Sunday, December 27, 2009

Howryod and Onyx Park Playground- Saanich


Squashed between Howroyd Ave and Onxy Place there is a piece of grassy land with a small playground on it. It's probably one of those parks that you would never see unless you lived nearby or had a reason to pass, which we did on Christmas Even after dark when we realized with a jolt that we'd forgotten to buy Bailey's. My dad and I cut through the park on the way back from the liquor store and I vowed to visit it in the light to review.
So that's exactly what we did on Boxing day. It was bright, sunny and cold and so we wrapped up warm in mittens and multiple layers and hit the playground.

On a base of gravelly sand, this is a surprisingly well equipped playground considering it is small and tucked away. There are swings- a toddler swing and a big kid swing, a nice high mental slide, a metal seesaw and a climbing frame car.

There are no facilities here except for a bench and a picnic table, but it's a decent sized grassy space and enough to play with to wear kids out before nap time. Our infant girl, S laughed and laughed in the swing and after sampling all the other equipment, pre-schooler, 'A' found a big stick and proceeded to happily draw lines in the sand for a long time. At last, a good use for sand, which as you know is not my favourite!

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Eleanor talking about things to do in the rain on Real Parenting show

video

Monday, December 7, 2009

Craigflower Park Playground- Victoria


Craigflower Park Playground is the 4th playground on the edge of the Gorge that we've visited. You can access the small car park from Gorge Road W just before it joins Admirals and the playground is a hop, skip and a jump from there.

It's not a huge playground, but the equipment is in good shape. There are the usual double big kid, double toddler swings, a metal seesaw a whale bouncy thing and a teeny tiny climbing structure. The climbing frame is really just a low one-platform tower with steps up and a short double metal slide. This is all on gravelly sand.

The real attraction of this little playground is not the equipment, though it is often crowded in good weather; it's the location. Perched on the top of the Gorge, there are sweet views, grassy areas, trees, lovely landscaping and of course, the fabulous Gorge Waterway path that winds all around the water's edge. There is a lot to see and do and even the occasional event or festival to visit. And when you're there, make sure to top off the visit with a quick play at the playground!

Thursday, November 19, 2009

Rudd Park Playground- Victoria


Rudd Park is one of those parks that you could drive past over and over and never really have any reason to stop- unless you play baseball, play soccer, have a dog, or of course, want to visit their playground. Located between Irma St and Whittier Ave, and Harriet Rd runs a long the far end.

The playground is an older construction with wooden beams, metal bars and plastic trim. There are two structures, one for small kids that features a ramp, low turret with two platforms, two activity walls a short plastic slide and two toddler swings.

The bigger kid structure features climbing platforms, two slides- a wide metal and a curly plastic, two big kids swings and a bunch of older-school metal climbing options. This is all on a base of sand that is sculpted out of an enormous grassy area. There are a couple of old fashioned digging machines and a seesaw.

There are washrooms and picnic tables and shade close by. Street parking is easy and there is a parking strip on Irma very close to the playground. This is not the most exciting of parks but has good solid facilities which are in good condition.

Friday, November 6, 2009

WildPlay Ticker winners!

Congratulations go to Robin who won the 3 passes and Andrea who won the two passes. We all hope you have fun at the new park!

Sunday, November 1, 2009

WildPlay Adventure Parks are coming to Victoria!!!


Until now if you wanted to get into an aerial tree adventure course, or take a zip line you had venture outside of Victoria. Not any more! November 4th sees the opening of the 3rd BC location of WildPlay Adventure Parks right here in Westshore.

You can learn more about this exciting new location, see pictures and videos at www.wildplay.com . There is also a fabulous offer if you book before November 3rd.

I have two sets of passes (a set of 2 and a set of 3) for the Monkido Tree Course at the new Westshore location. To enter- and please bear in mind that it's for over 7's only- all you have to do is to email me with your name, email address and whether you'd like 2 passes or 3 passes, to victoriablog@yahoo.ca. I'm accepting entries until November 3rd and will announce winners- which will be picked by a draw- on November 4th. Good luck!

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Rainy Day Activities

Looking for more suggestions to help us to get to 101 things to do on a rainy day. You can leave a comment below or email Swings and Roundabouts at www.victoriablog@yahoo.ca