The Sport-Focused Road Trip-Parksville, Vancouver Island
I look back in disbelief on days gone by when my calendar had a few reminders for the month, rather than a series of playdates, sports practices, games, and volunteering. All of the aforementioned having been crossed out, redirected with arrows, or highlighted in 10 colours. I have realized however, that I would be lost and totally bored without the chaos that is my two full-speed boys, active husband, and (recently added) hyper puppy. So when I found out I would be acting as a single parent on my eldest son’s first out-of-town lacrosse tournament, I looked at it as just one more adventure for us to tuck into our album of travels.
As a military family posted abroad, we have spent what seems like four years in airports, I am now finding that anywhere I can take a ferry or drive my van to in this glorious province, is absolutely perfect. Parksville fit the bill, being a short two hour drive from Victoria. It was easily manageable with a 3 year old, 8 year old, and a 5 month old pup. We didn’t even have to make a pit stop! Because the trip was focused around the tournament itself, we didn’t have a chance to explore as much of the town as we would have liked. Lucky for us, we hit the jackpot and our first game was at Parksville’s Community Park.
Set along Parksville Beach, it features an enormous outdoor playground, water park, lacrosse box, curling rink, concession stand, beach volleyball, fields for soccer, baseball, croquet, and football. There are plenty of grassy areas with picnic tables for parents to sit at and watch the children while they play. All you have to say is “beach” and my kids are game. Parksville is the perfect place to enjoy the summer for the day, or camping in the surrounding area and enjoying all the amenities Parksville has to offer.
Things to Do Near Parksville-The Oceanside Community Park
So many activities are at your finger tips at the Community Park itself that you don’t need to venture far. Take a stroll along the 10 foot wide boardwalk along Parksville Beach, take a dip in the Strait of Georgia, join in a game of beach volleyball, toss a Frisbee, or take a picnic lunch and stretch out on the grassy areas meant for lounging. If you choose to venture a very short distance from the Community Park you will find the Paradise Fun Park where you can be a kid again and enjoy a game of mini golf and the bumper boats.
In addition, and perhaps what Parksville is best known for, are the vast sandy beaches of Rathtrevor Provincial Park and Qualicum Beach. There is nothing that says Summer quite like ice cream. The concession stand at Community Park has a variety of “swirl” flavours to add to your soft ice cream, and this quickly became something we had to do every day. My personal favourite was the chocolate swirl that actually tasted a bit like hazelnut coffee. Wish I would have had time for just one more…
Where We Stayed-Riverbend Cottage & RV Resort
Located along the Englishman River in a heavily wooded area, this campground has something for everyone. Riverbend Cottage and RV Resort offers a wide range of accommodation options from cabins to tenting. Hidden down below is access to the crystal clear river; perfect for cooling off in. The kids were brave enough to take a dip even though it was early June and the river was chilly.
The entire lacrosse team chose to stay at this site together and it proved to be a fantastic site for the kids to interact outside the lacrosse box. The center of the campsite has a wonderful little playground and grassy area perfect for soccer, football or tag. As this is essentially the center of the campsite, kids can safely ride their bicycles around the road that circles the park. The pup was more than welcome at the campsite as long as it was leashed and a small daily deposit of $10 was charged.
Riverbend Cottage & RV Resort 1-924 East Island Highway,
Parksville, British Columbia, CANADA, V9P 1R6
Toll Free 1-800-701-3033 Phone: 250-248-3134
http://www.riverbendresort.bc.ca
The TravelingWithChildrenTourist is a well-traveled mom who has lived around the world.