Anyone have any advice on the best toddler playgrounds in the city? There seem to be a lot of "big kid" playgrounds - I'm looking for a smaller scale, toddler friendly playground!

Thanks!!

Have you looked at the playground directory?

http://www.hrmparent.ca/hrmplaygrounds/

You can't search specifically for a toddler playground, but by your area and then have a look through - most listings have photos, and through that and the de_script_ion, hopefully you can see if it suits your needs.

A lot of the bigger playgrounds have a smaller toddler one too. What area are you in? Is it being fenced in important? For example Isleville Park in north end Halifax is wonderful for toddlers but also good for big kids - and is fenced in!

Charmaine

Thanks for the _link_ Charmaine! We're west end, but willing to go far for a good playground! I'm going to check out that site now!

The Playground Chronicles blog is a great resource.

I have an 17 mth old and we have been going to the Westmount playground http://playgroundchronicles.wordpress.com/2009/07/26/westmount-inclusive-something-old-something-new/
since she was one it is an inclusive playground thus wheelchair accessible so it has long ramps on either side rather than steps perfect for toddlers and the little slide that was broken in the fall is now fixed.

We live near Flinn Park but don't find it great for her age. The Larry O'Connell Park near the corner of Chebucto and Connaught has a small slide set and a larger set, she could even manage the steps/ladder on the large set although I didn't trust her at the top of the platform on her own. The Ardmore park playground at Almon and Oxford also has a small and big playground set and is near Local Jos if you want to take a break and get a bite to eat.

We also found the playground at Dingle Park/Fleming Park toddler friendly, especially the tiny set with wide wooden steps and a tiny slide.

Have lots of fun and perhaps I will bump into you at the playground.

Oh and Ilseville in the North End is good as well and it is fenced in which is nice once they reach the stage at which they like to start running. The Larry O'Connell and Ardmore Park playgrounds are partially fenced in as well.

Hi,

I'm the PlayGround Chronicles papa. I have a couple of suggestions. The first is DJ Butler. It's close to the Mount and has two very distinct play areas - one for the older kids and one for toddlers. You can read my write up from last summer here - http://playgroundchronicles.wordpress.com/2009/08/24/d-j-butler-playground-rockingham/ (you'll find _link_s to a google map and photos on picasa). Both my kids loved it and we're planning return visits. Nellie-Rose was about 19 months when we went and she really enjoyed herself.

Over in Dartmouth, there's North Woodside Community Centre. Again two distinct play areas. The one for toddlers actually belongs to a day care housed at the community centre but it's always been open to the public whenever we have went. It's close by the new Nova Scotia Community College campus. No review as yet. Will be getting to that in the coming weeks.

I'm always interested in hearing what parents are looking for in playgrounds. It helps me do better write-ups. Also interested in identifying parents who would like to write reviews, or suggest playgrounds for review.

Playground season is here again!

Cheers
Alex