Family-friendly parks in Toronto
So you’re out with the kids looking for a spot where they can let loose, cool off in a splash pad, and you…well, you can take a breather. There are countless parks around Toronto, but it can be difficult to map them while on the go, and some are kept secret by savvy parents. No need to wander around aimlessly! Here’s are some favourites recommended by toddler chasers around the city. [Image credit: iStock.com/Geber86]
Gledhill Park
125 Gledhill Ave, Toronto, ON M4C 5K7Gledhill Park is just next door to Gledhill Public School and offers a small playground. Being fully enclosed by a fence makes Gledhill stress-free for those with toddlers. The playground is complete with plastic swings, climbers and slides. One perk with this park is that parents have an unspoken agreement to leave awesome kids toys around for all to use. It’s not uncommon to find a life-sized car for your tiny tot to take a test drive in. Despite a lack of shade, a fountain and splash pad is also available for cooling off.
Withrow Park
725 Logan Ave, Toronto, ON M4K 3C7With about eight hectares of shady rolling hills, two baseball diamonds and tennis courts, Withrow Park is one of the largest parks in the central city. The original jungle gym hosts a sandbox floor, and you may prefer this spot if your kids are independent and want some distance from the younger children. The newer, larger jungle gym is decidedly safe for young kids. The space offers a few low-rise climbing structures, multiple plastic slides, a four-person teeter totter and a wading pool, all fenced in. Water fountains and three public washrooms are available on-site.
Woodbine Beach Park
1675 Lake Shore Blvd E, Toronto, ON M4L 3W6South of Queen Street East, Woodbine Beach Park is a historic feature at the shores of Lake Ontario. A snack bar is open right next door with drinking fountains and washrooms are open from April to October. During hot summer months, lifeguards are on duty to help keep an eye on little ones, should you need to cool off in the lake. But the real beauty of Woodbine Beach Park is that it’s far from any busy roads, making it a bit of an oasis within the city. That said, watch for bikes, as the path does cross right along the playground.
Greenwood Park
150 Greenwood Ave, Toronto, ON M4L 2R1Conveniently located on Greenwood Avenue just north of Dundas, Greenwood Park is great in all seasons. The six-hectare park is home to many recreational activities, including a children’s play structure, splash pad, two baseball diamonds, fire pits, and a sports field. It also houses the first covered outdoor ice rink in the city, which can be used for skating or ball hockey. If you’d like to teach your kids about plants, you’re in luck. Recently, a community garden was added to the park. In the winter, skate along the outdoor path, or toboggan down one of the park hills.
Oriole Park
201 Oriole Pkwy, Toronto, ON M5P 2H4Nearest to Davisville subway station, Neshama Playground in Oriole Park is a favourite for midtown parents. Neshama offers the standard features, including swings, monkey bars and a long suspension bridge. Neshama also offers a magical water park surrounded by animated water sprinklers shaped like frogs, lily pads and dragon flies. The playground is wisely designed so that toddlers and older kids can play together where they choose or stay separate in their own areas. The wide ramps and squishy rubber ground make it easily accessible for strollers, wheelchairs and toys on wheels.
Hideaway Park
23 Audley Ave, Toronto, ON M4M 1P5For parents in the Leslieville area or generally on Queen Street East, there is a little retreat available for some playtime with the kiddos. Hideaway Park offers a small, but modern playground and sandbox just right for small kids. A super-mini plastic slide is even small enough for kids under three years. Other, movable toys are often found in the sandbox as well. In such a busy area, this playground offers a quiet, relatively enclosed hideaway only accessible by laneways. Dog walkers do not frequent this park, so canine-sightings are kept to a minimum.
Jamie Bell Adventure Park
1873 Bloor St W, Toronto, ON M6R 2Z3Located near the duck pond in High Park is Jamie Bell Adventure Park, a playground which takes on the image of a medieval village. But be warned: you may have a difficult time deterring your kids from the ice cream truck that stations itself just outside the playground. Jamie Bell also has the added perk of proximity to the zoo on Deer Pen Road, which means you can take the kids to see some bison, llamas and capybaras. It can get especially busy on weekends, so it’s wise to arrive early for a parking spot.
