Fantastic urban splash pad: Corktown Common

A splash pad and a playground and a skatepark and... frogs

When I first visited Corktown Common, at sunset, I discovered there was a splash pad in the back of the large park! (BEWARE! In 2015, the park and splash pads are closed until August 31, due to the Pan Am Games!) 

I returned to figure out the parking logistics around that park (which opened at the end of June 2013) and to take some photos of the splash pad with kids in action. What a great addition to the city! 

How to get there
Corktown Common is located near the Don River, south of King Street East, at the foot of Lower River Street (where the Pan American Games will host the athletes during the 2015 games held in the GTA). 

If you want to get there by car, first try to find a spot on Saint Lawrence Street (one block west of Lower River, south of King). It is $1.50/hour, maximum 10 hours, 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. No charges after 6 p.m.

Otherwise, you'll be able to find parking meters along Queen Street East (but NO PARKING from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays). It's $1.50/hour, maximum 3 hours, to park Monday to Friday (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and Saturday (8 a.m. to 6 p.m). There's no charges to park after 6 p.m. and no charge to park throughout Sunday.

First things first, coffee!
If you park near Sumach Street, it will take you 10 minutes to reach the splash pad. 

The coffee shop Savoury Grounds is right at the corner of Sumach and Queen Street East. While you're there, show your kids the whimsical facade of the Magic Building at 60 Sumach just south of Queen. (Note from June 20, 2015: It used to be the closest place to buy a beverage around the park but now, there is a Tim Hortons (south-west corner of King East and Lower River), and the cool café Odin, facing it, on the north side of King East.)

The playground
From Queen Street East, walk southbound on River Street (called Lower River where it goes south of King Street). It won't take long before you see the modern playground to your right.

It is such an urban sight, set as it is amidst parkways.

The vast park
Keep walking southbound and you'll see the entrance of the park, marked by a lowland wet meadow (where you can hear the frogs!).

Follow the path to your right and you'll see the roof of the gazebo. You can stroll left and right around the upland meadow before reaching the other section of the park with a large gazebo.

Still in development, one sees that this park will eventually connect with the surrounding trails.

The splash pad and the gabezo
Corktown Common is curently managed by Waterfront Toronto, (there's a security guard on site 24-7), but it will eventually be managed by the City. They've installed two large washrooms on the premises (open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) and two water fountains. The gazebo provides shade.

I don't how it will look once the construction is done but for the time being, the splash pad overlooks construction and the cityscape for a unique urban panorama. Expect water sprays spurting daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The slides
On the other side of the gazebo is an interesting playground with two slides and soft flooring. It includes a sand patch complete with a faucet, for the small engineers. There are different swings on separate levels. (There are lots of nooks and crannies in this park.) 

The Underpass Park

On you way back towards King Street, facing the playground, you'll notice some action on your right under the overpass. They've installed basketball nets and a street skate layout.

What makes it even better it the lighting effects along the columns. Imagine if this was done under the Gardiner!

Chinguacousy Park: Family outing for weekends of September 8 and 15

This week, I went to check out what millions of dollars injected into a municipal park can do. Turns out... a lot!!! Weather permitting, it will be open until mid-September.

Chinguacousy Park in Brampton used to have a little water section with a fee. It now offers a grandiose top of the line splash pad and it's free. Check out the photos. The whole park has changed A LOT!

We also did a paddle boat ride (approx. $5 for two-seater fro 30 minutes, plenty of time to enjoy the two ponds). And one of us (not me!) brought a skateboard to try the new skate park, another fab addition to this great park, also free. You can also see some animals and take a $3 ride on a small motorized train.

To get there, from Hwy 401, take Hwy 410 north, exit at Queen Street East in Brampton and turn left at Bramalea Road.

Huge splash pad at Petticoat Creek Pickering (and a cliff trail)

Last weekend, I revisited Petticoat Creek C.A. in Pickering to have a look at their new pool and splash section before it closes for the season (September 3). I also took the time to explore the surroundings and found out the park includes a fantastic cliff trail.

Last time I was there was probably 15 years ago! Gone is the huge wading pool of my kids' childhood (but don't cry, you can still enjoy the one in Bronte Creek Provincial Park).

It's been replaced by three very big wading pools (which I'm sure feel like three big lakes to explore from a toddler's point of view) and a shallow pool with one beach-like access. Next to these four pools, they've added a huge splash pad, not unlike any good splash pad you'd find in a municipal park but bigger (which must look like a "rain forest" to the young kids).

With older kids, I suggest you explore the cliff trail before heading to the pool. As you walk towards the lake from the parking lot, you'll meet the paved bike trail. To your left, you'll notice a dirt trail getting closer to the edge. Follow it to access a gorgeous trail under the shadow of trees with great panorama overlooking... the Pickering Nuclear Generating Centre. It reaches the paved trail again further east.

If you walk 30-minutes (2 kms) eastbound, you'll reach the secluded and great beach of Frenchman's Bay Park.

We were there on a gorgeous Saturday and there was plenty of FREE parking spaces in a parking lot off Beachpoint Promenade just before the beach as well as along the dirt road between the bay and the lake. Next time, we will park there, do the cliff trail, grab an ice cream cone at the truck in front of the pool area in Petticoat Creek, and return for a dip into the lake. (A sign specifies the waters are not to be trusted within two days following a rainfall.)

Information
• You have UNTIL SEPTEMBER 3 to enjoy the water attraction. The park itself is open until October 8, 2012.
• The park admission is $6.50/adults, $5.50/seniors and it's free for kids 15 years and under. Pool access is $4.75 per person ($2.75 if you're a TRCA Parks member) and it's free for kids 2 years and under.
• To get to Frenchman's Bay Park, follow Petticoat Creek's cliff trail eastbound. You'll come across a steal bridge which runs over the stream of Petticoat Creek. Then walk through the private trail at the foot of Marksbury Road (everybody does) and take the first street on your right out of the private trail (called Beachpoint Promenade). You'll see many entrances to the beach. Parking spaces are at the end of this road.

5 TIPS: Toronto Islands with younger kids

Toronto Islands with younger kids
Last time I visited Toronto Islands, it had been a while since my last summer visit. I was impressed!!!

There were more people than when my kids were young, but everything was really well organized to maximize everyone's experience to the Islands.

I was with two teens (I will later post tips to better enjoy the place with teens) but had a good look at what would appeal to me, were I to return with younger kids.

My TIPS for a great visit WITH YOUNG KIDS:

1) Prior to your visit, go online to buy Centreville Amusement Park tickets (you save money and will avoid the crowd at the gate. It is absolutely perfect for kids 8 years and under.
2) Check the Centre Island ferry schedule and arrive at the ferry docks (at the foot of Bay Street) 45 minutes prior to departure, with snacks and water (and maybe chalks so the kids can draw on the asphalt while you wait). DON'T FORGET TO NOTE THE SCHEDULE FOR YOUR RIDE BACK!
3) Bring cash to pay for the ferry ride! (Last time I checked, it was cash only.)
4) Once on the other side, go directly to the amusement park, a short walk off the Centre Island dock.

5) When the kids are ready to cool down, go to the great spray pad outside of the amusement park. To reach it, cross the big bridge to your left as you exit of the amusement park. Walk until you reach the fountains on each side of the alley, and go to your right. The spray pad is hidden from the sight because of the trees but it's there! And it is very pretty.

Of the ferry, you'll see signs (and probably some of their wacky characters) for the Lagoon Theatre 30-minute pay-what-you-can performances. I'd save this attraction for kids 7 and older, simply because the amusement park and the spray pad is already a full plate for younger kids but the show is suitable for 3 to 12 years old.

On the way to the amusement park, you might also catch one of the 10 Minute Drum Circle (when we visited, they offered free playshops and they supply the drums, not sure it's still going on).

Also read 5 TIPS: Toronto Islands with older kids
Also read 8 TIPS: Toronto Islands with teenagers