Playground Bound

Sometimes a change is as good as a rest, even when it comes to playing. That’s why we like to explore new parks with the kids every once in a while—for the novelty factor. Here’s our hit list of the top parks in Vancouver that allow everyone to splash and play for the entire day. 

Central Park, Burnaby (Variety Park Playground)
Not only does it have an amazing selection of modern playground equipment for all age groups, it’s also located in a 90-hectare rainforest, with great wooded trails and duck ponds for exploring. Pack your bathers because there’s a small water park as well as a large outdoor pool located on the other side of the park. There’s even a pitch and putt for the junior golf enthusiasts.

Steveston Community Park, Steveston
This playground is really big and was recently renovated. With lots of great amenities like a climbing wall, a train, lots of slides, and a large, fenced-in water park, there is something for every age group. Be sure to take a walk to Steveston Landing and check out all the fishing boats from the pier above, then grab lunch at one of the village’s many options, including our fave pizza joint.

Granville Island Water Park
This is the largest free water park in North America boasting a giant, yellow waterslide for children. Make a day trip out of your visit to the park and include lunch at the Public Market, a boat ride on the Aquabus (small fee), and buy birdseed at Pedro’s Organic Coffee Shop ($2/bag) to feed the ducks along the docks behind the Kids’ Market.

We would be remiss not to mention Second Beach, Kits Beach, and Cate’s Park. These playgrounds, although not the biggest, are great, and their adjacent beaches make for some of the best natural water park fun there is. Of course, Second Beach and Kits have heated outdoor pools too, and Kitsilano is home to Vancouver’s only saltwater pool. 

So, beat the heat this summer, and head to one of the Lower Mainland’s great playgrounds for some low-cost, old-fashioned fun in the sun.

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