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The official unveiling of the new Mooney’s Bay Park is set for Canada Day 2017, but it is already the source of another controversy, this time over what one critic says is cultural insensitivity.

The first controversy arose in 2016 from the lack of public consultation about the new park project. Sue Holloway outdoor fitness park was removed to make way for the $2-million, 4,600-square-metre playground.

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Toronto television production company Sinking Ships Entertainment partnered with the City of Ottawa to build the playground, which now consists of 13 structures meant to represent a part of each province and territory’s history.

The building of the park was featured on the TVO children’s show Giver. The show follows kids from across Canada as they work with contractors and volunteers to build the 13 individual play structures.

The latest controversy appears to have arisen over what appear to be totem poles erected on the section of the playground that has a Wild West theme. “Embarrassing! Hard to believe anyone thought it was a good idea,” reads a critical May 20 tweet.

Mayor Jim Watson’s response via Twitter: “The people who love it are in the thousands of kids who have been playing on it for weeks! Glad we said no to naysayers and accepted this gift!”