Summer is for making a splash, and on a sweltering day, what better way to cool off than at a fun-for-all splash pad. Perfect for little ones to run around, the water feature at Émilie-Gamelin Park in La Prairie has tons of opportunities for boisterous play.

A colourful crab and fish sprayer, cascading trees, a spinning disc, and ground jets will get children dancing, leaping, and chilling out. Kids can duck behind the ship’s bow while aiming the water cannon, or stand under the enormous scorpion and wait for its claws and stinger to tip and soak them.

With plenty of room both on and around the water area, and with the splash pad in sight of the playground, it’s easy to watch kids whether they’re in the water or play areas.

The playground is also fantastic, with an out-of-this-world space theme and great equipment for toddlers and older kids. Activity panels will get kids running about and exploring while they spin the dial and hunt for various images around the playground. And plenty of slides, rungs, and steps will get them active enough to need to go back into the water to cool off!

In addition to the splash pad, the huge multi-purpose park is also home to a number of sports installations including beach volleyball courts, soccer fields, two baseball diamonds, and a winter sledding hill. There are plenty of spots to spread out on the grass for a lunch or at a nearby picnic table.

THINGS TO NOTE:

– There’s no shade.
– The playground is all on wood chips.
– Benches and picnic tables are right near the playground.

ÉMILIE-GAMELIN PARK

Address: 175 des Mésanges Blvd., La Prairie.
Parking: There is a large parking lot.
Bathroom facility: A chalet has bathrooms but no opening times are posted.
Splash pad hours: The water is on daily from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Press the sensor to start the water sequence and the water will go off automatically.

All photos by Christine Latreille