City of Hamilton, Ontario

Woodlands Park

When strong collaboration meets inspired vision, truly one-of-a-kind spaces take shape.

In 2022, Openspace began working alongside The MBTW Group and the City of Hamilton to reimagine Woodlands Park—one of Hamilton’s oldest downtown parks. Spanning approximately 2.13 hectares, the park serves as a vital green space for the surrounding community. From the outset, the goal was clear: create something spectacular that honours place, culture, and connection.

Rooted in an Indigenous-inspired theme, the park’s graphics and feature selections celebrate nature and incorporate interpretive elements connected to Indigenous language and storytelling.

Key Partners

City of Hamilton
The MBTW Group
Three Seasons Landscapes
Installed Spring 2024

Objectives

A unique opportunity to celebrate the beauty of nature.

Through community engagement led by MBTW, the preferred conceptual direction—“Nature and All Its Creatures”—was established. This theme created a meaningful framework to integrate Indigenous-inspired elements and interpretive components, enriching both the play experience and the cultural narrative of the space.

Process

Led by landscape architectural vision

With MBTW leading as Landscape Architect between the City and our team, we were provided with the park’s spatial parameters, overall vision, and key desired components. From there, our in-house design team translated that direction into a fully realized splash pad concept that aligned with the broader park master plan.

Following design completion, the project was tendered in 2023. A general contractor was selected, site works commenced in 2024, and our splash pad installation was completed in spring 2024. By early 2025, the community was enjoying its first splash season.

Overcoming site challenges

Every project presents its hurdles—and this one was no exception.

Wet Spring Conditions 

Installation began during an exceptionally wet spring, creating challenging ground conditions for equipment access. Through careful coordination and persistence, our team successfully completed all footings and underground piping, keeping the project on schedule.

Water Containment Adjustments 

During testing, the Sky Soaker feature projected water slightly beyond its intended range. Our team quickly engineered and manufactured custom baffles to refine the spray pattern. Close collaboration with operations staff ensured all adjustments were completed well in advance of opening day.

Thoughtful details that complete the park experience

While the splash pad serves as the central feature, thoughtful additions enhance the overall park experience.

A leaf-shaped Shadeview structure provides functional shade while seamlessly complementing the nature-based theme.

A non-verbal communication board was also installed, offering an inclusive communication tool for children and adults within the neurodivergent community—supporting accessibility, connection, and meaningful play for all.

Key Features

A few highlights

Classic Water Tunnel

At 6’3” tall , this playful feature welcomes everyone, with full accessibility for all mobility devices.

“Snapper”

A mesmerizing laminar water effect that spins 360 degrees, inviting kids to explore, spin, touch, and play.

Non-Verbal Communication Board

Connect, play, and communicate, making the park inclusive for all.

Sky Soaker

Thrill the crowd as water flies from its curved canopy, with a translucent bucket that builds anticipation for every splash!

"Woodlands Park stands as a testament to what’s possible when community engagement, cultural sensitivity, and collaborative design come together to create a lasting public space."

Woodlands Park

End Results

A park reimagined

Today, Woodlands Park has quickly become a vibrant gathering place in the heart of City of Hamilton. The thoughtfully designed splash pad, Indigenous-inspired elements, and surrounding amenities have transformed this historic green space into a renewed destination for families, caregivers, and children of all ages and abilities. What was once simply a neighbourhood park is now a dynamic, inclusive environment where nature, culture, and play intersect. The result is more than a successful project—it’s a reimagined community hub that feels welcoming, meaningful, and destined to be a local favourite for years to come.