Thanks to Katie for this guest review!
Location mapCommunity: Prestwick – Prestwick Drive & Prestwick Circle SE
Parking: Free street parking
Charlotte’s Review (2.5 years old): “What was your favourite thing about the park?” “The swings! And the slide. YEAH!”
Luc’s Review (5 months old): “Mah mah mah mah MAH!”
Age Range: 0 – 12
Ground cover: Pea gravel
Shade: Very limited, as trees are immature
Surrounding park area: The playground is in a small park with some flat grassy space. There are small trees and shrubs and paved pathways.
Seating: 2 benches and 2 picnic tables
Accessibility: Strollers and wheelchairs can navigate the paved paths through the park and around the playground. The playground itself is not accessible.
Features: Butterfly-themed play structure with a wavy slide, a bridge, a sliding pole, two climbers that lead to the bridge / slide, 3 swings (inc. 1 infant swing), metal butterfly bouncers, “ice cream” shop and tiny bench beneath the slide. Trees and plants in the park were chosen for their appeal to butterflies in an effort to attract real ones to the playground.
Overall Assessment: My daughter is terrified of butterflies, but this is her favourite park. Luckily, we never see real butterflies here.
There is very little shade, but all of the parks in McKenzie Towne have that problem. I love the wide variety of equipment in the playground, and the giant butterflies create a fun theme.
The ice cream shop beneath the slide creates an opportunity for imaginative play. There is also a big picture at the top of the slide that shows the sign language for every letter of the alphabet, which is fun to try with the kids. Overall, the Butterfly Park is one of my favourite playgrounds!
