole family can enjoy.

There is currently a lot of construction in the area, with the removal of the traffic circle and LRT construction, so be sure to follow signage and watched out for closed lanes and roads. There is street parking on 81 Street in front of Idylwilde Community League.

With completion of the natural playground area scheduled for Spring 2020, I can envision us spending a lot of time here in the future!

UPDATE June 2020 – The baby swings and area adjacent to the rec centre are complete. There are signs stating that natural playground elements will be installed Summer or 2020. The tree trunk beside the mosaic bench is currently fenced off. The kids loved riding their bikes on the dirt path that encircles the park.