city of toronto | 4 Mothers

Dear September Skies,

Thank you for extending yourself through the first few weeks of October. Your flawless complexion of Columbia blue never ceases to amaze me. Morning walks to school are welcome in your presence, and so are afternoons lazily reading on the back deck. Like unrequited love, I find myself using any excuse to be in your audience: raking leaves becomes a joyous chore and pulling weeds from the recesses of the interlocked bricks is time spent basking in your glory.

I know that you are going to leave me and you will do so abruptly.

A grey shadow will encroach your brightness and there it will stay for months on end, only allowing your magnificence to peak through for short bursts, just when I think I have forgotten your beauty.

Thank you, September Skies. Even though our love is one-sided, I want you to know that merely a glimpse of you fills me with happiness.

Xoxo.

Looking for something to do with the kids this summer to beat the heat? Why not try out a city splash pad?

Toronto is spotted with great splash pads and wading pools that make cooling off with little ones easy-peasy. I recently discovered Hendon Park, which is definitely not new since my nephews used to romp in and out of the spraying palm trees more than a dozen years ago.

The large spray pad contains several palm trees which rain water down and just as many fountains that shoot streams high overhead. An adjacent patch of sprayers is available for the littlest ones looking for some fun, which makes taking kids of various ages just a bit easier.

Next to the water attraction is a decent sized park with swings, climbers and public tennis courts. Washrooms are free to use so you don’t have to worry about cutting the trip short to use the potty. But since I have boys, who view the world as their tree, we rarely have this problem!

Bring a blanket, some snacks and grab a spot in the plentiful shade and enjoy a day with friends.

More information about Hendon Park including directions click here.

Melanie On The Go offers her review of Hendon Park here.

For a complete location of Toronto’s splash pads click here.

Where are the best splash/spray pads in your neighbourhood?

photo credit: http://www.melanieotg.ca