The Whole World Is Our Playground: Playground Review Lora Hill Park

I can't believe it's been six months since we explored a new playground, and we couldn't wait for spring to come so we could start exploring again.  That's why we have visits to three new  on our seasonal bucket list.

We were headed to Oakville for some Easter Egg hunting with the cousins and grandparents and decided we should enjoy the weather and blow off some steam first.  Lora Hill was en route to the highway and had received solid online reviews from other people in the area so we decided to go and check it out.

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 at multiplemomstrosity @ gmail.com .

Big slides at Lora Hill Park

Park Name:

Lora Hill Park

Islington and Norseman (36 Fernalroy Avenue)

Parking:

There is free street parking on the streets around the park, with more available on weekends.  The park is a 17 minute walk from Islington subway station.

Theme of Park:

Modern playground with something for people of any age. 

Ground Coverage:

The playground is surrounded by grass and has sand around the majority of the equipment.

The mini climber and slide designed for kids 18 months to 5 years old

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

This playground caters to everyone.  Not only are there two different main play structure areas, one for little kids and one for bigger kids, but there is also a tennis court right beside the playground so older kids or adults with kids who are big enough to play more independently could take in a game while the little ones play.

Best Parts of the Park:

The set up of this park is great.  Everyone has been considered.  It is easy to supervise kids in multiple structures, even from the tennis courts which are excellently maintained.  There are trees all around to provide shade coverage in hot summer months.  There are covered areas for the sandboxes and some covered benches so a sprinkle of rain, or parent who wants a shady retreat can sit without a sunburn.  There are also some picnic benches.

Racing up "the mountain" to the big kid structure

Downfalls:

There are a number of abandoned toys in this park in bad repair.  Molly wanted to ride in a toy car, but two of its wheels were missing and it tipped over, this could be particularly dangerous for little ones who aren't going to watch for sharp edges on broken plastic etc.

Racing to the top of the triangle climber

Overall Rating:

I would rate this playground a 4.5 out of 5.  Chris and I really want to go back to try a game of tennis while the kids play.  Molly's favourite item in the park was the triangle climber that we all raced up and down several times.  Jack loved the big slides.  I have to admit these are the tallest slides I've ever seen at a park, and they were pretty cool, aside from a bit of static.  We will definitely return!

To view my playground review of the playground with the boat (Vermont Square) click here.

To view my playground review of Pricefield Road Playground click here.

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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: Vine Avenue Playground Review

This weekend it was hot.  Hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, only the minions aren't old enough to really appreciate that one yet, so we'll keep that trick up our sleeves for now.*  So instead we decided to hit a local playground that features a splash pad with a little help from my brother.

 

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:

Vine Avenue Playground, Toronto Ontario

Location:

Vine Avenue,  just north of Dundas just west of Keele Street

 

Parking:

Some Street Parking for free (we walked over)

Theme of Park:

No real theme there, bright primary colours on the equipment.

Ground Coverage:

Small wood chips for the actual playground, grass in the outer area and cemented around the wading pool.

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

The park had great equipment for older kids with a few prime choices for the little ones (a lot of baby swings and spinners for Jack and a sandbox for Molly).  The play area separated nicely, and far from the road, so supervision becomes more about playing with your kids than preventing Jack from playing Frogger in the road.  The main draw for the younger kids is the wading pool.   The Splash Pad is open this year from June 28 - September 1st. Most of the children here while we played ranged from age one to eight.

 

Washrooms:

There were washrooms, but the doors were pad locked and there appears to be a Fry Guy guarding the place.

 

 

 

 

 

Special Features:

The splash pad has recently undergone a face lift and some maintenance thanks to the My Park is DiVine project that is selling T-shirts to help fund the beautification of the playground wading pool.  This pool is supervised with wading pool life guarding staff during designated hours (on Sunday they were there from 10am-6pm). 

 

Downfalls:

The actual play equipment is for kids a little older than ours, so for this summer and maybe next we will only really use the park for the splash pad.

Best Part of the Park:

The parents.  Everyone was so friendly and willing to encourage** their children to share and play well with other children. 

 

Tips:

Bring some buckets and beach balls so your kids have some fun items to play with while they wade.  Also, bring a pair of flip flops and prepare to get wet yourselves.  Oh, and don't forget to bring a towel!***



Overall Rating:

4/5

 

To read my review on Vermont Square Playground click here

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*I'm really excited to fry an egg on the sidewalk because my mom would never let us do that growing up because it was a waste of food.  Stupid, sensible mom.

**AKA Force.

***100 bonus points for anyone who picked up on that South Park reference.

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

Want Multiple Momstrosity updates on Facebook click here?

*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.