Portlock Park- Salt Spring Island

Portlock Park is located on Salt Spring's Vesuvius Bay Road just before the North End Road junction. The park offers playing fields for soccer (and other sports), tennis courts and swimming, and for those who can't get through the fifteen minute drive from Vesuvius Bay to Ganges without visiting a playground (us), there's a small one there.

Located right next to the car park Portlock Park Playground is small and a bit tired. It has a climbing tower...no, more like a small climbing turret with a curly slide, two bouncy things, a tire swing and the usual double big kid, double toddler swing combo. All of these are on tiny pebbles and there is also grass to play on and picnic tables. When the park is open there are washrooms.

There's not a lot to say about this playground. It's functional, has enough to keep any child occupied for a while and is in a location where I expect it gets used but never crowded. But then again, it doesn't match the playground in Ganges's Centennial Park for apparatus, views or liveliness.

Centennial Park Playground- Salt Spring Island

Centennial Park is located right at the waterfront in the centre of Ganges, the largest town on Salt Spring Island. The park is most famously known for it's Saturday market which draws visitors from far and wide. The playground is tucked in between the market and the water, and is surrounded by trees which provide great shade for parents to stand in on hot sunny days while they wait for their little ones.


On a pebble base, the playground features a climbing structure aimed at big and little kids that has various things to climb up and down, a curly plastic slide, a low double plastic slide and platforms of various levels. It was very busy when we visited and I had trouble getting good photos and even this one needed some doctoring (spray-painted faces) before I was willing to use it.

There are six swings: three big kid and three toddler and there are also a couple more interesting pieces of equipment there. Firstly I should say that it's always fun to find new playgrounds especially during a day trip away, but when we stumble across a 'treasure'....well it always makes my day. Both of the frilly items are old and completely took me back to my youth. Firstly there is a metal rocking horse bench which is peeling and looks like it belongs in a museum, and whereas 'A' didn't even notice it, I almost swooned because I didn't think there were any of these left in the world.



The second thing was another horse, this time a worn yellow metal bouncer which must have been one of the first bouncy things made. It's in a leaping position and it took me a while to figure out that this is a design like one of those bouncy horses on four springs that you'd have been more likely to see in someones home, not in a playground....or maybe on a carousel.



Anyway, this playground might be a bit past it's prime but it has it's charms and is in the lovely and bustling Centennial Park which has washrooms, a bandstand and is nicely landscaped with lots of grassy areas for football or picnics.

Parking is probably okay on less busy days but can be problematical on Saturday's in the summer when tourists, locals and day trippers alike vie for the precious spots.

Kinsman Beach Park Playground- Chemainus

Kinsman Beach Park Playground can be found on Chemainus's Esplanade and is worth a visit. It's tucked in a residential neighbourhood and the park is right on the water's edge which affords good views during swinging time.

The little playground, which is on small pebbles has some interesting equipment and we found it to be a breath of fresh air. For the sake of reviewing, there are 5 separate play areas. To start off there is the usual double big kid, double toddler swing combo and as said before, there were good views of the sea and some decent people-watching if you face the right way.

The second piece of equipment is a good old fashioned slide. It's straight steps up, metal slide down and although it was a bit high for 'A's 2.5 years, I tested it out....just to be able to comment, of course, and it was a good ride. Next there are 2 things- a segmented plastic tunnel and a climbing thing with stacked plastic curved pieces and bars at the top to hold on to.


Finally there is a climbing structure. It's a small wooden tower with stacking plastic pieces to climb up, a climbing wall style ramp to climb up, a tunnel and a small double plastic slide down.

The park is quite small and has washrooms, parking, picnic tables, grassy areas and lots of shade. Couple those things with the view and this playground is well worth a visit.

Kinsman Gorge Park Playground- Esquimalt

Those lucky enough to live around Vic West's Gorge not only have lovely views and great walking trails, but they also have 4 playgrounds scattered along the water's edge. We've been meaning to visit them for a while and managed to grab two this morning in a double play.

You can reach Kinsman Gorge Park Playground by turning into the park from Tillicum Road and taking the path west. The park itself is lovely- well-kept with grassy areas, picnic tables, lots of trees and gardens and of course nice water views.

The playground is slightly worn but it's got decent features and 'A' liked the fact that it was completely deserted- probably because it was lunch time. Split into two parts, the small kid side features a climbing structure with a tower, a ramp, several climbing options and a double plastic slide.



The big kid side has a whole bunch more climbing options, a wider, higher tower with a tunnel and a curly plastic slide and a straight plastic slide. There are things to hang from and even an old wooden balance beam along with a digger machine and several bouncy things. This whole large play area is on gravelly-sand and across the path towards the water there are 6 swings on small pebbles; 4 big kid and 2 toddler. It's worth noting for those that like to swing high that the big kid swings have very long chains- so the potential to go pretty high.

Transfer Beach Playground- Ladysmith, Vancouver Island

We got a hot tip to visit Transfer Beach in Ladysmith and we were told to 'plan to stay a while', and if we'd taken a tent with us, we'd likely still be there. Well, that might have something to do with the fact that as inept campers we'd probably still be trying to put the tent up but I guess that's missing the point. The point is, it's a lovely spot with fantastic facilities.

The beach is located off Transfer Beach Blvd which runs straight off the Trans Canada Highway and there is plenty of parking though we went on a week day and I expect that on weekends in the summer the place must be rammed. Transfer Beach Park has picnic tables, covered picnic tables, washrooms, a drinking fountain and lots of pristine grassy areas to play on.



There are three main playground areas. The first one that you get to is called Totland and is a wood construction on fine pebbles and features a plastic slide and a double plastic slide, a whole bunch of tires to climb up, ramps, tunnels and steps with a separate 'lighthouse' and 'boat' to climb on.



The second area is called Kidland and is basically a great mass of wooden ramps with swinging bridges, tires to climb up and down, slides- an old curly metal one and at least one metal double. In this area, which is also on the fine pebbles there are also three toddler swings, big kid swings and a tire swing.




Just down the grass there is a water playground called Ladysmith Centennial Spray Park which features a bunch of things that spray. The sign reads 'June to Sept- 10am to dusk'. Just over the grass, right on the edge of the beach there is a metal boat for kids to play in, which rests on and is covered in sand.



We had enough time to have a go on everything here but we didn't have long enough and will definitely be back for a full day sometime this summer.

Tulista Park Playground -Sidney

I am so happy to have moved to the new rating system (where you rate it using the 5 star system on the top of each posting) because I would be terrified to give Tulista Park Playground in Sidney anything less than...hummm....20/10. I have received over TWENTY top tips to go review this one and they have all been extremely enthusiastic and if I dared to give it less than top scores those tip emails might turn to hate mail!

So when we packed up the car and drove to Tulista Park I was filled with hype, expecting to see some towering sparkly construction that would make Beckwith Playground seem inadequate and I have to be frank here, I was disappointed. What I saw was a hodge-podge of climbing structures and playthings surrounded by a wire fence and plonked down in a stunning location right by the water. For some odd reason, I couldn't find a way in. We circled most of the way around the playground before entering through an awkward gate that required some creative moves with the stroller. After we were inside, I saw that there were at least three more gates in including one that was right by where we parked. So that was my first embarrassing mistake. The second was getting the stroller stuck in the pebble base and needing help to get it to some shade (thanks to my helper!). I'll tell you about the third later.

So whatever Tulista Park Playground lacks in wow factor, it makes up in for function. There are three climbing structures. The first is a large wooden, construction that includes lots of climbing options, a metal curly slide and two plastic tunnels, a full tube and a half tube. 'A' went on this one briefly but said it was for big boys. The second structure was a big hit with 'A' who spent the most time on there. It features little-kid-friendly climbing options, a curved plastic slide, a double bumpy plastic slide and a huge yellow tunnel. The third structure is actually an enormous Little Tikes plastic castle with slides. 'A' seemed to like this one at first but grew bored quickly so it's definitely a great toddler option. There is also a thing with no name, three tunnels to crawl in that meet in the middle- the sort of thing that the Tombliboos from the Night Garden might live in- but I couldn't get a photo as it was always occupied when we were there.



There are swings scattered around, two big kid and four toddler and there is a covered area with picnic tables adjoined to the playground. There are washrooms, somewhere to buy snacks and of course there is a lovely expanse of grass leading to the seawall, and the views are beautiful.


As we left I saw possibly the cutest car in the world parked next to mine and as I was checking it out I managed to crash the stroller over the car park curb which sent my purse flying and two mothers had to run to my help (thanks ladies!). After all my blunders I should have sworn never to return but as we drove off 'A' dictated that that wouldn't be the case in one simple statement. "That's my favourite park mummy".

Centennial Park Playground - Langford

Okay, so I think that this playground is called Centennial Park but I'm open to negotiation about that! It's situated just off Goldstream Ave on Carlow Road and has plenty of parking right in front of the little park.

Spilt into three sections, there is a small side for toddlers, a bigger kid side and smack in the middle is a small water park. All three areas are on pebble beds.

The toddler side has a newer metal climbing structure with double plastic slides, lots of things to climb on, a couple of bouncy animals and a pudding basin. There is also one of the old school digger machines. This area is set down slightly from the nicely kept grass and is circled by a low wall, which 'A' took great delight in running around, ignoring the flashy climbing frame proving my theory that kids can see ways to have fun regardless of where they are or what's available.

The big kid side has a wooden structure with a variety of ways to climb up and a spiral slide down. 'A' tried very hard to keep up with his 4 year old friend on this side but in the end it was too big for him and when he did get to the top it required a bit if deft climbing from me to help him down the slide on my knee. Which I enjoyed of course. There is a beam on this side where there must have been a tire swing at some point but sadly it's gone now. Over the grass just past this side there are washroom blocks. There are also picnic tables dotted around and some trees if you need some shade.



The middle water playground part looks like the oldest part of the park and features a metal and wood fire truck climbing structure, a high metal slide that comes down the side of a hill and water spray nozzles dotted around. The water wasn't on when we were there but it looked like it would be fun.

Unless I am completely losing it....which is entirely possible seeing as I spend my days reviewing playgrounds, I don't think there are swings in this playground. Despite parts of the park being a bit old, everything looks like it's been well-kept and loved.

Willows Beach Park - Oak Bay- Victoria

Willows Beach Park is a strange mix of the fabulous and the outdated. You don't get much better as far as views go. Check out the sea view from the swing! There are good facilities too- washrooms and picnic tables and a snack bar that was probably serving the same snacks to Victoria residents back in the 80's. There is a water fountain by the washrooms but it wasn't working when we went there.

There are three structures here and also the usual double double swing set- two for big kids and two for toddlers. The toddler climbing structure is wooden and set away from the rest of the playground. It has things to climb on, ply with and a wooden swing bridge that freaked A out a little- it's really not scary but then again A is 2.5 so who am I to say what's scary? There are twin plastic slides.

The big kid structures have lots to do. One is new and has the things for which I have no name- check them out in the glossary. It seemed pretty popular while I was there. The older structure needs updating- it's metal with a curly slide, lots to climb on but it's rusty and peeling and loses points to the playground overall- though the children playing on it really didn't seem to notice. The playground has a pebble base which I quite like.

There is a lovely grassy area behind the playground and you could throw a stone to the beach/sea, which is what we did on the way back to the car. Speaking of which, there is parking all along Willows Beach on Esplanade Street and more parking on the other side of the beach in the carpark but on nice days you might want to walk or ride a bike because it gets very busy.

Despite needing a bit of work, this is a good place to come with kids- Victoria at it's best.

Pebbles

Pebbles might be my new favourite playground surface!