Pointe-Claire is located in the West Island region of Montreal, in the province of Quebec. Bordered by Lake Saint-Louis to the south, it has a population of approximately 33,000, making it a mid-sized residential community.
The city is especially known for its many parks. Lansdowne Gardens Park, a neighborhood park, features traditional playground structures that haven’t been renovated in many years. Despite this, it remains a favorite among young families and daycare centers because it offers a quiet environment, shaded by large mature trees, and is safe due to the playground structures being set back from the street.
In 2024, the Engineering Department carried out a complete renovation of the play area intended for children aged 5 to 12. Several structures had previously been closed by the City’s maintenance team because they no longer met Canadian playground safety standards.
Committed to making its facilities accessible to as many people as possible, the City of Pointe-Claire also ensured that the new installations improved circulation and access for people with reduced mobility.
With the same goal of modernization, the Engineering team now aims to revitalize the section for toddlers aged 18 months to 5 years, which has not been renovated in many years. This area includes a signature dinosaur-shaped play structure, a nostalgic element for several generations of children. Before proceeding with the work, the City wanted to consult residents to ensure that the upcoming renovations would meet the needs and expectations of the community.
The goal of the consultation was to invite residents and families to share their thoughts on the park’s theme, the layout of the space, and the types of play structures they desired. The consultation aimed to better understand the needs and preferences of the park’s users, so the new space could reflect their input and expectations.
Efforts were made to reach the community—especially residents living near the park or those with young children. The outreach included:
Printed posters (11 x 17 inches) installed to reach families
Website news publication
Posts on the City’s social media platforms
Announcement in the email newsletter
Notice on the City’s electronic bulletin board
Due to the short timeframe, the City of Pointe-Claire’s online consultation platform was the primary means of engaging with the community. Three key strengths of using Cocoriko stood out:
Visual Integration – Enabled residents to better picture the proposed options.
Detailed Feedback Collection – Participants could leave comments for each question, enriching the consultation.
Intuitive Navigation – The platform’s user-friendly design made it accessible, even for those less comfortable with technology.
With 62 participants reached, the consultation was considered a success, especially since it targeted a specific audience. The comments collected helped the City think about the space from various perspectives.
The Engineering Department is currently in the bidding process. If everything goes according to plan, construction will begin in September 2025. Young children will soon benefit from a space tailored to their needs—designed with the community’s input.