Archive for August, 2007
Copley Park
This park is divided into two halves by Vanalman Avenue and has a gem of a playground tucked away in the eastern half, known as “Rozee’s Grove.” Very good toddler gym, with a ramp that sees more runs with my toddler than the slide, and a nearby trail teeming with blackberries in late summer. For a short stroll, head west and loop around the field; or adventure east into the greenbelt known as “Old Joe’s Trail,” toward Glanford. Turn right on Glanford and stop at La Collina Bakery, or look for the Rogers’ Factory Outlet Store as you return along Vanalman…they sell ice cream bars for a mere $3.50.
Dallas Road
Dallas Road has an expansive view of the Juan de Fuca Strait and Olympic Park Mountain Range. I love coming down here so Eddie can look at kites, paragliders, enormous cruise ships and the ocean. Simply start at Ogden Point and skirt along the cliffs at Holland Point Park until you reach Clover Point Park. Dallas Road borders along countless other strolls, including James Bay, Beacon Hill Park and Cook Street Village. Or venture past Clover Point to find Ross Bay Cemetery, an historical graveyard.
Rockland Heights
We used to live in an apartment building on Rockland Avenue, so I did this stroll about every week until Eddie was 8-months old. A good idea is to start at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria, wander along Rockland Avenue to Government House, turn on Joan Crescent to find Craigdarroch Castle, and return to the Gallery via Fort Street. There are no playgrounds in this stately and historical neighbourhood, but there is a nice pond with ducks and turtles at Government House.
Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
Particularly good when Eddie was a pre-toddler and on very rainy days, I come here for a change in perspective and to recharge my creativity. Your best value is to skip the adult admission of $12 and buy a family membership for $58. This would give you, your spouse, and up to two children free admission all year round, plus you get a couple of free passes for friends. And, when the sun comes out, you can explore Rockland Heights, or find a bakery along Antique Row.
Government House
A beloved stroll that features a rose garden, a duck pond, and an abundance of green lawn for tummy time. The trees and arbours make a fine mobile, and I still find excuses to bring my toddler here (my acupuncturist is somewhere in the neighbourhood!) Use this garden as a starting point or rest stop on your stroll through Rockland Heights.
Cook Street Village
The more I write these, the more I miss living near downtown. I used to stroll down here for a coffee and a good dose of dog- and people-watching for the week. I love the delicious blend of world cuisine and coffee under one roof at the Cook Street Village Food Court; and since Moka House is usually more crowded, I go across the street to Starbucks…no stairs to impede the stroller, and the couches are just as comfy. Then we make tracks to Cook Street Playground.
Cook Street Playground
Not the playground’s actual name, but a part of Beacon Hill Park on Cook Street, between May and Leonard streets. Much older than the playground near the centre of the park, the equipment here is well-used, yet still formidable for babies learning their playground skills. A toddler can practice on stairs and slides with plenty of bars to grasp (as demonstrated below.) You can plan a playground-to-playground tour of Beacon Hill Park, explore Dallas Road, or head into Cook Street Village to grab a coffee or lunch. Decisions, decisions!
Beacon Hill Park
A good plan is to park by the adventure playground, wander by the ponds and giant watering can (a water park), arrive at the zoo in time for the goat stampede, and end at the playground where you parked. The zoo opens at 10 a.m. and suggests a donation of $3 per adult and $2 per child, but many of the chickens, pigs, peacocks and billy goats can be viewed from outside. This playground gets busy with its own water park in the summer, so for wee ones just learning their skills, try the older model at Cook Street Playground. To honour a park tradition, stop by the Beacon Drive-In for a soft ice cream cone.
Finnerty Gardens
This garden is deeply enjoyable all year round, but I found it especially colourful when the rhododendrons were in bloom in April. My husband also brought us here on Mother’s Day. Reserve at least an hour to explore, and remember to bring change for parking. A fine playground to begin or end your tour is at Horner Park.
Horner Park
A nice park in a beautiful neighbourhood, but toddlers may find it difficult to climb and use the playground equipment. I helped Eddie aboard the gym, but got nervous about the hard-to-reach exits on either side, and the day camp of older kids playing “ball tag” around us. We had enough of that and made the worthwhile stroll to Finnerty Gardens at UVic.
