We’re guessing you already have your local playground pretty well sussed out, but what about when you’re out and about, or if you want to explore a little farther afield? We asked you to rate your favourite playgrounds around town, as no one’s puts them to a more rigorous test than the mums (and kids) who frequent them. Here are your top picks:

Kits Beach
1499 Arbutus Street (@ Cornwall), Vancouver
This playground has an all ages appeal, with younger kids loving the roller slide and older kids enjoying the platter slides. Parents appreciate the recycled rubber tire matting “floor” for safety. There are swings, slides, a climbing structure, and more. And our reviewer said this park is great for kids up to age 10, and saw no room for improvement! One thing we like is that this new playground is fully accessible.

Kitsilano Community Centre  Playground /Connaught Park
Access via 10th and Larch or 12th and Larch, Vancouver
A completely fenced in playground like this one is always popular (city planners, are you listening?) Our reviewer gave this playground high ratings for the variety of climbing structures for different ages, the great climbing walls, the swings, and all the sand. Plus, in the summer the spray park is right next door, so kids can cool off and get clean when they’re done playing. The only improvement our reviewer suggested would be more climbing structures, as it’s such a busy park. Recommended for kids ages 1-6.

West Point Grey Park
2250 Trimble Street (at 8th Avenue), Vancouver
West Point Grey Park may be this park’s formal name, but most call it Trimble Park. Our reviewer liked it for its combo of formal playground space – including a wading pool in the summer and fun climbing wall – as well as natural spaces to play, and an amazing view of the city (note: this is a great spot to catch the fireworks in the summer). She is also reassured that she’s never seen a needle or condom in the bushes, and that there is hot water and soap in the bathrooms. She even included the local bus connections: #4, 44, 84, 14 and 99.

Emery Barnes Park
Davie and Richards, Yaletown, Vancouver
Our reviewer liked that this park has rubber matting (there seems to be a theme here), so the kids don’t get totally dirty when it’s been raining. Which, let’s face it, it has been doing a lot lately. And the park is designed for toddlers through to about age 8.

Kingcrest Park
4150 Knight Street (at 26th), Vancouver
This park is “near Famous Foods” as our reviewer so aptly put it. She liked this park for the climbing structures, the car on a spring, and the larger digger. Plus, it has a huge field and a basketball court. But apparently the digger is the biggest draw for her almost 2-year-old.

Douglas Park
801 West 22nd Avenue (at Heather), Vancouver
Douglas Park has it all: swings, slides, a zip line, a splash pool in the summer, three structures for different ages, a climbing structure, fields, a basketball court, and a sandbox. Our reviewer loves how much fun her little one has at Douglas Park, but she’s not keen on the summer hornets…

St Andrew’s Park
East 11th Street between St. George and St Andrew’s streets, North Vancouver
This park got top reviews for ages 5 and under, as it’s fully fenced with tons of equipment and swings for toddlers, as well as a few things for older kids. Other pluses were the grass and trees for shady picnics, and the water features in the summer. And there’s lots of free street parking nearby. The one downside? Everyone agreed that the port-a-potty (the only bathroom facility) was “icky.”

Burnaby Central Park
by Patterson SkyTrain station
The diggers at this park seem to be the biggest draw. That and the fact that you can combine your visit with a trip on the SkyTrain, so the journey’s part of the fun. Our reviewer recommended this park for kids ages 3-10.

Rocky Point Park
2800 Block Murray Street, Port Moody
Rocky Point got one of our longest reviews! The park was deemed “all ages”, and reviewers sang the praises of the outdoor play area with a pirate ship structure and the summer water park (there’s an outdoor pool as well). You can also explore the boat launch site, take a wander along the trails, and you can dine on everything from fish and chips from the concession, to a delicious meal in the Boathouse. Alas, in the summer when the weather is good, the parking is bad, and our reviewer wishes they’d keep a closer eye on the washrooms on busy days.

If you didn’t get a chance to weigh in, or your favourite park isn’t represented here, it’s not too late! Just let us know where you like to play and we’ll keep updating this list with your recommendations. And you’ll find additional reader reviews on our Facebook Page (but you have to scroll back).

Today’s Deal is 10% off a new Nutrition Survival for Families with Picky Eaters course offered by UBC Continuing Studies. Join a UBC instructor and Registered Dietitian to learn new strategies for easy and nutritious mealtimes. Discover how to introduce healthy food options to your kids and gain a toolbox of ideas to try at home. Find out more about this and other nutrition and wellness courses. Save 10% with the coupon code SPRING.