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 DU MARAIS

Arrondissment: Les Rivières

Address: rue du Marais

Nearest bus stop: Paquin/5135 (bus 86)

Parking: I parked outside the nearby Metro supermarket.

Playground surface: Wood chips

Age range: 5-12 years

Swings? Yes - 2 for babies, plus an Expression (parent-baby) swing

Sandbox? No

Splashpad? No

Swimming pool? No

Toilets? No

Picnic tables? Yes

Other facilities: None

What I liked: This is a cool forest-themed playground on the edge of a small pond surrounded by marshland. Even if your children are too young for the equipment, you can enjoy a pleasant quiet walk around the pond.

What I didn’t like: The playground is overlooked by the l’Aventura apartment complex, part of which is still under construction. There is nothing for younger children except the swings. Some of the walkway around the pond has fallen into disrepair, with big gaps over the water.

PARC LOUIS-LATULIPPE

Arrondissment: Les Rivières

Address: 620 avenue Plante

Nearest bus stop: Labranche (buses 64 and 65)

Parking: Free street parking

Playground surface: Wood chips

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

Swings? Yes - 4 for babies; 5 for older children

Sandbox? No

Splashpad? Yes

Swimming pool? No

Toilets? No

Picnic tables? Yes

Other facilities: Basketball court; ice rink

What I liked: This is a small but fun park close to the Fleur de Lys shopping centre. The playground structures are right next to each other.

What I didn’t like: The little house next to the playground (see photo below) is just decorative. You can’t actually play inside it.