Connaught Park

Connaught Park in Vancouver's Kitsilano neighborhood is one of those parks that has a little bit of everything: a solid playground, splash pad, sports fields, and an indoor ice rink at the adjacent community centre. It's the kind of place where you can spend a full morning without running out of things to do.

The playground is the main attraction for younger kids, with climbing structures, slides, and swings that are well-maintained and age-appropriate. The splash pad runs during summer months and is a free way to cool down on hot days. For older kids and teens, the sports fields handle soccer, softball, and casual pickup games, and the basketball courts see steady use.

The indoor ice rink at Connaught Park Community Centre is what sets this park apart from most Vancouver playgrounds. Public skate sessions run throughout the week, and the rink offers lessons for kids of all skill levels. In winter, this becomes the primary draw. Skate rentals are available at the rink.

The park sits on West 10th Avenue in a residential part of Kitsilano, which means it's generally quieter than the bigger destination parks like Stanley Park or Queen Elizabeth Park. Street parking is usually available without much trouble. The neighborhood has coffee shops and bakeries on nearby W Broadway and W 4th Avenue for a post-park snack.