Alexa, one of my two older daughters, joined me on my most recent playground jaunt. The small ones were napping at home in Eastern Passage after a full morning’s beaching and teddy bear’s picnic activity.
The day is sunny and cracking hot. Of the six places we visit, there are kids playing at only two of them. It could be the time of day, the fact that it is a long weekend or, rarity of rarities this summer, the too intense heat of the afternoon sun. It feels as though something is amiss. There is an uncanniness about an empty urban playground on a fine summer’s day.
There isn’t a soul at the Inglis St. Public School Playground (map). The green oasis that contains the park is bordered by high density use private and public buildings. To the north are the IWK hospital, Gorsebrook Junior High and a mix of commercial and residential properties. To the south are more residential properties – many old family homes turned into multiplex, student rentals – and Saint Mary’s University. Back in the 18th and 19th centuries, the Halifax Commons extended this far south. Now it is the only green expanse left between Bell Road to the north and Inglis Street. It’s well used throughout the year particularly with two schools looking out on the lush grass or the snow sliding slopes depending on the season.
There are two play areas (photos) side by side just east of the school parking lot. One is for the toddler, pre-school set. It is modular plastic with a number of bells and whistles – an abacus, spinning cogwheels, two reflecting spheres, a small playhouse and the requisite double slide for tiny pals holding hands or whooshing race descents. In comparison with some of the newer installations at other playgrounds, this one is starting to show its age but remains fully functional.
A yellow corkscrew slide separates the two play areas. Standing on the top step there is a fine view of the natural grassy bowl to the north, the soccer field, and the basketball and tennis courts. The climbing and running apparatus for the older kids is a multi-level wooden and metal structure with one plastic slide. On the east side of the structure is a one track, two handle glider – an invitation for oncoming mid-air collisions.
If you like swings, they’re in short supply here – one baby swing, one regular swing of the rubberized canvas variety. It might mean a bit of a wait for swing aficionados.
There is space for 10 to 15 cars in the parking lot when school is not it. Both play areas have pebble infill. There are a couple of park benches and plenty of shade from towering trees around the playground’s perimeter. There are four or five huge boulders leading from the school to the playground. Beware of adventurous young ones who might clamber up and accidentally fall off.
If you’re visiting at the IWK, outdoor fun is close at hand. It’s just a skip, hop and a jump away – one kilometre to be exact. Go south on Robie and then east on Inlgis and you’re there. If you are a guest at the Ronald McDonald Atlantic House you’re just over a half a kilometre from a playground adventure – south on Tower and west on Inglis.
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