John McLaren Park Playground (University Street)

Picnic tables by the dozen and ducks to watch on McNab Lake, with a playground, courts, a soccer pitch and two ball fields; dogs welcome.

Built for the under-six crowd, so bigger kids run out of things to do fast; it isn't set up for wheelchairs.

A really tall climbing structure with a slide, a couple of swings and wooden climbers, with a bathroom close by, a huge lawn and reservable picnic tables.

The second biggest park in the city: trails, ducks on McNab Lake, several playgrounds and the bike park, so you can fill a whole day without leaving.

One of those useful everything parks, with a playground, gym, basketball, tennis, soccer, ping pong and a community garden.