Fisherman's Wharf Park- Victoria

Fisherman's Wharf Park is the big piece of plain grass behind the Fisherman's Wharf carpark. Or I should say WAS. Because there are plans underway to extensively improve this area and change it from something completely nondescript to something rather beautiful. And they have started with the playground.

On first approach, you can't quite tell if the playground is finished or not, but after our play there I'm under the impression that it's done, but the landscaping is yet to be done. At any rate, the playground was covered with children and adults playing together so we charged right in. 'Charged' is definitely the correct word because 'A's love of ramps meant that he could run all the way down from the road right up to the top of the slide. I don't know why there are not more slides like this one, built onto the side of the hill. They are clever because it completely removes any fear of heights that anyone might have, and also in this case they have covered the area underneath the slide- and to the sides- with grippy rubber surfacing which enable the kids to run up the hill next to the slide easily. We all know how much kids like running up slides and this little feature means that they can do this without doing it- if you see what I mean?

So the playground is spread over a nice large area and has a pyramid climbing feature right in the middle. There are two bouncy things- in fact they are the bounciest bouncy things I have met yet and I had a moment when I thought that 'A' might pling off into the stratosphere.

The other two features of this playground are a fake rock climbing arch and a big wooden ship hull. There is a woodchip base and nice paths around with mosaic features. There are lots of seating areas and picnic tables and there will be shade once the trees grow a little. Oh, and there's a good view. If you don't know this area it's such a treat for kids because there is so much to see and do. We played for a while and then walked across the carpark to the wharf where we saw the resident seals, watched seaplanes take off then we caught a water taxi to downtown. I look forward to seeing how this playground and the whole park develops over time because it's a good start.

'A' liked it so much that he begged to go back soon, something he wasn't old enough to do last year but it's cool that he can now express his opinion. Just as we were leaving the playground he took one last run at the slide, and unlike all the other kids he decided to run up the metal rather than the grippy rubber- showing me that old kid habits die hard.

Cecelia Park Playground- Victoria

On Cecelia Road between Jutland and Manchester there is a square of grass with a rather good playground on it. We've never noticed it before which got me thinking that I only ever go down Jutland, not up it- yes folks, that's about how exciting my brain is today! Anyway, after I'd noticed it there in all it's unmissable primary colour glory, we had to return for a play and test out the equipment.

On a bed of woodchips, this new playground is in great condition and offers a thorough play experience for the kids. There are two separate structures, a lower, more accessible one for smaller children and a bigger more challenging one for the big kids. The smaller one has stairs up to the platform as well as a couple of climbing options such as a chain ladder wall and one of those things that looks like a giant pogo-stick on steroids! Although this structure is more accessible, it's not super-low, so smaller kids would definitely need some help though they would really enjoy the short straight metal slide on the way down.

The bigger structure is a spindly-looking affair with a ton of different climbing options to challenge bigger children. This one has a high straight metal slide- one of the higher ones around town which went really fast when I tried it out. What? I know adults are not meant to test the equipment but it was too high for my little 'A' so someone had to try it!

Finishing off this nice playground is the usual double big-kid, double toddler swing sets and a picnic table. There are benches and grassy areas to run around or picnic on. There are not other facilities and street parking is limited but possible. If you're passing, check this playground out- seems like a good once especially for older kids.

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.

Oaklands Community Centre Playground- Victoria

Oaklands Community Centre in Victoria has one of those continuous play playgrounds that you want to take your child to after they've accidentally discovered your secret chocolate stash. Ho hum.
Nestled on a piece of land next to the community centre on Belmont Avenue, the equipment is in a long line and has climbing, swinging and stepping features all in a row. There are chain ladder walls, climbing walls, curved steps, and springy mushroom-like pods to step along. These start in a couple of climbing platforms which have a rope bridge, and they end with the piece de resistance, a rope pyramid.

There are lots of benches, some shade, lots of great grassy areas to run around in and parking is easy. When the community centre is open there are other facilities, though they probably like to save those for paying customers....err....if you see what I mean. This playground is bright, attractive and in good shape but it's probably best for the older kids. 'A' really really wanted to go there and play, but we ended up staying mostly on the rope pyramid because the climbing structure was a bit advanced for him. And I'm also thinking that we spent so much time on the climbing pyramid because he gets tangled up in them every time.

Summit Park Playgrond- Victoria

Guest review by Cheryl

Perhaps it is the isolation that has allowed Summit Park Playground to keep its older equipment. The modest sand-covered area boasts a swing set (two big-kid swings and two toddler swings), a mid-height metal slide and a set of monkey bars that my daughter refers to as a rainbow climber. There is a bench nearby on which caregivers can sit (more or less in the position from which this photo was taken). The playground is in the midst of a Garry Oak meadow so in the heat of the summer there is plenty of nearby shade and wildflowers to investigate. Access is easiest from Blackwood Street off Summit via a paved, stroller-friendly path but there are other walking paths in from other streets (we generally approach from Finlayson, up a steep incline). There is limited street parking available but it is possible to park on Blackwood.

The fact that the equipment looks like it has been there since the 1970s doesn't mean it is in disrepair. On the contrary, this playground seems to be well-maintained with minimal graffiti -- surprising given that when we've been there toward the evening there are often groups of teens gathering in the area and there is plenty of graffiti around the nearby communication tower. I almost hate to review this little park because it reminds me so much of parks of my childhood -- I worry that by publicizing it, the City will at once realize they've overlooked it and replace everything. While this is not the best park for very small children (my daughter is 8), the old-school equipment still allows for physical exploration and imaginative play and the surrounding area is full of plants, bugs and birds to investigate.

Allenby Park Playground- Victoria

Allenby Park Playground is on Dean Avenue between Allenby and Townley. It's a nicely kept piece of green with a baseball diamond, lots of grass and a great playground. 'A' was very happy because there were no signs of beetles, the slides were not too high and- probably because it was dinnertime- the place was deserted. Even the sandy base didn't seem to bother him too much.

There are two play structures here, a big kid and a small kid and both are more or less a tower and platform with a tangle of climbing equipment. The small kid side has appropriately sized things to climb up and down and nice little extras like small pedestals. It has a low double plastic slide with one bumpy and one not. You can follow the climbing features around towards the bigger kid structure, where the climbing becomes harder and higher as it reaches up towards the higher tower. There is a nice high plastic slide with a bend in the middle but if you read this often you'll know how I feel about these types of slide- they are great if you get the right combination of weather and clothing, but if you don't, you end up with static issues or, as in my case this time- you just grind to a slow halt. Mind you, I weigh.....mind you, I don't weigh 50lbs like it's intended users!

The playground also has a climb-frame-car, double big kid/ double toddler swings and an old-school metal seesaw. There is a lonesome bouncy thing that looks like it's sinking into the sand too- but after 'A' vigorously pumped away at it for a while it looked no different so I'm pretty sure it's not going anywhere.

Fern Street Secret Playground- Victoria

So I got a hot tip from a very excited friend who told me about a secret playground that was hidden off Fern Street which runs between Begbie and Fort. Well Ms M, it's not secret anymore! I don't know what to call this playground because it has no sign and it doesn't appear on any of my maps. Anyway- you can take walkways from Fern St or Chestnut St or you can take the drive-with-no-name that runs off Fern.

This playground is in a little square of park overlooked by condos and apartments and it features one large, worn structure on a bed of sand. A's aversion to sand has grown to the point where he turned his nose up at the playground and stalked the parameter like a tiger. Well, a small defenseless, stripeless tiger that's scared of sand, ants and beetles.

The structure has wooden ramps that lead to several platforms of different heights that are connected by a plastic tunnel. There are a lot of playgrounds around the city that are very similar to this but this one is bigger and a little more interesting. For example, it's got enough platforms at different heights to make it that bit more interesting plus it's got one of those sweet little picnic tables built in which get me every time.

There are a variety of things to climb and hang from including a rope wall, a ladder of things that look like handcuffs and there's a curly plastic slide for a quick, staticky escape. There are also a range of activity wall features such as match-the-picture-cylinders though sadly this era of playground has become dated and the activity wall features that are on newer structures around town outshine these. A did sample the swings that accompany the climbing frame- the usual double toddler, double big kid swing combo. There are not really any other amenities here though I'm thinking there was a drinking fountain but that could just be my over-active imagination playing up.

Fireman's Park Playground- Oak Bay- Victoria

Guest review by Helen

Fireman's Park is in Oak Bay and you can get into it from Monterey Avenue- where there is parking, or from Lulie Street on the other side. It's a small and neat little park with some courts, washrooms and lots of grass to play or walk your dog on.

The playground is situated next to Monterey Avenue and is an especially big hit with little boys, on account of the fire hall over the road. We often visit this playground and it's amazing how often that the firemen cruise their trucks down to the field, bring out their hoses and start doing watery stunts-all in the name of practice! They usually get a line of spectator moms who desperately try to keep their kids from joining in. There are lots of places to sit -on benches and picnic tables (some shade too) in case you want to bring along a picnic to eat during the fun.
The playground isn't half so exciting......but it's a decent come-down after the firemen go back to the station. There are woodchips on the floor, and there is one main climbing area with separate swings and a free-standing slide. As you can see in the photo, the climbing frame has big steps, a bendy slide and a lower set of twin slides. The swings are, as we often see on this site, two for little kids, two for big kids and the most exciting thing is definitely the nice high straight old-fashioned metal slide which reminds me of the slides when we were little only about half as high and not over sharp gravel! Did I say the most exciting thing was the slide? I did mention the firemen didn't I?

Leighton Park Playground- Victoria

Guest review by Suzan

Behind the Safeway at Fort and Foul Bay there is a little park tucked between Leighton and Bourchier with a brand new playground.

The playground is spacious and perfect for little legs of all kinds to run around - in fact, adjacent to the park is a large and lightly treed field for our four legged friends to romp around in. While we were there, there were no dogs, but in the past we have met several lovely and child friendly animals there. Parking is in a residential area, so it's not too busy. To get in to the park there is a path on either side and once you are there, you do not have to worry about traffic or anything. The play area is wood chipped, with some cement sidewalk areas and lots of grass.


Now, on to the fun parts! There are three separate play structures. The first is a typical swing set, two swings for big kids and two bucket style swings for babes and toddlers. The primary plus about these swings is that the toddler and babe swings are in the shade in the early afternoon, which is extremely hard to find in a park in Victoria. (see photo below) The second structure is a toddler size boat featuring a double slide, a chain ladder, a funky whistle device that sounded a bit weak (but not too loud thankfully), plus two steering wheels for kiddos to be captains at.
The third structure is a crazily high fun area - kind of hard to describe. First, it's high. Not for a toddler kind of high. My kid climbed it like a monkey and was WAY over my head- not for a squeamish parent by any means. The three ladders leading up are three different styles requiring different climbing styles (which, of course, my little one HAD to try). These lead to a small platform which is where a wonderfully long and fast slide awaits. Now, I have a thing about slides and let me tell you, this slide is pretty darned good. Slippery, yet has an extended flat lower area to ensure little ones don't go flying off the end. Plus, it is north facing, so little legs and hands don't get that lovely scorching burning sensation because it's in the shade! Now, this is not all! There are monkey bars, an awesome twirling device that us adults can go on without feeling like oversized chimps (like the little teacup thingy at Willows Beach - you know what I mean, admit it), three poles attached to bases to twist on, and two tribalish hand drums tucked under the slide. Last, but not least, there is a great six foot freestanding climbing rock with great handholds for all ages to climb up. We saw three other kids of assorted ages while there, and something about climbing rocks appealed to each of them.


The only negative with this park is that there is just one park bench right now. There used to be more before the renovation, but I'm not sure if they will have them back or not, likewise with a picnic table they had there. There are no washrooms nearby, with the exception of the ones at Safeway and two Starbucks approximately two blocks away.
Overall, we had a great time and look forward to heading to this little tucked away gem for more playtime. Hopefully we'll see you there!

NOTE: At the time of writing this, the structures are complete and playable but the landscaping has yet to be finished, so beware of metal posts and try not to get tangled in the red fencing ;)

Gorge Waterway Park Playground- Victoria

We've been waiting a long time to visit the Gorge Waterway Park playground which is on Gorge just north of Tillicum. It has a little car park and every time we've pulled up something has dragged us away- urgent potty-training emergency, sudden reluctance to mix with any other humans or once I think we forgot our shoes. Sigh.
Anyway today, yes today when it was chucking it down with rain, we finally made it there......and it's adorable.
The first great thing of note is that there were beautiful big sunflowers in the flowerbeds between the car park and the playground. You don't see that many sunflowers these days and they added a lovely quality to the scene. The second lovely thing was that there were big, chunky dump-trucks and diggers strewn around in the gravelly sand which were labelled "Gorge Park- have fun" and suchlike. 'A' was so happy and even though this was the one morning that I'd finally got my act together to straighten my hair and put some make-up on my face which the rain was making short work of, we both quickly forgot the rain. He pushed the trucks around and I strolled around the pretty park.

Okay, so back to business. There are two main climbing structures here one big kid, one smaller kid and everything here is pretty new and well-kept. The big kid side features a great metal curly slide one high-ish tower with lots of ways to climb up including platforms, a spiral ladder, and a hanging ladder.

The smaller kid side is in a pirate ship shape with the ship's bow down low in the sand for little ones to wander around and run their sandy little fingers through the grooves in the activity wall treasure map. Behind the ship is a smaller structure with a lower platform, a spiral ladder, steps and a nice metal straight slide.



There are two big-kid swings, two toddler swings and two bouncy whales. There are benches, a picnic table with some shade and a water fountain just down the path towards the water. Interesting enough this could be viewed as an odd place for a playground -wedged between a busy road and a gorge but the landscaping (thick foliage and bushes) and the small car park mean that it feels nicely enclosed, safe and very loved.

Linden and Chapman Park Playground- Fairfield, Victoria

We were droving around aimlessly the other day trying to find somewhere with a breeze to escape the humidity and stumbled across a little park on the corner of Linden and Chapman in Fairfield. Yes, 'stumbled' across another playground...fancy that!

The park itself is really a large grassy field with a few trees that gave us nice shade. There is a picnic table and on a woodchip square there is a nice little playground. There are two big kid and two toddler swings and a ship shaped climbing structure. This is small and probably wouldn't provide much excitement for the bigger kids but our pre-schooler, 'A' loved it. There are a few climbing options up and down including steps onto the ship 'deck' that features two metal slides down. I still maintain that it's a pity that no one seems to have invented metal slides (which are the best) that don't get hot in the sun because these were too hot to use- mind you that's not an issue for 99% of the year in BC! Underneath the deck there is the 'inside' of the boat where the little ones can run about and climb through windows. The whole climbing frame has a pirate theme including a treasure map activity wall in the bow.

This isn't a flashy or challenging, but it is a nice neighbourhood playground that makes a nice stop-off en route to the breezy sea-front.

Tolmie Park Playground- Victoria

We stumbled across Tolmie park after taking a wrong turn and finding a dead end to turn around in and it led me to question if wrong turns always led me to playgrounds in the past? I seem to stumble across them all the time these days and maybe it's because I am on the lookout for brightly painted bars and sunlight on metal slides......or maybe I am just getting lost more.

Anyway, Tolmie Park playground is one of the typical 'well equipped but nothing special' playgrounds that seem to populate Greater Victoria. I am sure that it's well used and well loved and there were certainly happy playgrounders (I had to squash the urge to call them clients for a moment there) running around when we were there.

The park itself runs in a strip of grass between Saanich Road and Savannah Ave on Leslie- which breaks for the park in dead ends on both sides. There is plenty of parking on the Saanich Road side and a little parking on the other side, which is nearer to the playground. On a sandy base, there are two big kid swings, two toddler swings, a high hanging ladder, a digger machine and a climbing structure. This features several wooden platforms with a few climbing options, a short straight plastic slide and a higher curly plastic slide. Like I said, nothing outstanding to report here except for the fact that playgrounds like this remind me how lucky we are to have so many, and so good that one like this just seems 'normal'. In some parts of the world, in some parts of the country kids don't have these things. Better go before I go off on a tear-jerker?

Victor School Playground- Victoria

Today was a scorcher and we were out and about when 'A' asked to go to a park, then asked to go home, then asked to go to a park......this flip flopping led me to take a turn down Denman Street, a street that we've not been down before and catching sight of a school playground there we decided to stop for a play. When you go to as many playgrounds as we do, it takes a really special playground to wow us. That might be because of fairy-like woods, or stunning views or amazing popularity or decrepit dangers.......but when we find those special ones the excitement is fantastic.

Today was one of those finds and it was 100% down to the equipment. Victor School is for children with special needs and they have built themselves a playground that the kids can access and enjoy. There is so much here that I don't even know where to start. There are nice wide ramps up and down that lead past some of the best activity walls that I have ever seen. There are steering wheels with gears to shift, rotating hour-glass wheels with silver sand that falls when you turn it, the alphabet with braille letters and many more.

The ramps lead in a sort of diamond shape, one corner of which goes onto a giant seesaw with bench seats at either side.

There are three slides: a static inducing triple bumpy plastic slide, a double plastic short straight slide and then an incredible roller slide (see top photo)that is really fast. There are numerous things to climb up and down, lots to play with and there are even two periscopes! There are two towers of differing heights and the whole lot is on spongy floor tiles.

As with many school playgrounds, there are no public facilities, though parking is not a problem, and there are no swings. 'A' usually loses it if there are no swings but he was so entertained with this wonderful structure that he didn't even notice.

Ecole Quadra School Playground- Victoria

Ecole Quadra School is a big brick building right on the corner of Quadra St and Finlayson St in Victoria. It's playground is in two parts, one part with two old-school climbing frames, a newer climbing structure and 6 big kid swings in the actual grounds behind the school, and then two newer pieces out in what was probably once Fifth St, but is now a pedestrianized dead-end.


On a base of woodchips the older climbing structures on the school ground are of a similar era to the once at the Sundance Elementary on Bank St, though not as imaginative. They are in good shape and would provide good climbing for anyone. The newer climbing structure is really meant for climbing and hanging but something about it makes it look less exciting than it could have been; it almost looks stretched out. All of these are really aimed at the bigger kids who have climbing down-pat.


The first of the two structures out in the street is also older but in decent shape and offers a wood-log & tire style climbing frame with a double metal slide and a metal tunnel. 'A' wasn't really interested in this one because he was, of course attracted to the newer colourful one next to it....that was until of course delaying tactics for going home set in and he suddenly could NOT LEAVE until he'd tried out all of the equipment. Sigh.

The newer structure is bright plastic & metal and is in two parts. The first offers lower climbing options and activities and the higher of the two offers a climbing tower with a variety of climbing options- a plastic mountain style wall, a metal rope ladder wall, a twisted ladder (not recommended for little ones unless you like performing emergency rescues), and a climbing wall. There is a high metal slide which for some reason seems faster than many, which I know because 'A's normal fear of beetles and ants has been joined by a fear of...well...just about anything including slides, which meant that I had to climb up and slide down with him not once, but four times. Hard life huh?

This is a nice little playground with leafy trees providing shade, easy parking because of course you are not using it during school hours and grassy areas next door to play or picnic on.

Rutledge Park Playground- Victoria

Nestled between Inverness Rd and Scotia Rd just off Cloverdale Ave, Rutledge Park is a lovely, well-kept strip of urban-park. There is nice landscaping, lots of grass, a tennis court, parking on either side and a rather good little playground.

On a gravelly sand base there is the usual double big kid, double toddler swing combo, two bouncy things, a twirly thing and a climbing structure that is really aimed at the smaller kids- though it has a decent height of slide. It's a newer piece with several platform steps up, activity wall features, a tiny rope climbing wall and the aforementioned curved plastic slide.


The most interesting feature at this playground is the arched climbing...thing- need to think of a name for it. It's definitely for the bigger kids, 'A' took a stab at it and was caught like a fly in a web within one minute which required some untangling. We are seeing more and more of this kind of climbing structure appear which is great as they use the latest playground technology to create the most amount of playing options in a condensed space. Oh my...I sound like a magazine or worse still, an instruction manual. I'll get back to the playground...... So anyway, the climbing arch has lots to climb up and down and even a plastic hammock in case one gets tired halfway up.

Overall this is a surprisingly nice park and playground considering that it's in such a central location between pretty busy roads (Blanchard and Quadra are both stone throws away....if you can throw really well).

Okay, okay, so I can't finish off without mentioning the elephant in the room...or the park in this case. Yes, there is actually an elephant.....a large, pink elephant with no obvious purpose other than to provoke the question, what's that for?

Answers on a postcard please..............

Nottingham Park Playground- Victoria

We were somewhat lost in the Uplands the other week and driving down Nottingham Road we passed a piece of green park with a postage-stamp of a playground smack dab right in the middle of it. It seemed so small that I actually burst out laughing and we HAD to get out for a quick play.

And a quick play it was! This playground is almost like an obstacle in an obstacle race rather than a place that one would linger with the kids. We raced out of the car, across the grass, up the climbing pods, onto the platform, up onto the higher platform, down the slide......then, after doing the whole thing once more we pegged it back to the car and continued on being lost in the highlands. A perfectly good pit stop and if you need a leg-stretch sometime you should try it.

Oh......for the record. This is a new, lovely little playground in a grassy park that is pretty much a field. You can park along Nottingham. The climbing structure has some climbing options, a double plastic slide and two levels of platform. This is all on gravelly sand.

Cook St and Hillside Park Playground- Victoria

At the corner of Cook and Hillside there is a ballpark and a really nice playground. I hate to always give the newer playgrounds great reviews but it's hard not to when the equipment is well thought-out, well designed and in great shape.

There are two climbing structures joined in a rough circle by a rope climbing arch on one side and a range of things to climb on or hang from on the other. The whole area is on woodchips. The first side is aimed at the littler kids and features steps, some climbing options and a small tower with a decent length metal slide. The big kid side has lots to climb up onto a higher tower from which there is an even more decent metal slide! It's interesting to note that on this particular type of playground, many of the climbing features are so casually built in that on first inspection the whole structure might appear not to offer as much as it actually does. There are holes or slats to use as climbing aids and handles that would have been added with much more flair in an older design.


The climbing-rope-arch that links the two structures is a real hit with all ages and kids can do very different things on it according to their capabilities; in 'A's case it's to run over, start climbing, slip through, get stuck and holler to be rescued.


There are two gorgeous, in fact maybe the nicest bouncy-things that we have seen and little kids seem to instantly gravitate over to these on arrival. There are also two big kid and two toddler swings slightly apart from the climbing structure.

There are washrooms in this park but they were not open when we visited so I am not sure if they are only open when the baseball field is being used. There are benches, grass and whereas parking on the main roads may be difficult, there is a parking strip to the rear of the baseball field on Higgins Street. Lovely little playground- definitely worth a visit.

Doncaster School Playground- Saanich

I've said this before but many of the best playgrounds around belong to schools. That comes with a down-side of course- they can only be used when school is out and as a result of that there are no facilities such as washrooms, but nonetheless, there are a lot of great playgrounds that can be used by the public during evenings, weekends and during holidays.

Ecole Doncaster is located on Cedar Hill Road at Rowan and for those that have driven past, it has a pretty exciting looking playground out front. This is just one of two playgrounds at the school and it is primarily aimed at bigger kids. There are two log and bar climbing constructions with a huge variety of things to climb up, down and to hang from. They are both original in design which is always nice to see in climbing frames and although there are no slides or other 'frills' here, there is a Rope-cone roundabout and this playground, which is on woodchips would offer a ton of exercise and entertainment to any child.



It was while I was trying to get 'A' to play on this side that he caught sight of the other playground which is down the right of the school and this front playground was discarded to the wayside. The second playground is bigger, more colourful and caters to a wider range of kids. It's a strange mix of old and new, with the older apparatus being wood, bar and tire like the front. There are several of these offering a range of playing activities, mostly climbing options, but they also include a metal tunnel, metal slides, and lots of hang off.

The newer additions to the playground include a decent sized climbing structure similar to some of the newer ones you see around town. It has a curly plastic slide, a couple of towers, a bridge, lots to climb up an some activity wall features.



There is a separate climbing wall and wavy climbing ladder which must be very popular at break-time and I wonder how many times a week an over-enthusiastic climber yells to be rescued from the top. This side is also on a bed of woodchips and there are large grassy playing fields to take advantage of when, of course, school is out.

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.

Wark Common Playground- Quadra Village, Victoria

Wark Commons is a tiny little piece of land at Kings Ave and Wark St, that has obviously been built and maintained with love. With a wrought iron sign and gardens around the edges, half of the common is taken up with a playground, the rest made up of grass and trees.

For a small playground, the climbing structure is surprisingly big. It is in two main parts linked by a climbing bridge and features wooden ramps, a tunnel, a couple of towers, a variety of things to climb up and a plastic curly slide. Separate from the climbing frame there is a single swing combo- one toddler, one big kid and the whole lot is on a sand base. This is obviously a playground with local regulars and on a sunny afternoon you'll find a few sunbathers lounging on the grass.

There are not any other facilities here but because the playground is smack dab in the middle of Quadra Village it's easy to park, find washrooms and if you need a pick me up you can go next door to Cafe Fantastico where you'll find debatably the finest coffee in town.