It’s Easy Being Green at James McCrie Douglas Park

I’m a sucker for a new playground.

It was near bedtime and my four-and-a-half year old twin daughters and I were headed for home at the end of a very long day long day when I spotted it – a playground with bright green accents, shimmering like a mirage in the distance.

“Let’s just drive by and take a peek.” I said, kidding no one – not even myself. “Look at that merry-go-round!” one of my girls replied.

It went without saying – we stopped to play.

The playground at John McCrie Douglas Park is outstanding. First of all it’s huge. It has tons of equipment for kids of all ages, spread out in a vast area – and it’s entirely based in woodchips.

The toddler park is a riot! Even at 4.5, both my girls spent the bulk of their time there. We loved the tiny, bright green playhouse – particularly the adorable accessories, like its red tulips and yellow beehive, and the fun features like the turnstile that lets you select which critter is visiting your tree! (the opposite side, inside the playhouse, allows you to choose a pet for your house!)

Just beyond the playhouse is an interactive gas station with fuel pumps on chains and a two-seater, spring mounted fire truck, but our real obsession was the music station.

Two touch-pad stations let you plan the piano and a full drum set (complete with cymbals). There’s also a more traditional set of bongo drums to bang.

If you have climbers, this park will suit you perfectly, starting with the unique merry-go-round. This one has a combination of ropes and bars to let climbers reach new heights.

The rest of the park has a remarkable variety of climbing structures. There’s a freestanding ladder dome and a set of tiered green towers.

There are tons of ways to ascend the main structure – from a ladder that looks like it was made out of nailer boards, to the leafed vine that makes you feel a little like Jack heading up the beanstalk.

There are twisted climbers and rope ladders and bars to stretch out on. Even the toddler park has a few, including a climbing wall.

This park checks all the boxes. There are plenty of swings – regular swings, toddler swings, even saucer swings. Spinny things? Yup, it has a few. Rope mounted platforms? We call them trapezes and here we found one of the best sets we’ve ever seen!

John McCrie Douglas Park is set just off Constable Daniel Woodall School and St. John XXIII School. It has benches and a covered picnic area as well as a paved area for basketball. There are no bathrooms on site, but it’s very close to the busy Windermere shopping district, so proper bathrooms aren’t far away.

James McCrie Douglas Park:

Where: 365 Windermere Road NW, Edmonton (map)