The Whole World Is Our Playground: Grange Park Playground Review

We've managed to make our summer more about play and kid focused, which means I'll be posting a lot more content in the next few weeks.

One of our summer bucket list items was to explore at least three new parks.  When we heard about the brand spanking new Grange Park we just knew we had to 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 .

Park Name:

Grange Park

In the heart of downtown Toronto, beside the Art Gallery of Ontario & OCAD
(Spanning the space between the intersections of Beverly Street & McCaul Street and Dundas Street and Queen Street)

Parking:

There is some pay parking available on the street, or you can walk over from St. Patrick Subway station or arrive via the Dundas or Queen Street car).

Theme of Park:

Innovative, artistic, modernly designed playground meant to inspire within the local art community.

Ground Coverage:

The playground has ample shade coverage and has soft wood chips to cushion any kid related falls.

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

Most equipment is designed for kids between 5-12 years old, but younger kids were happy to toddle, slide, and swing with the assistance of their caregivers.

Best Parts of the Park:

This park was amazingly innovative and accessible.  Even the benches have spaces for a person in a wheelchair to enjoy a snack.  The slides were some of the highest I've seen in a long time.  Both Molly and Jack agreed that their favourite part was climbing the giant barrel structure.

Jackie Climbs

Downfalls:

The splash pad sprinkler system either isn't working yet, or wasn't activated the day that we were there.  This was a major disappointment to Jack who wants all of our summer playground outings to involve water.

Overall Rating:

I would rate this playground a 4.5 out of 5.  The kids loved all the different structures to play on, and the shade of the trees was perfect for picnicking together.  There was a craft market very close by, so those attending on weekends may get to enjoy a little shopping with their play.

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.

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

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The Whole World is Our Playground: High Park Splash Pad

It's been a hot summer, really I'm not complaining.  We have air conditioning and have timed our outings for minimal heat exhaustion and been visiting parks and splash pads all over the city.

Approaching the new splash pad

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 .

Park Name:

High Park 

High Park and Bloor

Parking:

Parking within the park fills up quickly, particularly during hot summer and weekend days.  There is street parking available on High Park Avenue and the splash pad is just a very short walk from High Park Subway Station.

Theme of Park:

Classic playground, with ample green space for non-playground activities. 

Ground Coverage:

The playground itself has a sand covering, and cement in the new splash pad areas.  The grassy hills of high park are just a short walk away.

Molly and Jack get ready to splash

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

This playground is another one that is specifically geared to younger kids with one climber in particular dedicated to kids aged one to five and a splash pad to suit kids of all ages.  From July to September there is also a wading pool with lifeguards for those who really want to get wet.  There are some big kid swings.   

Best Parts of the Park:

This is High Park, so you can really make a day of it with your kids and travel around to other parts of the park including Jamie Bell Playground, the pool, Animal Paddocks, or take a ride on the High Park Trolley.  The new splash pad provides a great space for kids to cool off and good sight lines for parents with kids playing in the traditional playground or splash area.

Downfalls:

This park is geared towards younger kids and is incredibly crowded.  It could be easy to get trampled by older kids who have brought their water guns as a part of their water play.  The transition from sand to splash made for some pretty muddy kids by the time we went home (it definitely needed to be bath night).  My big complaint was the lack of nearby open washroom options for the kids and adults.

Sandy Molly

Overall Rating:

I would rate this playground a 3 out of 5.  It's local and would be a wonderful place to attend for the day, or if you lived close by and really wanted to cool off, but there are so many better things to do in High Park compared to the over-crowded splash pad. That being said, when it's over 30 degrees outside, it might be worth getting a little sandy.

To find 10 more free splash pads around the city to beat the heat click here

To read my review of High Park's Jamie Bell Playground click here.


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Follow Multiple Momstrosity on Twitter @Sarabethbug

This is Our Playground: McCleary Playground

Anyone who has been following this blog for a while knows that I'm pretty obsessed with exploring Toronto area playgrounds, hikes, and other activities that embrace nature.  I'm thrilled that Molly now shares this passion with me and routinely asks when we're going to visit a new park or playground. I have been excited about the prospect of Bienenstock Natural Playgrounds, a popular concept among urban dwellers who also love nature.  

Bienenstock is a leader in producing innovative, safe playgrounds that are built using natural materials taken directly from nature.  When a friend asked us to meet him in Toronto's east end neighbourhood of Leslieville on a sunny weekend afternoon, I knew we had to visit Toronto's own Bienenstock Playground, McCleary Playground.

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:

McCleary Playground 

75 McGee Street Toronto (Just East of Queen and Broadview)

Parking:

This park has local street parking and is also steps away from the Queen Street Car Stop (Boulton Avenue Stop). 

Theme of Park:

Natural Playground in an area with a lot of young families, that required green infrastructure.

Ground Coverage:

Primarily dirt, with some wood chips.

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

There are some awesome rocks and ropes for climbing, playing and imagination games. There is also a giant rope to use as a balance beam and a sizeable sandbox for kids who want to dig and build castles.

Best Parts of the Park:
This playground area has a number of picnic giant benches and armchairs made out of trees that are great for both picnics and imagination games.  It also has a wheelchair and stroller accessible track of sorts around the perimeter of the grounds, complete with wheelchair access to the two slides.

Wheelchair accessible slides at McCleary Playground 

Low risk, high reward rope climber for lil ones

Downfalls:

This is an imagination based play area, so if your children are used to letting big and elaborate playground structures guide their play this might take some getting used to.  The playground was empty, besides us, on a sunny and warm day, fortunately our play encouraged a family I saw watching from their home across the street to come out and use what was available in their own "backyard".  A set of swings would really go a long way, but I doubt this playground/parkette had the real estate available to actually install any.

Balancing Molly

Jackie climbing through the tree arm chair

Overall Rating:
I would rate this park a 3.5 out of 5.  The kids had such a good time climbing the rocks, playing hide and go seek, tag and digging in at the sandbox.  As a kid I know I would have loved playing house among the tree arm chairs.  The concept of this playground is so neat, just come prepared to assist your children in a nature focused play, or by possibly bringing supplies to build in the sandbox if they aren't used to it.  It really bummed me out how empty this park was, but I also know that we often ignore our local parkette in favor of some weekend adventure and exploration.  To view the Bienenstock portfolio for a playground near you click here.

To read my review of a book that discusses the importance of nature play, How to Raise A Wild Child, The Art and Science of Falling in Love with Nature click here.

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!

Follow Multiple Momstrosity on Twitter @Sarabethbug

The Whole World is Our Playground: Perth Square Park

On the long weekend we decided to explore a park a little closer to home, in hopes of avoiding some gridlock and getting more time at the park.

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:

Perth Square Park (Junction Triangle) -  Four blocks east of Dupont Street and Dundas Street West

Parking:

There is street parking nearby at no cost.  The 40 Junction Bus (which often runs every eight to ten minutes) will drop you four blocks away from the park.

Theme of Park:

Traditional playground.

Ground Coverage:

Sand and cement surrounding by grassy areas.

Variety of Equipment for different ages:

There is some great equipment for kids of all ages here.  On the other side of the playground is Perth Avenue Junior Public school which has a schoolyard featuring permanent hockey nets for anyone who wants to play a game of pickup instead of regular playground fare.

Best Parts of the Park:

This park is a little off the beaten path and has been somewhat forgotten, meaning it's not overcrowded and your kids will have the choice of whatever equipment they want.  The playground also features an "old school" spinner that I haven't seen anywhere since I was a kid.  There is good shade coverage and a basic splash pad.

 Jack on the spinner.

Playing at the Splash Pad.

Downfalls:

This isn't the prettiest playground, but it has a wide variety of different activities for any kids.  The older equipment and sanded areas means that it isn't a very accessible playground.

Overall Rating:

This park was a surprising find.  I had very little expectation for this great hidden gem that I was almost reluctant to share (cause I'm greedy like that), but parks are for playing and this one is a find! I'd rate it 4.0/5.0 - mainly because there was a lot of variety of things to do and the kids had their pick of any item on the playground with no waiting.

To read my review of a park in Roncesvalles Village click here