Splash Pad at Gamble Park

The City of Toronto runs many recreational activities for families. One of them is outdoor splash pads. They have an interactive map that shows where each of them are located. As per City of Toronto, most of them run from May 31st to September 18 daily from 9 am to 8:30 pm.

The one Logan and I tried out today is at Gamble Park. This park is a gem located in the East end of the City on the quiet Gamble Street. The park is not very big; however, once you approach it you can tell it is customized to be suitable for preschoolers.

There is a giant black fence that runs the length of the park with big heavy duty gates on either sides ensuring that little hands are not strong enough to let themselves out and little feet cannot run onto the street.

Trees are strategically planted on the outskirts of the park to ensure plenty of running space for wobbly bodies while in the park. There are very clear signs indicating this is a dog free and smoke free park.

The strength of the water coming out of the splash pad is strong enough to shoot it up a few feet, but weak enough that if little bodies ran across it they would not get hurt by the force of the water coming out.

Cost: FREE

Convenience: There are 93 City run splash pads so there must be one near you and using the interactive map to find it is very easy.

Diapering and Feeding: Due to the placement of the trees there is very little shade. When the park is not busy, you might be able to find a nice shady spot around the perimeter of the park to sit and feed or even lay out a pad to change baby. However, if it gets busy, it would be a little more difficult to do so especially if you want to do it in shade. All the benches are situated in the centre of the park near the splash pad in full exposure of the sun.

Final Thoughts: A lot of thought was put into this park to ensure that it is child friendly. There are no basket ball courts or picnic benches to attract teenagers or couples. That being said, both the splash pad and the playground is fully exposed to the afternoon sun so little ones must be well equipped with sunscreen, hat, sunglasses, rashguard, etc.