Charles G. Williams Park

Equipment by Little Tikes Commercial.

Surface: wood chips.

I’ve wanted to visit more playgrounds in the Parkdale/Roncy area, and for a while I’d had my eyes on a good-looking playground at the Close Avenue Parkette. But after several attempts were foiled by bad weather and other inconveniences, we finally gave up and conceded that the universe just didn’t want us to play there.

Instead, we went with our Plan B: Charles G. Williams Park. And as it turns out, that might have been a better option all along: it’s a cozy neighbourhood spot with good equipment and direct access to fantastic coffee.

On the map, the park looks like a footnote to the much bigger Sorauren Avenue Park, which is right across the street and boasts more green space and a Farmer’s Market. But Charles G. Williams is its own thing, and while it’s nice to have Sorauren Avenue Park right across the street in case you need more space to run around, the cozy shade and play structures at Charles G. Williams probably give you everything you’ll want for an afternoon’s play.

The equipment is large for a small park, with some high slides and challenging climbing options. There are a few standalone ride-on structures, and a sandbox which is nicely shaded throughout most of the day. Some swings, plentiful benches, and a ping pong table provide a few more options at the park’s north end.

But wait! There’s more!

The park continues south along a narrow corridor to another space that includes a splash pad, basketball court, and a smaller basketball half-court with a seven-foot rim; perfect for lil’ ballers. All of this is set beneath the shade of beautiful trees, and decorated on the edges with colourful graffiti murals.

Across the street you’ll see a little shop called “I Deal” – an endearingly hipster convenience store serving tasty coffee and cold treats to bring the kids’ temperatures down after a long play.

So while I’d still like to visit the Close Avenue Parkette someday, for now I’m glad that we were diverted to this wonderful hidden spot. Thanks, universe!