Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter

Families in Huntingdon have a new municipal playground to discover.

The town council officially inaugurated a two-storey playground installation at the Leo-Cappiello Park on West Street on August 13. The park was completely renewed to accommodate the new structure, which features a colourful treehouse design including rope ladders, multiple slides, and different levels.

“The old park was quite obsolete,” said Huntingdon’s mayor, André Brunette. “The fence was rusted and the swings and the slide as well,” he added, while acknowledging the equipment had become less safe for children.

Brunette confirmed that while the purchase of the equipment from the Lévis-based playground manufacturers, Jeux 1000 Pattes, was approved as part of the 2025 budget, the apparatus was originally destined for the park on Russell Island. “We decided to build it here,” said Brunette, while suggesting the state of the older equipment necessitated the change of plan.

The installation required the pouring of a concrete slab to provide a solid foundation for the structure. The park was then renovated and landscaped to include four park benches and a picnic table. “There are more families now in this part of town, so it was time to do this,” said Brunette. “The kids are already playing on it.”

The cost for the structure and installation was just under $125,030, while the total cost to renew the park was $146,003, without including the time spent by municipal employees who poured the concrete slab, built the furniture, and landscaped the grounds.