Health and Active Living Plaza

• EG's largest splash pad
• Accessible playgrounds for children of all ages
• Skateboard and scooter park
• Paved bike pump track
• Four pickleball courts
• Two beach volleyball courts
• Multi-use basketball and ball hockey court
• Shuffleboard courts
• Play lawn and open recreation spaces
• Walking track and junior soccer fields

Designed as a true community hub, the HALP Park will provide welcoming spaces for the community to come together throughout the year.

Features include:

• Event pavilion and event street for festivals and community celebrations
• Outdoor gathering spaces and seating areas
• Five shade structures throughout the park
• Outdoor game tables featuring chess, ping pong, foosball, and cornhole
• Public art installations and placemaking features

One of the park's signature features will be an Indigenous crosswalk designed by an artist and member of Georgina Island First Nation.

The park offers unique areas to relax, explore nature, food, and learn. Spaces include:

Reading Garden

Enjoy a peaceful outdoor reading space connected directly to the East Gwillimbury Public Library's Queensville Branch.

Demonstration Food Community Garden

Discover vegetables, herbs, native species, and traditional Indigenous medicines while learning about sustainable gardening and food production.

Outdoor Teaching Kitchen

Gather with friends, family or neighbours around:

• Outdoor pizza oven
• Barbecue stations
• Culinary learning spaces
• Community food programming

Features have been incorporated into the design to ensure people of all ages and abilities can enjoy the park. Visitors will enjoy:

• Accessible play structures, boards and pathways:
  • Barrier-free route throughout the park 
  • Various seating options
  • Inclusive play structures: whirl, Dennis seesaw, peaceful space, and swing seat with harness. For details on accessible playground design, view the Park Accessibility Council presentation 
• Pedestrian trail connections
• Cycling routes and bike-friendly infrastructure
• Covered bicycle parking and repair station
• Water bottle filling stations, including a pet hydration station
• Enhanced wayfinding and streetscape amenities

The HALP Park reflects EG's commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable community development. Features include:

• Expanded tree canopy and native plantings
• Rainwater harvesting systems
• Green roof and cool roof technologies
• Sustainable stormwater management systems
• Phosphorus-reducing bioswales
• Soil and water conservation measures
• Urban heat island reduction strategies

The Health and Active Living Plaza is a fully accessible space for all ages and stages to enjoy. There are accessible universal washrooms on each floor. The men and women's washrooms are also accessible. All parking lots and entrances are full accessible.

Some accessibility features include:

• Accessible washrooms (including change tables)
• Ramps into each aquatic tank
• Elevators
• Lowered countertops at customer service
• Accessible POD spaces
• Accessible library reception

If you have questions or concerns about accessibility, please contact us.

The Health and Active Living Plaza features on-site parking during facility hours. No overnight parking is permitted.

York Region Transit routes now feature Health and Active Living Plaza stops.

The project includes industry-leading net zero design initiatives and EG's Thinking Green standards, highlighting several green and environmentally friendly features including:

• Smart building AI

• Electric Vehicle charging stations

• Rain-water harvesting and phosphorus removal

• Building design maximizes daylight and uses control sensors

• Utilize high efficiency appliances, LED lighting and energy recovery systems

Find more information on the design process with MJMA and their past projects.

View site plans, maps and layouts

Review reports and presentations on the Health and Active Living Plaza process.

• Health and Active Living Master Plan
• Health & Active Living Plaza Context Map
• Town and YMCA moving forward with potential Health & Active Living Plaza partnership (September 7, 2016)
• April 4, 2018 CWC report
• April 5, 2018 - Town moves forward with partnerships for the Health & Active Living Plaza
• December 18, 2018 - Design & Contract Administration
• HALP Presentation May 12, 2020
• HALP Report - June 23, 2020
• HALP Council Presentation - December 15, 2020
• Media Release - See the Vision of EG’s new Health & Active Living Plaza - December 21, 2020
• HALP Council Presentation Update - June 15, 2021
• HALP Presentation - Sustainability Options - July 27, 2021
• HALP Report - Additional Sustainability Options - November 24, 2021
• HALP Report - Construction Tender

The Health and Active Living Plaza is planning to open once the population of the Town reaches 40,000 residents. The project is funded by development funding with no cost to the taxpayer for the design and construction of the facility.