One of my favourite things to do on long summer days is to hop in the car and head off in search of “new-to-us” parks or attractions. On one such trip through Coteau-du-Lac and Valleyfield, we visited a recently renovated park; every family member found something we loved.
The new parc des Mouettes in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield includes a variety of modern and nature-themed equipment that welcomes a wide range of visitors.
Sit back and refresh
The splash pad and lounge chairs invite users to play, rest, and cool off. Reminiscent of a stream in nature, there are rocks interspersed within the water area, interactive jets on the ground, and indigenous plants that were already abuzz with insects.
Toddlers have a beautiful play space that’s just their size and can toddle up and down the small stairs and across the bridge of the wooden play structure. The area is ripe for imaginative play, and little ones can pretend they’re in a fairy house, a restaurant, or turn the steering wheel and head off on a voyage.
The array of swings will satisfy all ages. The tandem Kompan You & Me Seat lets toddlers swing together with their parents, siblings, or grandparents. There are also adult and baby swings, and two saucer swings for full-on fun.
Great for youth
The city is the first in Quebec to install the Cliff Rider, the thrilling, and rather intimidating module made up of two tall towers and a central pole that the rider uses to cross the divide. My 14-year-old is pretty hard to impress, and it’s been a long time since I’ve seen him hesitant at a playground! But, we cheered him on, and with a deep breath, he pushed himself off and rode across to the other side. And then did it 28 more times.
A great example of a multigenerational space, the small park also boasts a basketball half court, an outdoor stationary bicycle and elliptical machine that display your performance results or allow you to view them via a mobile app, and a large shaded area with tables and chairs. The second phase of construction will include a garden of fruit shrubs and a trail to link a seniors’ home and its adjoining daycare centre.
The nearby Parc Delpha-Sauvé and its outdoor aquatic centre is a great option to add to your list if you want to spend a couple of hours in the area, or head over to the beautiful Parc régional des Îles-de-Saint-Timothée and hang out at the beach.
THINGS TO NOTE:
-The splash pad is on from 9 a.m. until 8 p.m.
-There is no fencing around the park.
PARC DES MOUETTES
Address: The playground is located at the corner of Victor-Léger and Saint-Louis Sts., Salaberry-de-Valleyfield.
Parking: Street parking is available right in front of the park.
Bathroom facility: There were no facilities in place when we visited.
All photos by Christine Latreille
