PLACE DE LA FAMILLE 2

Arrondissment: La Cité Limoilou

Address: 250 Wilfrid-Hamel Blvd, Quebec City, Quebec G1L 4W7 (beside the Centre Vidéotron and the Grand Marché de Québec) Nearest bus stop: Buses # 802, 3, 4

Parking: Free parking in parking lot P4 (corner of boulevard Wilfred Hamel and rue Jalobert)

Playground surface: Bouncy synthetic material

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

Swings? None

Sandbox? None

Splashpad? Yes

Swimming pool? None

Toilets? Available at the Grand Marché de Québec, about a two minute walk away (during its opening hours)

Picnic tables? Yes, and many Adirondack chairs

Other facilities: There's a large green space next to the playground with many picnic tables. As well, the Grand Marché de Québec is just a two minute walk away. It's a gourmet food destination, offering a mix of farmer's market, shops, and restaurants. It's a great place to grab lunch or a snack.

What I liked: This playground is truly unique. The main playground equipment (see first two pictures below) is very tall (4.5 metres high), and only appropriate for older kids. There's a very tall, windy slide and a long climbing section.

What I didn’t like: The toddler section of this playground is quite tiny - just one slide and a little playhouse (see third picture below). This playground seems more appropriate for kids comfortable climbing independently, likely about ages four and up.

PARC D’IBERVILLE

Arrondissment: La Cité-Limoilou

Address: 600 1re Rue

Nearest bus stop: 1re Rue (36, 936)

Parking: Free street parking (60 mins maximum)

Playground surface: Rubber

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

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

Sandbox? No

Splashpad? Yes

Swimming pool? No

Toilets? Don’t know

Picnic tables? Yes

Other facilities: Petanque terrain.

What I liked: Nothing.

What I didn’t like: I have to say, this one was pretty grubby. The section for younger children was absolutely heaving with toddlers from the local daycares - at one point there must have been at least 30 of them crammed into a tiny space. Sebastian took one look at it and said “Too many people”. The whole place was in need of repair - the rubber was coming away from the ground and Sebastian kept trying to peel it off. Also, I found the smell of tobacco from the nearby Rothmans factory nauseating. We only stayed for a few minutes before walking over the bridges to Parc Victoria.

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.