Marina Park: West Kelowna

Overview:
This park has a pebble beach, a grass area, a covered picnic facility and a playground. It is perfect for those with small children as both the park and beach areas are fenced in.

Thoughts:
A great little park in West Kelowna that has everything. The beach is there for hot summer days, a new playground structure for the kids to play on grassy areas, and a covered picnic area makes this the perfect destination.

Due to the limited beach options in West Kelowna though I can see this place becoming very busy during the summer season.

Pros:
Beach, grass, picnic and playground all in a fenced park area.

Cons:
Not very big and not a lot of other options around so it could become quite busy.

Cultus Lake Park: Cultus Lake

Overview:
Many recreational activities can be enjoyed in the area, from boating, fishing and swimming, to picnicking, playground and walking.

Thoughts:
Although a long ways out this is a great way to spend the day at the lake.  The park is large and offers a good variety of things to do.  The swimming area is very large with a big dock and shallow waters. Unfortunately the "beach" is a bit rocky and gets worse in the water.  Because of the shallow waters though it is quite warm at this end of the lake.  Plenty of parking in the 2 main lots, unfortunately it is pay parking ($6/day). Lots of picnic tables around both on the beach area and the grass and a large playground for children of all ages.

Boat rentals are close by (http://www.mainbeachboats.com) as are large bathrooms, a concession stand and even a market on Saturdays.  Parking lot B is shared with the Cultus Lake Adventure Park giving you a change of scenery if needed and the Cultus Lake Waterslides are just across the street.

Pros:
Warm waters and plenty of things to do to keep you busy for the day.

Cons:
A far drive for anyone not in Abbotsford and Chilliwack areas.  The beaches are a bit rocky.

Contact Information:
Cultus Lake Park
4165 Columbia Valley Highway
Cultus Lake Park, BC V2R 5B5

Website: http://www.cultuslake.com/

Hammond Park: Maple Ridge

Overview:
Small city park with an open field for play and childrens playground with swings.

Thoughts:
Went in the morning with the kids to play and it didn't have a welcoming feeling.  It was clean and well maintained but perhaps it is the area of town but the "ambiance" just wasn't quite right.  There is a large playset for the kids along with a few swings.  Lots of trees for shade and an open field.  No picnic tables or even picnic areas.  As well there was a small plaque with some history about the area.

Pros:
Newer equipment and good place to go to kill an hour or so.

Cons:
Not too big, and not many people around. Not much parking other than street parking.

Contact Information:
114th Ave and Waresley St.
Maple Ridge, BC

Robin's Den Park: Nanaimo

Overview:
This park was installed in 2008 at the end of Prince John Way.  The park was upgraded with new equipment and is maintained by the City of Nanaimo.

Thoughts:
This is a nice little park for the kids with equipment mainly for smaller children.  There is a picnic table for use as well.  The park though is nestled in between the trees and a rock cliff so sun is not something that is plentiful. It seemed as well that people walking their dogs along the trail beside the park didn't care that their dogs used the park as bathroom either.  Because of the lack of sun, there was an abundance of mushrooms growing in the mulch.

Pros:
Newer equipment and good place to go to kill an hour or so.  Not too small and not overly big making it easy to keep an eye on running kids.

Cons:
Uncaring dog owners not cleaning up and lack of sunlight.

Contact Information:
Top of Prince John Way
Nanaimo, BC

Harris Park: Pitt Meadows

Harris Park features an outdoor swimming pool, fully accessible water playground, a beautifully treed picnic area and a Recreation Hall dating from the 1930's.

Thoughts:
A large park with lots of things to do. There are a couple of baseball diamonds, a skateboard park, outdoor pool, water park and fairly large playground area. On a nice summer day there is definitely enough to keep a family or large group with children busy for the day, especially if a picnic is packed for lunch and/or dinner.

Pros:
A lot of things to do that a family with kids would be okay to spend the day here. Plenty of trees for shade.

Cons:
Outdoor pool is a little small and could get very busy. Limited number of picnic tables so get there early if you want one.

Website: http://www.pittmeadows.bc.ca/EN/main/residents/742/5335/H/8199.html

Maple Ridge Park: Maple Ridge

Located along the sparkling South Alouette River at the corner of 232nd Street and Fern Crescent, this park offers picnic areas, washrooms, a baseball diamond, a horseshoe pitch area, a playing field, and a wooded trail. An expanse of mature forest nurses a wide array of native plants and wildlife and each autumn the South Alouette River welcomes large populations of spawning Pink and Chum salmon. The Kinsmen spray park is open to the public on a weather permitting, seasonal basis.

Thoughts:
This is a nice large park with plenty of updated equipment for children of all ages. Climbing rocks, playground equipment, slides, swings, fields, water park and sheltered area, this park has it all.

Pros:
Plenty to do for all kids with different size playground equipment and even the water park has 2 areas, one for smaller children and one for bigger kids.

Cons:
Limited number of swings, so on a busy day there would be a wait but there is lots of other stuff to do. There is limited parking for the size of the park so on a busy day it might be difficult to find a spot.

Website: http://www.mapleridge.ca/EN/main/residents/935/2190/parks/4323/m/maple_ridge.html