Oshawa’s free summer Playground Program returns to 16 neighbourhood parks starting July 6, bringing supervised games, crafts, and group activities for children, but families need to register ahead this year instead of just dropping in. The program, presented by Oshawa Community Credit Union, runs weekdays until August 21, with no sessions on the Civic Holiday.
Advance sign-up is the biggest change for 2026. In past summers, kids could show up at any listed park and join in. Now, parents or guardians must go to register.oshawa.ca to secure a spot each time they plan to attend. The city’s announcement did not explain the reason for the change, but the rule means every child needs a completed emergency contact and consent form before joining in.
Two age groups are covered. Kids aged 5 to 12 get drop-off sessions Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., plus Monday through Thursday afternoons from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Younger ones aged 3 to 5 have a shorter parented program on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., where a grown-up must stay with them.
Each day, trained Play Leaders set up at six different parks – three in the morning and three in the afternoon – rotating through up to 12 locations each week. Over the whole summer, the program will visit 16 parks across the city. The charity Their Opportunity, which helps remove barriers to sport for kids, is a program partner, while Midway Nissan supplies the vehicles that move staff and equipment around.
Hot weather could mean last-minute cancellations at some sites. If Environment Canada issues a heat alert, any playground with too little shade will be called off for the day. Families are reminded to send children with sunscreen, a hat, and a full water bottle. For questions, call the Playground Program office at 905-436-3311 extension 2033 or email [email protected].
