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By Marshall Jones
This summer we wanted to share some of the playgrounds that have kept our kids entertained for years. Sometimes nothing does it for kids but the playground. But what age is it appropriate for? Is there shade? Swings? Sand, gravel or rubber ground? Here’s the full report.
1. Quilchena Splash Park: Before 2003, my young kids would go on a regular pilgrimage from West Kelowna just to let loose on the structures there which included a puppet theatre, tree house, rocket, suspension bridge and about anything else to hang on, climb on, slide down or jump off. The new version is somewhat of an homage to the firefighters that tried to save it. It now includes a small water park, long slides from a high hill, tall houses and everything else you might expect. Shade is a premium, however.
2. Sutherland Park: Pulling up along the fringes of this North end park the children’s playground stands out like a rainbow on a cloudy day. Toddlers and older kids will like the diversity and parents will like the toilets proximity to it, when the need arises. The playground is tucked away and fenced in the corner of the large grassy park but there is no gate and it sits feet from Ellis street and minutes from the top of Knox Mountain.
3. Watson Road playground: They have an older playground structure in pea gravel for younger tikes and a more challenging new structure for older elementary school kids including some neat features. I have to agree with my new friend that in the dead heat it has just one trouble—a lack of shade and few benches for parents.
4. City Park: The water park is one of the best around; it’s huge, wet and monitored by close circuit cameras for preventive measures although the slippery slide has a line up of drenched kids all day long. Conveniently situated beside the water park is the skateboard park, so once you’ve heated up after boarding you can soak your sweaty head under one of the many spouting fountains.
5. Ben Lee Park: It’s got its own waterpark which is newer and more varied than Kelowna’s City Park, perfect for beating some of the intensely hot temperatures coming at us this week. It has small water slides, a concession, washrooms, change rooms, basketball courts and, of course, a playground. Pre-school kids will love the truck.
6. Mission Creek playground: At ages 10 and 9, kids have simply outgrown outgrown it. They used to hold us in the playground for hours on the many amenities. I will say the old school iron playground equipment in the shape of an elephant takes me back. The nice thing about Mission Creek park, however, is that it has so many other things to do.
7. Rose Valley: It has plenty for younger children as well, including a cute ice cream stand, which is a nice touch. The structure is new and mostly metal with strong plastic. There are plenty of open fields nearby for frisbee or a game of catch. The only challenge for parents is a lack of shade and a comfortable place to sit. But honestly, who can sit when there’s climbing to do? Rose Valley elementary school is on Westlake Road. Park on the side where there’s a little shade.
