Are your kids too bored and too hot? I know mine are, so we have been spending time at Maple Ridge Park in… Yes, Maple Ridge. The other side of the river.

This gorgeous park is a nature-lover’s paradise, and is only 15 minutes from the Golden Ears Bridge.

Why go?

There is actual shade. Glorious, glorious shade. Some newer parks are packed with great equipment, but have nowhere to hide from the sun. This park has massive playground for all ages shaded by towering cedar trees, and natural critters abound. Birds and squirrels and fish and… you get it.

 

You can cool off in the water. Again, this clever park is made for all ages, with two splash park zones for the bigs and littles. The late afternoon is a great time to go, since the sun starts to dip behind the trees.

Water parks not your thing? Take advantage of a quieter place to cool off, as Maple Ridge Park is bordered by the Alouette River. This time of year, it is shallow enough to walk across, and is again surrounded by trees, making it the perfect place to hide on these lingering summer days. If you sit quietly enough, you will even see little fish swimming around your toes.

Don’t forget to bring your tube, because older children (and adults!) can float the river from the top of the park to the bottom.

What else is there? Huge fields to play Frisbee on, a rock wall to climb, sand to dig in, a walking trail along the river, gazebos, plenty of picnic tables and enough fun to tire the kids out.

There is plenty of parking off of both 132^nd and Fern Crescent, but we avoid peak weekend times by going early or at dinner time for a picnic. Maple Ridge Park may be a bit further than your usual spot, but before the summer is over you should make a trip out. The kids will be exhausted (read: not bored!) and no one will die of sunstroke. Perfect.

Maple Ridge Park is located at 23200 Fern Crescent, Maple Ridge.

[author] [author_image timthumb=’on’]https://www.thevalleymom.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/carolyn.png[/author_image] [author_info]Carolyn works full time while parenting her two boys, alongside a very patient husband and a very large, hairy dog. Sometimes she writes. Despite dreaming of the 1000 lives she could potentially lead, she is pretty happy with the one she’s got. One day, she will again visit the gym and read a book, but in the meantime, it’s all mud puddles, play dough and lego. You can visit her on Twitter @CarolynLaba or Linkedin www.linkedin.com/in/carolynlaba[/author_info] [/author]