Canada’s 150 coolest playgrounds from coast to coast

Canada's 150 coolest playgrounds

To celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday, nine playground writers of Canada present this list of 150 of the coolest playgrounds across Canada. We hope this list inspires exploration of the parks in your area as well as road trips and new ideas for future playground builds.

The playgrounds on this list cover a huge territory and include a wide variety of playground types including themed playgrounds, natural playgrounds and accessible playgrounds from big cities as well as small towns.

Did we miss one of your favourites? Let us know what playgrounds you would put on your list!

Find the full list and a map of all 150 playgrounds at the bottom of the article or click here

Featured Playgrounds

Carcross Commons – Carcross, Yukon

This beautiful and unique playground was was inspired by local history, Yukon landmarks, and First Nations creation stories.

Featured Playgrounds Carcross Commons - Carcross, Yukon This beautiful and unique playground was was inspired by local history, Yukon landmarks, and First Nations creation stories. (photo courtesy of Earthscape) Terra Nova Natural Play Environment - Richmond, BC More than just a playground, this destination park strives to make city kids feel more connected to nature through the use of natural play materials, lots of space, trees, and other vegetation. (photo courtesy of Calgary Playground Review ) Broadmoor Lake Park - Sherwood Park, AB This eye-catching playground beside Broadmoor Lake, near Edmonton, has something for everyone, including a huge slide, a climber shaped like a ship, a natural play area, and a ship-themed spray park. (photo courtesy of Calgary Playground Review) Potash Corp Playland Kinsmen Park - Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Located next to a mini fair, this playground features natural climbing features and a zipline, as well as a sand play area and interactive water play area. (photo courtesy of Saskatoon Playground Review) Nature Playground in Assiniboine Park - Winnipeg, Manitoba This creative, sprawling, natural play area is designed to spark children’s imagination through active play and includes both a sand play area and an interactive water play area. (photo courtesy of Assiniboine Park Conservancy) Mooney Bay’s - Ottawa, ON Billed as Canada's largest playground, Mooney's Bay Park was featured on the program Giver and was designed to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday with areas of the playground showcasing each of Canada’s 10 provinces and 3 territories. (photo courtesy of Stroller Parking) Baie de Beauport - Quebec City, QC Located right along the river, this playground featuring Kompan equipment offers great views and lots of exciting climbing opportunities, as well as a nearby splashpad. (photo courtesy of Atmosphäre Inc) Highland Park - Salisbury - New Brunswick Salisbury’s Highland Park is a perfect all-season park with a natural playground, walking trails by the Petitcodiac River, a brand-new splash pad, traditional playground equipment, and lots of green space to enjoy - just 7kms off the Trans Canada Highway outside Moncton. (photo courtesy of Pickle Planet Moncton) Dewolf Playground - Bedford, NS A perfect playground for the preschool set, with stunning views of the Halifax Harbour and bridges, this nautical themed playground offers accessible flooring, a large sunshade, and even a working periscope. (photo courtesy of Itsy Bitsy Haligonians) Bannerman Park - St. John’s, Newfoundland Newfoundland's first public park, located in downtown St. John's, is newly-renovated with a large accessible playground that will appeal to kids of all ages. The park also offers a loop skating rink in the winter and a spray park in the summer. (photo courtesy of Jennifer M. Stamp) Eliot River Dream Park - Cornwall, PEI This distinctive Leathers & Associates 10,000 square foot wooden, inclusive playground will make kids feel like they are exploring a castle. (photo courtesy of Leathers & Associates) Dufferin Grove - Toronto, ON One of the best adventure playgrounds in Canada, in addition to a variety of traditional equipment, this shady playground features a huge sand pit with a working tap, right in the middle of Toronto. (photo courtesy of Multiple Momstrocity) Nathan Shuster Park - Montreal, QC This park will test your balance and bravery! A rope, log, and, boulder obstacle course circles part of the playground, while a zipline will fling you towards the finish line. (photo courtesy of Stroller Parking) Currie Barracks Airport Playground - Calgary, AB Your kids’ imagination will soar as they go down the tall control tower slide at this airport-themed playground. (photo courtesy of photo courtesy of Calgary Playground Review ) Riverside Park - Kamloops, BC Located near downtown right along the river, this accessible playground boasts a huge web climber, a nearby water park, and music in the park on summer nights. (photo courtesy of Kamloops Playgrounds) Springbank Park - London, ON You could spend all day at this huge London park which features a colourful accessible playground, sandbox area, and wading pool. (photo courtesy of London Playground Review) Baycliffe Park - Whitby, ON Your kids will love racing down the two story tunnel slides at this rocket-themed playground. The park also features a nearby splash pad and BMX pathway. (Photo courtesy of Durham Region Playground Reviews) Sandra Schmirler Play Space - Regina, SK With a large castle-themed playground, toddler-sized treehouse climber, and a wonderful nearby spray pad, kids will sure to be impressed with this Regina playground. (photo courtesy of Kinderbuzz) Marnevic Memorial Park - Fox Creek, AB This playground’s heavy duty construction equipment theme can be seen throughout, from the large pieces all the way down to the activity panels. (photo courtesy of Calgary Playground Review) Exhibition Park Playground - Guelph, ON This natural playground uses wood extensively to create a huge variety of challenging playground features, in addition to a sand play area and water pump. (photo courtesy of Earthscape) Queenston Park - Coquitlam, BC This eye-catching playground is set into a hill providing a very unique play experience. (photo credit: Landscape Structures) Variety Heritage Adventure Park at The Forks - Winnipeg, MB Located right outside The Forks National historic site, this playground provides a dramatic backdrop for kids to experience The Forks history through creative and imaginative play. (photo courtesy of Play by Crozier) Grange Park (AGO Playground) - Toronto, ON [ replace with actual photo] The play structures at this brand new imaginative playground, near the Art Gallery of Ontario, represent elements of an artist studio. (photo courtesy of Earthscape) Rotary Club’s Pirate Ship playground - Belleville, ON This huge wooden pirate ship themed playground provides a delightful backdrop for imaginative play. (need photo with permission) OR Swap out for Quinte West (Batawa Earthscape park) Cadboro-Gyro Park - Victoria, BC Watch out for sea monsters at this popular waterfront playground. The playground has been recently revitalized but you can still find the iconic sea creatures. (photo courtesy of Saanich Parks)

(photo courtesy of Earthscape)

Terra Nova Natural Play Environment – Richmond, BC

More than just a playground, this destination park strives to make city kids feel more connected to nature through the use of natural play materials, lots of space, trees, and other vegetation.

richmond terra nova

(photo courtesy of Calgary Playground Review )

Broadmoor Lake Park – Sherwood Park, AB

This eye-catching playground beside Broadmoor Lake, near Edmonton, has something for everyone, including a huge slide, a climber shaped like a ship, a natural play area, and a ship-themed spray park.

Broadmoor Lake Park

(photo courtesy of  Calgary Playground Review)

Potash Corp Playland Kinsmen Park – Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

Located next to a mini fair, this playground features natural climbing features and a zipline, as well as a sand play area and interactive water play area.

(photo courtesy of Saskatoon Playground Review)

Nature Playground in Assiniboine Park – Winnipeg, Manitoba

This creative, sprawling, natural play area is designed to spark children’s imagination through active play and includes both a sand play area and an interactive water play area.

Nature Playground in Assiniboine Park - Winnipeg, Manitoba

(photo courtesy of Assiniboine Park Conservancy)

Mooney’s Bay – Ottawa, ON

Billed as Canada’s largest playground, Mooney’s Bay Park was featured on the program Giver and was designed to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday with areas of the playground showcasing each of Canada’s 10 provinces and 3 territories.

Giver 150 Park, Mooney’s Bay, Ottawa

(photo courtesy of Stroller Parking)

Baie de Beauport – Quebec City, QC

Located right along the river, this playground featuring Kompan equipment offers great views and lots of exciting climbing opportunities, as well as a nearby splashpad.

Baie de beauport

(photo courtesy of Atmosphäre Inc)

Highland Park – Salisbury – New Brunswick

Salisbury’s Highland Park is a perfect all-season park with a natural playground, walking trails by the Petitcodiac River, a brand-new splash pad, traditional playground equipment, and lots of green space to enjoy – just 7kms off the Trans Canada Highway outside Moncton.

(photo courtesy of Pickle Planet Moncton)

Eliot River Dream Park – Cornwall, PEI

This distinctive Leathers & Associates 10,000 square foot wooden, inclusive playground will make kids feel like they are exploring a castle.

Eliot River Dream Park

(photo courtesy of Gordon Matthews)

Dewolf Playground – Bedford, NS

A perfect playground for the preschool set, with stunning views of the Halifax Harbour and bridges, this nautical themed playground offers accessible flooring, a large sunshade, and even a working periscope.

(photo courtesy of Itsy Bitsy Haligonians)

Bannerman Park – St. John’s, Newfoundland

Newfoundland’s first public park, located in downtown St. John’s, is newly-renovated with a large accessible playground that will appeal to kids of all ages. The park also offers a loop skating rink in the winter and a spray park in the summer.

Bannerman Park - St. John's Newfoundland (10)

(photo courtesy of Jennifer M. Stamp)

Cadboro-Gyro Park – Victoria, BC

Watch out for sea monsters at this popular waterfront playground. The playground has been recently revitalized but you can still find the iconic sea creatures.

 Cadboro-Gyro Park - Victoria, BC

(photo courtesy of Saanich Parks)

Queenston Park – Coquitlam, BC

This eye-catching playground is set into a hill providing a very unique play experience.

queenston park

(photo credit: Landscape Structures)

Riverside Park – Kamloops, BC

Located near downtown right along the river, this accessible playground boasts a huge web climber, a nearby water park, and music in the park on summer nights.

Riverside Park

(photo courtesy of Kamloops Playgrounds)

Marnevic Memorial Park – Fox Creek, AB

This playground’s heavy duty construction equipment theme can be seen throughout, from the large pieces all the way down to the activity panels.

Marnevic Memorial Playground Fox Creek

(photo courtesy of  Calgary Playground Review)

Currie Barracks Airport Playground – Calgary, AB

Your kids’ imagination will soar as they go down the tall control tower slide at this airport-themed playground.

Currie Barracks Airport Playground

(photo courtesy of Calgary Playground Review)

Sandra Schmirler Play Space – Regina, SK

With a large castle-themed playground, toddler-sized treehouse climber, and a wonderful nearby spray pad, kids are  sure to be impressed with this Regina playground.

Regina Playground Sandra

(photo courtesy of Kinderbuzz)

Variety Heritage Adventure Park at The Forks – Winnipeg, MB

Located right outside The Forks National historic site, this playground provides a dramatic backdrop for kids to experience The Forks history through creative and imaginative play.

The Forks - Crozier

(photo courtesy of Play by Crozier)

Baycliffe Park – Whitby, ON

Your kids will love racing down the two story tunnel slides at this rocket-themed playground. The park also features a nearby splash pad and BMX pathway.

Baycliffe park rocketship playground

(Photo courtesy of Durham Region Playground Reviews)

Dufferin Grove – Toronto, ON

One of the best adventure playgrounds in Canada, in addition to a variety of traditional equipment, this shady playground features a huge sand pit with a working tap, right in the middle of Toronto.

Dufferin Grove Park

(photo courtesy of Multiple Momstrosity)

Exhibition Park Playground – Guelph, ON

This natural playground uses wood extensively to create a huge variety of challenging playground features, in addition to a sand play area and water pump.

Exhibition-Park-Playground-Guelph

(photo courtesy of Earthscape)

Grange Park (AGO Playground) – Toronto, ON 

The play structures at this brand new imaginative playground, near the Art Gallery of Ontario, represent elements of an artist’s studio. (Opening July 8th)

(photo courtesy of Earthscape)

Rotary Club’s Pirate Ship playground – Belleville, ON

This huge wooden pirate ship themed playground provides a delightful backdrop for imaginative play.

Rotary Club’s Pirate Ship playground - Belleville, ON

(photo courtesy of Bay of Quinte Region)

Springbank Park – London, ON

You could spend all day at this huge London park which features a colourful accessible playground, sandbox area, and wading pool.

Springbank Park

(photo courtesy of London Playground Review)

Nathan Shuster Park – Montreal, QC

This park will test your balance and bravery! A rope, log, and, boulder obstacle course circles part of the playground, while a zipline will fling you towards the finish line.

Nathan Shuster Park

(photo courtesy of Stroller Parking)

150 Coolest Playgrounds

Did we miss one of your favourites? Let us know what playgrounds you would put on your list in the comments!

See the rest of the 150 coolest playgrounds in list form here (google doc) or here (pdf) or on the map below.

(Calgary and Alberta)
(Durham Region Ontario)
(Kamloops, BC)
Canada's 150 Coolest Playgrounds
(Montreal and area)
(GTA, Ontario)
(London, Ontario)
(Halifax Regional Municipality)
(New Brunswick)

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11 thoughts on “Canada’s 150 coolest playgrounds from coast to coast”

  1. Love the options in the Maritimes now! My kids loved the playground at the Olympic site in Whistler BC when we visited. It is gorgeous!

    Reply
  2. The Children’s Forest section of the Irving Nature Park in Saint John is also a great park. A small “zip line” for children, lost of climbing structures and is accessible for those with mobility issues. There are also 2 mazes located next to the playground equipment, some BBQ’s for families to have a picnic (available for use at no cost!) and picnic tables.

    Reply
  3. Wish a park from Fort McMurray was included, I’m always amazed as to the amount of awesome playgrounds there are in the area, yet as per usual, no one bothers to say anything positive about our community.

    Reply
    • Hi Nicole,

      We had looked for a playground in Fort McMurray, but it was difficult to find information about which playgrounds were still great after the fire. It would be great if you were willing ot share a few of your favourites.

    • Great list! p.s. Pretty sure I haven’t heard anything BUT great things about Fort MCMurray over the past year!

  4. I see a trend of towers!! I BEE-lieve we may have have the highest here at the Honey Capital of Canada in Falher, Alberta!! Check it out here
    We are not done adding to it!
    There are some amazing parks featured here in this 150!! Definitely feel our park belongs in the list!! It’s a pretty SWEET park!!

    Reply

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