long live outdoor play - Splash Pad Reviews

long live outdoor play

Avondale Park Splash Pad

8/31/2017

Area: East Courtice

Hours of Operation: end of June to late August from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking: some street parking on Avondale Drive

Ground Cover: soft rubber

Main Equipment: *button activated

1 tall spray post
1 spray arch
multiple in ground fountain jets

Accessibility Features: due to the concrete lip on this splash pad there is only one location it is wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see Avondale Park post

Seating: 1 park bench facing the splash pad

Shade: none on the splash pad, but right beside the splash pad there is plenty of shade from the trees

Overall assessment: We made it finally to the last splash pad voted on our top 10 list for 2017 by you! This is a great splash pad with plenty of places to picnic and spend an entire afternoon. The spongy rubber surface makes it perfect for those just learning to walk as well (although watch out for the concrete lip surrounding the entire area).

Uxbridge Bonner Boys Splash Park

8/9/2017

Area: Uxbridge

Installed: 2014

Hours of Operation: May to September from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking: large parking lot at the Uxbridge Arena and Recreation Centre right at the splash pad entrance

Ground Cover: cement

Main Equipment:

3 bucket dump that spins!
1 large moose that spits water and has a rainfall under his belly
1 bear holding a fish that spits water
1 spray arch
3 small spray critters (turtle, butterfly and ladybug)
1 spray bubble post
multiple in ground spray jets and fountain style jets!

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

basketball net in the back parking lot pavement
amphitheater beside the splash pad
closest playground is Quaker Trail Park (a 5 minute walk away) **review coming soon

Seating: 6 picnic tables in the shade pavilion, multiple park benches around the splash pad as well as retaining wall rock seating

Shade: none over the splash pad, shade pavilion right beside the splash pad

Overall assessment: This is one of the best splash pads we have been to in Durham Region! It is so unique with the animal theme and spray jets! Also the random movements and power of the in ground spray jets and fountains themselves brings excitement and anticipation to the kids at play because you never know which ones will shoot out next, or if the fountains will be small or large! A couple of the smaller spray critters weren't operating when we were visiting, but that didn't impact the fun at all because there are soooo many other ways to enjoy the water! We will definitely make a day trip back to Uxbridge for this splash pad again! There are two sensor activation posts, but we couldn't tell which post activated which water features because the other kids were constantly ensuring they were always activated hahaha. There are no outdoor washrooms, but we imagine you could use the rec centre facilities if needed.

Toronto Zoo Splash Island

7/25/2017

Area: Toronto East

Address: 2000 Meadowvale Rd, Toronto, ON M1B 5K7
Website: www.torontozoo.com/
Cost*: (*as of 2017)

2 & under - FREE
3-12 yrs - $19/child
13 yrs+ - $29/person
yearly memberships are available (please check their website)

Parking: $12* per vehicle (*as of 2017)
Hours of Operation for Splash Island: (zoo hours differ, please check their website)

Jul 1- Sep 4 - 10:30 am – 6:00 pm daily
Sep 5 - Sep 10 - 10:30 am to 5:30 pm weekends/holidays

Age Range: all ages

Ground Cover: cement and recycled rubber

Main Equipment:

multiple bucket dumps
multiple spray arches
multiple spray animals (it's Canada themed!)
4 slides (2 larger tunnel ones that are monitored by staff for safety)
multiple in ground jets
and more!

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible (including a ramp to the two larger tunnel slides)

Seating: multiple muskoka chairs around the pad area, a rock wall also provides seating, or the grass if you bring a picnic blanket

Shade: none over the splash pad, some shade in surrounding trees, over chairs and around rock wall seating

Overall assessment: Included with your zoo admission, it just makes sense to pack a picnic and make the zoo a day trip with splash pad fun! This splash pad is spread over two acres and is Canada themed with a map at the entrance that lets you mix learning with fun. I do suggest kids wear water shoes here as some climbing equipment can get slippery and bare feet and flip flops will certainly cause some falls. We like the fact that there are washrooms and change rooms on site, a staff member at the gate to ensure those entering the area are bringing in children (yeah, sorry no cooling off for adults only), there are staff manning the two taller tube slides to ensure kids are properly spaced out for safety, and that there are lockers on site (bring your own change). Instead of using lockers, I just loaded everything into a stroller with my newborn and followed our toddler around the splash pad.

Yes you can navigate the entire area to stay within eyesight without getting too wet! A few gusts of wind and I got a little 'spritzed' with some water and mist, but it actually felt nice since it was so hot the day we visited. The only thing I suggest for parents is to wear flip flops (ooops I made the mistake of only wearing sneakers and my socks were wet by the end of the afternoon). Now we make sure to pack our water gear every time we go to the zoo just in case we feel like cooling down at the end of the day!

Pearce Farm Park Splash Pad

7/14/2017

Area: Newcastle

Hours of Operation: end of June to late August from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking: street parking on Shipway Ave

Ground Cover: cement

Main Equipment:

3 bucket dump
1 large spray palm tree
1 whale spray arch tunnel
multiple in ground jets

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see Pearce Farm Park post **Coming Soon!**

Seating: 2 park benches at the splash pad, extra benches around the adjacent playground

Shade: none over the splash pad, shade structure over two park benches, some shade in surrounding trees

Overall assessment: A great splash pad and park for a day trip! The trees are still new and have a lot of growing to do, but offer enough shade on the grass to spread out a picnic blanket to stay for lunch or a snack.

West Side Park Splash Pad

7/9/2017

Area: Southwest Bowmanville

Hours of Operation: end of June to late August from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking:
Weekdays: some street parking on West Side Drive (opposite side of the street from the park)
Weekends: large parking lot at Dr. Ross Tilley public school on West Side Drive

Ground Cover: cement

Main Equipment:

1 large spray post

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see West Side Park post

Seating: 2 park benches between the park and splash pad

Shade: none near the splash pad, shade structure over both park benches, some shade in surrounding trees

Overall assessment: A small spot to cool off right beside the local playground!

Country Lane Park Splash Pad

7/9/2017

Area: Northwest Whitby

Hours of Operation: June to September from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking:
Weekdays: some street parking off of Randolph Ave just across from the playground
Weekends: large parking lot at Captain Michael Vandenbos Public School on Country Lane beside park

Ground Cover: cement

Main Equipment:

bucket dump post
spray post
multiple in ground water jets

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see Country Lane Park post

Seating: 2 park benches facing the splash pad

Shade: no shade over the splash pad, but shade is available in the surrounding trees

Overall assessment: With a lot of trees, paths, and open field space, it is easy to make this splash pad and adjacent playground a picnic spot for a day trip!

Portage Park Splash Pad

6/30/2017

Area: South Whitby

Hours of Operation: June to September from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking: small parking lot off of Portage Trail (intersecting with Channel Drive)

Ground Cover: cement

Main Equipment:

multiple spray posts
in ground water jets

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see Portage Park post
seasonal washrooms (portable - from May to first week of October, 9am to 9 pm)

Seating: 3 park benches beside splash pad

Shade: shade structure over three park benches between playgrounds and splash pad, some shade in surrounding trees

Overall assessment: Enjoy a day trip to this splash pad with a toddler play structure, larger play structure, plenty of swings, lots of picnic spots (bring your own blanket), and seasonal washrooms. There is more than enough parking to meet up with friends, play tag through the trees, half court basketball, or baseball.

Walbridge Park Splash Pad

6/28/2017

Area: Newcastle

Hours of Operation: end of June to late August from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking:
Weekdays: very limited street parking during school hours
Weekends: plenty of parking at the Newcastle Public School lot

Ground Cover: cement

Main Equipment:

1 rainbow arch tunnel
1 arch spray post
spray posts
in ground water jets

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see Walbridge Park post

Seating: 3 park benches beside splash pad

Shade: shade structure over one park bench facing the splash pad, surrounding trees have some shade but no shade directly over the splash pad

Overall assessment: A good sized splash pad next to a playground! Good for a day trip so pack a lunch!

Vanier Park Splash Pad

6/23/2017

Area: Central Whitby

Hours of Operation: June to September from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking: some street parking on the North side of the park at the end of Vanier Street

Ground Cover: cement

Main Equipment:

3 bucket dump post
1 flower umbrella spray post
spray posts
in ground water jets

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see Vanier Park post

Seating: 2 park benches beside splash pad, stones around the adjacent playground

Shade: shade structure over the park benches beside the splash pad

Overall assessment: A good sized splash pad next to an amazing playground! Good for a day trip so pack a lunch!

Bons Park Splash Pad

6/23/2017

Area: North Bowmanville

Hours of Operation: end of June to late August from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., weather permitting

Age Range: all ages

Parking: some street parking off of Bons Avenue

Ground Cover: cement and rubber

Main Equipment:

3 bucket dump post
1 rainbow spray tunnel arch

Accessibility Features: wheelchair accessible

Facilities/Surrounding Park Area/Other:

see Bons Park post (**coming soon**)

Seating: 2 park benches at splash pad, 2 park benches and picnic table beside adjacent playground

Shade: none near the splash pad, some from surrounding trees

Overall assessment: A great little splash pad right next to a playground and large field. Pack a snack and eat at the nearby picnic table!