DRIFTWOOD PLAYGROUND

As the name implies, Driftwood Playground is made mostly out of driftwood, albeit the metal pole and plastic slide. Perhaps looking like a skeletal belly of a marine animal, a strange blooming flower, or cold, skinny zombie fingers grasping towards the sky, this interactive, public art piece is open for interpretation and open for play.

Along with the climbing wall, ladder, slide and metal pole, there’s also a tunnel made from a hollow log right underneath the slide. Taking a closer look at the driftwood, one can ask a child to observe the intricate patterns of the woodgrain, which swirls and bends with the driftwoods’ knots and funny angles.

Beside this wooden structure is a stone circle under a shady tree, plus logs and benches for additional seating. There’s also a very thorny bush nearby that we couldn’t identify properly as the plant was bare due to our visit being in the middle of winter. Across the footpath is Romer’s Burger Bar (which might be one’s only option for a washroom in the immediate area) and a little free library.

Continue your walk or bike westward along the riverfront to find both Riverfront Park Playground East and Riverfront Park Playground West. Or venture eastward to get to the Tugboat Landing Playground. On our walk around Driftwood Playground, we saw hummingbirds and dormant blackberry bushes, giving clues as to what wildlife and vegetation one might come across once the weather warms up.

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