Although this playground is technically part of Riverfront Park, many mistaken it to be part of Gladstone-Riverside Park because it’s located almost exactly at the halfway point between the two parks. Cartographic essay and powerpoint presentation aside, let’s just say there’s more than one route to get to this playground.

Surrounded by deciduous trees, this simple playground looks like a narrow, elevated playhouse complete with a small roof and rigid plastic flag. There are steps, a ladder, and mini climbing wall to get to the metal slide. The swing set is located away from the main playing area to prevent little ones from obliviously running into swaying kids.

Note that apart from some low lying brush and thorny blackberry bushes, there isn’t much of a barrier to prevent a child from peeking over into the marshy riverbank nearby. Additionally, most dogs seen during our visit were off leash and eager to say hello to the kids because the walking path is very close to the playground itself.

As for getting to this playground, there are three options: First is to park in the small lot at Gladstone-Riverside Park, where there is a pier to overlook the tugboats and log booms along the Fraser River. Next to the pier is an emergency access ramp for firetrucks to draw water from the river, making it an easy way for families to get closer to the water too, although the sign cautions to use the ramp at one’s own risk. From here, the playground is about a 10 min walk east along the Fraser Lands Recreation Path. This portion of the trail is a little woodsy and we encountered many different bird calls and a tree that had been gnawed on by a beaver.

Second way to get to the Riverfront Park West playground is to park on East Kent Ave N at Elliot St, where one will find a ramp and steps to enter the recreational path. The playground is right at this entrance that’s embellished with light blue railings.

Thirdly, one can start at the other playground at Riverfront Park East and walk 10 mins west along the walking trail.

There is a fourth unlikely option to get here and that’s if you were to arrive via the Langara II barge, a green fishing lodge that parks itself here by the playground for the winter. So hey, that’s four ways to choose your own adventure. Which one will YOU choose? *pointing finger at you*

A couple of large trees provide partial shade for this happy Minions-coloured playground. It comes complete with a plastic tunnel slide, a wide metal slide, a hanging bridge, chain link ladder and a rare, square shaped tunnel. From the top platform, children can enjoy seeing barges and tugboats chugging along the Fraser River with log booms in tow. Pea gravel lies below with surprises of little acorns and twigs, creating some tactile play for little ones.

Right next to it are tennis and basketball courts, surrounded by flourishing community garden beds. Benches line one side of the playground but additional seating options like picnic tables, both sheltered and unsheltered, are found a little further down the grassy field. Included in the picnic area are two BBQs and a fieldhouse with washrooms.

Locals will know that the summer brings lovely blackberries near the foot and bike paths along the river, perfect for little ones to munch on by the handful (with parent’s permission of course!).

Street parking on East Kent Ave S is limited, especially on the weekend, so it’s suggested to try parking on East Kent Ave N instead, all the while respecting the residential spots reserved for locals. Look for a crosswalk to find the path that leads over the railroad tracks and down to the riverfront.

Unbeknownst to many, Riverfront Park actually has two playgrounds on site, hidden further west amongst the trees. For a lack of a better name, we have profiled it as Riverfront Park West.

If your family is here to explore the Fraser Lands Recreational Path and River District area, Driftwood Playground and Tugboat Landing await you eastwards.

Thanks to South Vancouver Family Place for kindly suggesting one of their favourite playgrounds, found here at Riverfront Park.

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As the name implies, Driftwood Playground is made mostly out of driftwood, albeit the metal pole and plastic slide. Perhaps looking like a skeletal belly of a marine animal, a strange blooming flower, or cold, skinny zombie fingers grasping towards the sky, this interactive, public art piece is open for interpretation and open for play.

Along with the climbing wall, ladder, slide and metal pole, there’s also a tunnel made from a hollow log right underneath the slide. Taking a closer look at the driftwood, one can ask a child to observe the intricate patterns of the woodgrain, which swirls and bends with the driftwoods’ knots and funny angles.

Beside this wooden structure is a stone circle under a shady tree, plus logs and benches for additional seating. There’s also a very thorny bush nearby that we couldn’t identify properly as the plant was bare due to our visit being in the middle of winter. Across the footpath is Romer’s Burger Bar (which might be one’s only option for a washroom in the immediate area) and a little free library.

Continue your walk or bike westward along the riverfront to find both Riverfront Park Playground East and Riverfront Park Playground West. Or venture eastward to get to the Tugboat Landing Playground. On our walk around Driftwood Playground, we saw hummingbirds and dormant blackberry bushes, giving clues as to what wildlife and vegetation one might come across once the weather warms up.

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While Tugboat Landing is a small community west of the River District area, this playground with the same name is located further east at the foot of Kincross St and North Arm Ave. Discrepancy aside, this bright red, almost boat shaped playground, pays tribute to the tugboats that chug along the Fraser River with log booms in tow.

Climb aboard and find three steering wheels to satisfy all captains on deck. Members can peer out from two submarine windows and a periscope, and slide down a tunnel or standard slide into the pea gravel sea below. A disjointed bow offers a special seat at the front to reenact the “I’m flying” Titanic scene, although your children are probably too young to understand the reference and will wonder what the heck their parents are doing standing together with their arms out wide.

The space underneath the playboat is noticeably more spacious than usual, adding an extra space for imaginary play, complete with small round windows and a talk horn to voice commands to the crew from the lower to upper deck. Logs and large stones line the perimeter of the playground, complimenting the log booms that float in the nearby river.

Two smokestacks with the words, “Adventure Ship” decorate the top of the playground, completing this ship’s look. Although we must point out the total lost opportunity here in not calling it the “Friend-Ship”, enabling all dads now to point out the joke instead.

Apart from the entrance to this parkette, the space is nicely contained and kempt with a small wooden path, benches, picnic tables and shrubs and had little to no hazards (that I could find). There are no large trees, which means this playground is in full sun. Unfortunately, the chain-link fence is wrapped with banner ads so there is no view of the river but the skies are abuzz with cranes constructing towers and murders of crows perching on riverside trees.

Note that this playground is currently in a fenced area behind the Wesgroup’s River District Sales Centre (aka MODE Presentation Centre). Street parking on Riverwalk Ave, Kincross St, or North Arm Ave is the way to go because the small parking lot is for real estate customers only.

Alternatively, approach this playground by walking along the picturesque waterfront trail. Look south to catch glimpses of wildlife and the aforementioned tugboats and turn north to see condos at various stages of completion. Great for kids who are construction site fans.

Extend your trip by heading west to Driftwood Playground and the two playgrounds at Riverfront Park. Or head east to River District’s Town Centre for additional amenities.

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