This is a fine playground yet I can’t recommend it to anyone because there’s a hot coal disposal pit right next to it. Like who does that? Who in the city approved that this was the best spot for a coal disposal pit? Curious kids like mine obviously went to see why there was smoke coming out from it, climbed on top of it, and used it as a jumping point. 

Yes, I did report it to 311. No, I didn’t get a response. And no, I haven’t gone back since to see if the coal pit was moved to a more suitable spot. It’s just plain annoying. Imagine going there and then spending your entire time hawk eyed that kids don’t touch it because THERE’S HOT COALS INSIDE. Ugh.

The unique tire bridge is the main attraction here at Cartier Park playground. It provides a balancing act for kids as it sways and jiggles with every careful step. Although the tires are suspended by chains, they’re also anchored to the ground, similar to those balance poles found at other playgrounds. My 5 year old is a cautious one, so it was a precarious and slow but triumphant journey across the tire walkway. It was fun just sitting on a tire for a swing and a rest as well.

There’s a lot to enjoy around Renfrew Community Centre, such as the aquatic centre, library, dog park and wooded ravine. Our focus for this post is the playground on the north side of the community centre in Renfrew Community Park.

The playground is divided into four distinct sections – the main play structure, the toddler structure, the swing sets and wading pool. As always, it is great that the swings are off to the side so that kids are not accidentally smoked in the head by a soaring child. 

This little old playground at West Point Grey Community Centre is mostly enjoyed by the preschool kids that attend here. The most memorable feature is the vintage blue whale, that waits with a smile to take the next kid for a springy ride to nowhere.

Sahali Park playground comes with a crow. Sometimes two. Can you spot them in the photos? We didn’t test the equipment out in case the crows were territorial but they stayed perched either here or the electrical wires near the community garden with the pigeons. Is it called a murder flock if a bunch of crows and pigeons hang out?

This playground is actually located at the top of the slope and across the street from Falaise Park, making it slightly confusing if one were to make a playdate without knowing this tidbit. Otherwise, this colourful playground is divided into two play areas with plenty to do for different ages.

A fun feature at Falaise Park is the wooden truck with a large roof and four steering wheels. In the same area is a bubbly plastic play structure with arched rooftops, multiple slides, windows and a broken gear panel. In the same area is a freestanding monkey bar component and an additional wall of three yellow, window play panels. 

The second area features a larger structure with things like ziptracks, monkey bars, sliding poles, a climbing wall and a wooden bridge. There’s also a twirly slide and other types of climbers. Off to the side is a swing set.

This second structure feels less sturdy with old wooden floor panels, compared to the other one that has platforms made from solid metal. This area uses pea gravel for the ground while the area with the toddler structure uses gravely sand.

Like most playgrounds, there are shady trees near the perimeter but both playgrounds here are in full sun, making some slides and elements hot to the touch. During the summertime the wading pool can provide relief from the heat.

Lastly, the fieldhouse has been upgraded to be universally accessible and includes a “wave to open” sensor for opening the door. This automation, although providing accessibility, can also be a curse for those with kids that like to play with technology. A simple wave of the hand enables them to easily unlock and auto-open the door during one’s mid-pee. 

I saw this happen elsewhere to someone, so I made sure not to go when my kids were with me. But with that said, it easily could have been me if I didn’t know! We should probably request these things have a child-lock so parents don’t have to deal with such unfortunate circumstances. Redesign please!

Similar to other playgrounds that are dedicated to preschools, this one is available after hours and is fully fenced. It’s part of the Hillcrest Community Centre and is located on the same side as the Terry Salman Library entrance. 

The sand area with a pergola is quite large and right next to a small playhouse that’s similar to the one at Rosemary Brown or Khorana Park. On the other side is a play structure with a slide and signature Kompan components like telescope, megaphone, spinning paddle wheel and joystick.

A wide, bench-like seesaw welcomes multiple riders. Take note that one side has a back and large foot rest to provide extra security for younger kids while they ride.

There are other natural aspects to appreciate too, as one side of the playground is a grassy hill for climbing. One can let their child explore the perimeter and walk through some vegetation with no extra worries as the play area is fully fenced. Natural logs and inset stones, as well as a cute little wooden bridge either add to the space or is a tripping hazard, depending on who you ask.

Unique sewer covers with a lattice design surrounded by a stone patterned ground. There’s a shed off to the side that provides a small covered area as well.

Although this playground is fully fenced, there are two gates that people tend to leave open from time to time. Both don’t lead to a high traffic areas, but it’s unfortunate to have to keep an eye on gates that should be kept closed

Ahoy! Pirate ships have marooned at a handful of playgrounds in Vancouver. One has even been spotted as far away as Tofino! These pirate ships sure like to travel around our beautiful province. Have you visited one of these pirate parks yet, me maties?

This little playground is visible from the street on Eagles Dr and located between a few residential buildings. There’s a shared lawn space beside the play area and a dry stone stream along the perimeter. Two mysteriously shaped spring riders and a small multi-level platform sums up this little play spot. 

The platform has interesting patterns, a simple pair of binoculars, steering wheel and joystick. The main structure is ambiguous enough that it could be anything from a ship to an Uber UFO. 

We didn’t stay here for long because my kids quickly found throwing the stones from the dry creek was more entertaining than the play structure itself. Probably a good spot for little toddlers looking for a quiet place to play.

Street parking is quite limited in the area with a few two hour spots. It’s also very close to Jim Taylor Park playground and the Reconciliation Pole.

Beaconsfield Park is one of three new playgrounds that have reopened to the public in July 2021. The main feature here is the climbing rope dome that we’ve seen a handful of times at playgrounds such as Trout Lake and Nobel Park. Inside this web of ropes is a vinyl mat and plastic seat, a rope ladder, sliding pole and plastic plank.

The most unique feature here is the overheard spinner that has a spherical cage in the middle, which invites different ways for kids to hang or sit while spinning like a maniac.

Because these two play components are catered for older kids, the younger children tend to gravitate towards the other side of the playground which has a sand area, pergola-like play hut and embankment slide. 

Interestingly, the fine sand here is evenly mixed with jagged rocks, which I found to be strange. I am not sure if this is a new type of ground cover, but it did make for imaginative treasure hunting type play. Another thing to note is that the fine sand makes the rubber embankment hill quite slippery for some kids. There is also a dust factor with the sand being so fine, because it’s been a very dry summer. My childhood tells me there should be damp sand underneath the top layer of dry sand but no matter how deep we dug, the sand remained dry. Which was also strange. 

Although some parts of the playground are surface accessible, there is very little here that make it inclusive. I point this out because it’s a new playground and it should be something to expect. It just felt like something was missing in this space that would make it feel special. 

On the other hand, there is a wonderful community garden behind the playground that’s worth exploring. There are beds lush with growth as well as cute fruit trees. A grand willow tree sways in the breeze and there’s also a bunch of logs from the remains of a tree that was cut down. There’s also the Italian Cultural Centre’s Il Forno Community Oven on the other side of the park for all your impromptu pizza making needs.