PARC DONNACONNA

Location: Donnaconna

Address: 316 Boulevard Gaudreau

Nearest bus stop: N/A

Parking: Free street parking

Playground surface: Sand; wood chips

Age range: 18 months-5 years; 5-12 years

Swings? Yes - 2 for babies, plus an Expression (parent-baby) Swing; 4 for older children

Sandbox? Yes

Splashpad? Yes

Swimming pool? I didn’t see one.

Toilets? Yes

Picnic tables? Yes

Other facilities: Athletics track; baseball field; basketball court; beach volleyball court; football (soccer) pitches; ice rink; mini golf course; petanque terrain; shuffleboard; softball court; skate park; tennis courts. Some of these may belong to the nearby secondary school.

What I liked: This park literally has everything. There are four or five different playground structures. Most of them are older and a little worn-looking, but still in good condition. Its star attraction is, however, the giant trampoline, which I think is the only one in the region.

What I didn’t like: Nothing.

PARC BARRY

Location: Shannon Address: rue Barry

Nearest bus stop: N/A

Parking: Free car park (2 hours maximum) but there are only five or six spaces.

Playground surface: Wood chips

Age range: 18 months-5 years; 5-12 years

Swings? Yes - 2 for babies; 2 for older children

Sandbox? No

Splashpad? No

Swimming pool? No

Toilets? Yes

Picnic tables? Yes

Other facilities: Climbing wall, space for chalk drawings

What I liked: This is a lovely colourful playground with an impressive variety of equipment. The location is quiet and peaceful - the only noise was from the sprinklers on the neighbours’ lawns and the cicadas in the bushes.

What I didn’t like: The structures were older and a little worn-looking. Whatever non-slip stuff they’ve used to coat the floors and steps was melting in the hot sun. We could feel our shoes sticking to it as we walked. There was no shade at all.

CENTRE SAINTE-ANNE

Note: The leisure centre is closed over the summer.

Address:10000 Boulevard Sainte-Anne

Nearest bus stop: None

Parking: Free car park

Playground surface: Wood chips

Age range:12 months+

Swings? Yes - 2 baby swings and 8-10 swings for older children

Sandbox? No

Splashpad? No

Swimming pool? Yes

Toilets? Unsure - the pool wasn’t open when I was there but there was a building by the pool. I was just unable to see.

Picnic tables? Yes, with shade

Other facilities: Basketball court, soccer field.

This is a great quiet playground just outside Quebec City, just past Boischatel. There is a large soccer field beside the playground. There are 2 playgrounds at this location (a larger one for older kids and a smaller one for the younger ones). There is also a basketball court right beside the smaller one. This would be a great location for a picnic and to spend a morning as there is so much to do and all within eye sight as the location is very open. It is also right beside a walking trail that runs alongside the St. Lawrence River. So far this is one of my favorite locations!