Back at it again! And in today’s edition I will review two downtown core splash pads: one in picturesque Gage Park and one in Eastwood Park-which location-wise, is also in a prime area. Let’s get to it:

Gage Park

Gage Park is a big city park right on the outer limits of the downtown core (in my opinion). A beautiful grassy park, it features a giant fountain, tropical greenhouse (free!), a lawn bowling club and a beautiful, new playground. I was looking forward to this spot and I will admit- I checked this one without Briar in tow. I figured I could see if it was worth coming back with her. So how did it rate?

As picturesque as Gage Park is, the splash pad is…..underwhelming. Like the amphitheatre, it looks a bit weathered. It also lacks interactive, unique sprays other sites have. While it does have the dragon that shoots water (the same one found at Durand Park), it was not working and one child even told me he had been trying to get it to work all day. A disappointed kid? Big point deductions for that! The hoops are interestingly taller than others I’ve seen but again, nothing moves and it’s all a bit…..meh. It also appears as though there was a wading pool that used to work next to it but it was empty at the time. Ultimately, this splash pad is a decent feature but is certainly not the main attraction. I will only come here with Briar if we happen to be at the park.

Overall: Good to have on a hot day, but that’s about it. Enjoy the rest of the park.

• Location: 5/5
• Shade: 5/5
• Usability: 2/5
• Fun factor: 2/5
• Splash factor: 1/5

Eastwood Park

So you are probably wondering how this splash pad is in a prime location if you’ve never heard of it? We happened to stumble upon this spot on a walk back from Collective Arts. It is well-hidden from Burlington st. and actually lies behind the hockey area at Eastwood Park. Location-wise, it sits between Pier 7 (Williams/Discovery Dr) and Collective Arts. While at first it seems unassuming (a weathered building stands next to it- perhaps bathrooms?) and the area itself has an industrial feel being that it sits next to shipyards, we soon fell in love.

This splash pad is quiet, secluded and surprised us with the amount of sprays. While basic in nature, they all work and there are a large amount of fountains from the ground to provide lots of splash. With plenty of shade and grass around as well as a nice, adjacent playground, it’s a good time for all ages. This park does well with it’s simplicity: the sprays work, there are a good variety of them and one can get relief on a hot day.

Overall: A great stopover either from the waterfront or Collective Arts. Hits all the marks for a sweet and simple splash pad.

• Location: 4/5
• Shade: 5/5
• Usability: 5/5
• Fun factor: 3/5
• Splash factor: 3/5

‘Til next time!