Mommy Connections Fave 5 Kids Parks in York Region North

06/19/2018

Summer is almost here and park season is already here! The countdown is on and my kids are so ready to be done with school for another year.    That just means 9 whole weeks of figuring out what to do with the little cherubs to keep them busy, active and happy!

One thing that is great for our family is we like to look for new and exciting places to visit, see and go for summer memory-making adventures.  My kids enjoy checking out different parks/playgrounds around the area and it’s a great way to keep them interested and engaged in outdoor play time.  I love that they are FREE to use, no admission tickets are required, so I fully appreciate these little outings.

To help you plan a day with your littles, here’s a list of our Fave 5 local splash parks and playgrounds in the area that are worth a trip to this summer.  Hope it gives you a few ideas to add to your summer bucket list!

1. Newmarket Community Centre/Riverwalk Commons – Doug Duncan Dr, Newmarket

   Right off of Main St Newmarket, outside the Newmarket Community Centre is this water feature/play area that makes for hours of family fun.  This is a favourite for my kids because they can fill up their water guns easily in this ankle deep water and go to town!  The water is also quite warm which is a bonus. The splash area has great sight lines, has an awesome fountain to run through, there is lots of parking and a ton of amenities close by including washrooms, changerooms, and a wide choice of restaurants.  On the weekend the Farmers Market takes over the community centre grounds so it does get busy but it makes for a great day for both adults and children alike.   The con is that it does get really busy on weekends and finding parking does get more challenging.  Also not a ton of shade there unless you’re lucky to get seats on benches near the Community centre building or under the covered cement platform area at the south end.   If you’re there early, you’ll be fine.  Overall, two thumbs up for this one.

2. All Our Kids Playpark  (AOK park) – 535 Timothy St, Newmarket
   
   Just over the train tracks from Doug Duncan Drive – a stone’s throw away from Riverwalk Commons – is the All Our Kids Playpark.  When you get tired of the water fun you can venture down Tom Taylor Trail, into the park known for having a fun sand area to dig for dinosaur bones.  (Also known as Dino Park) The play structures here are quite unique and make for great climbing, balancing and swinging and is ideal for a wide age of ranges.  Bring a picnic and sit under the gazebo or in the grassy areas around the park.  Entrance to park can be hard to find and parking lot is on the smaller side, but we’ve never had an issue getting a spot. Also a short walk over from Doug Duncan Drive and the Riverwalk Commons – access from Timothy St (just east of the railroad tracks).
3. Lake Wilcox Park – 55 Olde Bayview Ave, Richmond Hill
   This park and surrounding area has been given a face lift recently and now is a beautiful spot for local families.  My kids really enjoy this park because there are a number of things to do including a lovely waterfront boardwalk which is great for a stroll, a large splash pad area, a playground, sandbox area, picnic tables, small beach area, and a skatepark and youth area is being planned there as well.   There are also nice washrooms/change rooms, patio umbrellas and tables close to the splash pad area as well as lounge chairs for the parents.  The ice cream truck rolls up as well which makes for a great cool-down on a hot day.  The main parking lot gets pretty full during the summer, but there is a secondary lot just north of the park which normally has plenty of parking.  If you end up parking there, you have to walk down the path a bit to get to the play areas so a backpack, wagon or cooler on wheels is handy.
4. Rouge Crest Park, 147 Rothbury Road, Richmond Hill
   
   This is in amidst a residential area so it’s a bit of a hidden gem.  There is a splash pad as well as playground but definitely wins for the coolest looking play structure which looks like a giant hamster cage for children.  It also has some cool swings, benches and architecture throughout, doesn’t feel like a playground, more like an outdoor art gallery.  The play area has a very minimalist feel to it but there is enough to keep my kids entertained.  10+ for cool factor so it’s on our list.
5. Coultice Park – 14769 Ninth Line Stouffville (Musselmans Lake)
   This new park had their grand opening last fall and is a wonderful addition to the Musselmans Lake development project.  Not only is everything new but it is in a beautiful setting near the lake with washrooms/changerooms, splash pad and beautiful modern play structures. There is also lots of open green space for picnics as well as a surrounding walking trail.  It is great for a wide age range and sight lines are amazing which means you can see your kids playing from various vantage points.  They have some shaded sitting areas for picnics and relaxation.  It is also a nice drive around the lake and there is the popular local ice cream/candy shop called The Coolest Little Ice Cream Shop at 150 Cedarvale Blvd just up the road from this park for an afternoon treat.  Or head to FishBone by the Lake, a nice spot for lunch as you look over the lake from their large patio.  Definitely a great outing for mom, dad and kids!

So there you have it.  It was hard to choose just five as there are a ton of great parks in the region to explore!  But we hope this gives you a great guide to get you started in your summer park adventures!  We`d love to hear from you.  What fun parks do you like to visit?  Let us know!!

Stay tuned for our blog post on “Cheap things to do with toddlers and preschoolers this summer” and “Summer Camps 2018”