This is such a fun place to visit. It is great year round, but particularly shines in the summer. While our kids are quite small (3 and 1) there is literally something to do for all ages. The area is comprised of a playground, beach, splash pad, skate park as well as areas to picnic and play volley ball!

ActivitiesMealsAccomodationsTravelResources

Activities

Parksville Community Park is incredible. Not only is it right off the beach, but it is right beside a really well-built skate park and a splash pad. There is a lot of parking but spaces can fill up, especially on a hot summer day, so it can take a minute to find a spot depending on what time of day you go. That being said, there’s a lot of turnover and rarely a long wait for a spot.

The playground in the park has a variety of equipment geared to different ages. There are things that the little guys can play with, equipment with ramps for toddlers who love to race around, and equipment with different ways to climb up things for bigger kids. And don’t forget the zip line. My eldest is 3 and she loves to watch the bigger kids zoom along the line.

Community Park boasts an amazing splash pad. There’s a water slide, a dumping bucket of water and loads of other things that squirt water. What better way to beat the heat. And for free at that!

If you want more of a dip, the park is right off of the beach and boardwalk. You can dunk yourself in the ocean or, if the tide is out, do some serious splashing around in tidal pools. The tidal pools are perfect for little people and are SO warm. And if you tire of swimming, you can beach comb to your heart’s delight.

Seriously, so much free fun for the family. And there are washrooms right there as well (which obviously is a prime concern for those with children). Outside the washroom there is also an outdoor shower to blast the sand off before heading home.

Meals

We usually do a day trip to the park, so typically bring a picnic with us but if you’re coming from farther away or would rather not pack your own fare, there are food trucks right there in the summer. Farm to Fire offers wood-oven fired pizza made from locally sourced ingredients and is made fresh when you order. Their pizza is seriously life changing. There is also a vendor who sells fresh made doughnuts. The smell is tantalizing.

Accomodations

We actually live locally now, so returned to our home but have friends who have stayed at the resorts each year who have loved the experience. Places that offer a kitchenette got big thumbs up, as you can have the benefit of being on vacation but with small children being able to make your own meals is so helpful.

Travel

We drove our van. Parksville is fairly small but having a vehicle is great to get across town. I’ve heard that the local transit is great as well.

Packing tips

Sunscreen, hats, towels and a change of clothes are definite musts if going in the summer. There are water fountains in the area, so while a water bottle would be great you’ll still be able to have a drink if you forget yours or don’t have room. If you plan on hitting the beach with kids, we found that we didn’t really use our camp chairs because we were too busy running around, playing in the water and adventuring. Little shovels, however, made for hours for fun.

Resources

Parksville Qualicum Beach
Farm to Fire Pizza