The Whole World Is Our Playground: Revisiting Jeff Healey Playground

In the summer of 2013 Chris and I took the minions to explore Jeff Healey Playground, a park dedicated to Canadian music icon Jeff Healey and his memory, that at the time was still a work in progress.  I'm pleased to report that the regular fundraisers have allowed the completion of the playground and there is now an interactive musical feature that Jeff Healey himself would love.

My park review disclaimer: If you don't live in the area I hope you enjoy the pics and can use some of the ideas to inspire and explore in your own city. If you have any recommendations for great playgrounds ideally some in Toronto proper (indoor or out or new criteria I haven't thought of) please post a comment on this post or email me at multiplemomstrosity@gmail.com

The park is located at Royal York and The Queensway in Toronto (Etobicoke).

Here are some recent photos of the new (to us), music focused equipment that was installed in 2015.

Making Music at Jeff Healey Playground

Beautiful Bells

Jack makes a move towards the colourful drums

Jack is finally big enough to master climbing to the top of the "big kid" structure at the park.

In my previous review I didn't score this playground very high, but a lot of the reason for my score had to do with the age of my children, with the play structures being too "big-kid" focused for the abilities of Molly and Jack who were just two years old at the time.  Now that my kids are four they loved what was available, and I'd say that the added musical feature provides another activity that kids of any age can enjoy.  Today I'd probably rate the playground a solid 4/5.  I'd also add in that the location of this park and playground has made it a best kept secret for the area, and there was no overcrowding, despite it being a beautiful spring day!

To read my review of this park from 2013 click here.

To read my recent review of McCleary (Natural) Playground click here.

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The Whole World is Our Playground: Trinity Bellwoods Park

We had been hearing about how amazing Trinity Bellwoods Park was long before Toronto's hipsters turned it into their own personal beer garden.  A couple of weeks ago, on one of the blistering Humidex heat alert days, we decided to head over and give the playground and splash pad a try.

My park review disclaimer: If you don't live in the area I hope you enjoy the pics and can use some of the ideas to inspire and explore in your own city. If you have any recommendations for great playgrounds (or new criteria I haven't thought of) please post a comment on this post or email me.

Park Name:

Trinity Bellwoods Park 790 Queen Street West

Parking:

This park has a lot of local street parking around the perimeter of the park.  It is also steps away from the Queen Street Car Stop (Crawford Street Stop). 

Theme of Park:

Green escape in the city.

Ground Coverage:

Primarily sand in the playground with grassy areas on the exterior.  Pavement around the wading pool area.

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

There are some great climbers for a variety of ages in this park.  I'd argue that there aren't enough "baby" swings here to meet visitor's needs, so there is a lot of waiting if your little ones like swings or slides.

Best Parts of the Park:
On a hot and sunny day this playground area provides a great deal of shade coverage to keep little ones and their caregivers cool.  This playground area has a number of picnic benches in a wooded area adjacent to it, allowing for some great picnic space.

Downfalls:

The playground equipment is spaced very close together, which makes the park seem busier than it is.  We spent significant time waiting for other kids to finish with more popular pieces of equipment like the twisty slide and swings. There were also a number of older boys who were roughhousing and being rowdy and pushy, climbing up the slides and not really being super considerate of the younger kids trying to play - they ignored my dirty looks and appeared to be unsupervised.  We were told that the wading pool would open up at 12 o'clock and anxiously waited in the 30 degree heat.  By 12:10 it was apparent that it either wasn't opening at all that day (despite what was posted on the city website) or the person running the water was late for work.  We packed up and left for another park at that point because both kids really wanted to cool off and everyone was tired of waiting for the water.

Overall Rating:
I would rate this park a 3 out of 5.  If you live in the area, don't let my review scare you away from enjoying Trinity Bellwoods, it's just not a playground that I would go out of my way to visit but a solid local option if you live nearby.  It was too crowded to merit the distance for us.

To read my review of Perth Square Park in Junction Triangle click here.

To read my review of Jean Sibelius Square in the Annex click here.

To get access to the newest posts from Multiple Momstrosity and more on Facebook click here and follow today!

The Whole World is Our Playground: Vermont Square Playground Review



Once the nice weather hit the city we began to explore local playgrounds with the minions.  It didn't take us long this spring to visit almost every park within walking distance of us.  While local parks are great on a regular basis, Chris and I wanted to mix it up a bit and get some new destinations and neighbourhoods to explore for our weekend play time with the kids.  As I started my research of some great parks in and around the city I realized how hard it is to find out what's out there and how appropriate it is for your kids (beyond the biggies like High Park and Toronto Island).  

Over the next several months I'll be providing reviews of parks in the GTA on a fairly regular basis based on some of the criteria we have.  If you don't live in the area I hope you enjoy the pics and can use some of the ideas to explore in your own area.  If you have any recommendations for great playgrounds (or new criteria I haven't thought of) please post a comment on this post or email me.

Park Name: 

Vermont Square Playground, Toronto Ontario 

Location:

Palmerston Avenue, just south of Dupont between Christie Avenue and Bathurst Street

Parking:

Some Street Parking for free

Theme of Park:

It seems to be Ship themed, Ahoy!

Ground Coverage:

Sand within the actual playground, grass in the outer area.*

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

The park had great equipment for older and younger kids that was separated nicely so those who are less steady on their feet can play without being bowled over by older kids.  Play areas are still close enough together that a parent could easily supervise children of different ages in both sections of the playground.  There were both big kid and baby swings available.  In the summer months there is a splash pad.  Most of the children here while we played ranged from age two to eight.

 The Equipment for the older kids

 The toddler area

Washrooms:

Apparently there are washrooms, but I can't vouch for their cleanliness or availability.**

Special Features:

The play area had a tap in the sand box area to aid children in their pursuit of mud pies, sand castles and anything messy.  A few veteran parents had already equipped their offspring with rain boots and a change of clothes. 

This blue over sized top was a great way to spin Molly and Jack around.  They loved it, but toppled over if we went too fast.  A few other random kids jumped in to enjoy the free ride.

Downfalls:

With it being a city parkette we had to be more aware of the litter on the ground (i.e. broken bottles etc.) and Jack found a wine cork that he kept on trying to eat.

Best Sighting While There:



It appears this abandoned toy was vandalised, but Jack didn't mind cause he's punk rock like that.

Overall Rating:

4.5/5

To view a review of Vine Avenue Playground click here

To read my review of Jamie Bell Adventure Playground click here

To read my review of Dufferin Grove Playground click here

To read my review of Neshama Playground click here

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*You may be asking yourself, why is that important?  Molly does not like walking on sand much.  It makes her suspicious and slow on her feet.  While entertaining for us, sand coverage probably makes any playground about 20% less fun for her.  While she enjoyed this playground, she spent a lot of time on the grass around it.
**One of the only benefits of your children still being in diapers is the ability to avoid the stench of public washrooms.