Jackie Parker Recreation Area

Jackie Parker Recreation Area is a great big area with many amenities for the family. There are picnic sites, a spray park, climbing wall, playground, small lake (skating pond in winter), walking trails, fire pit, and an off-​leash area. The Millwoods golf-​course is also very close by.
I am going to focus my review on the off-​leash area as the only kids I have are of the furry four-​legged kind. So we go out to Jackie Parker quite a bit with the dogs. Our other favourite off-​leash area is Terwillegar but Jackie Parker is becoming a new favourite.
The off-​leash are is quite large and expansive and has a kind of a figure-​8 walking trail. There are poopy bag dispensers on location and as per usual people leave extra bags out as well. There is a notice board for community info as well as lost/​found posts etc. The last time I was there they have also installed a Little Free Library box.
The parking lot is a bit small in the off-​leash area to accommodate the number of people that use this area (–1 star), but you can always park in the playground parking lot and walk across the road to enter the off-​leash area. Be respectful though as the playground area is not off-​leash so you should keep your dogs on leash until you reach the off-​leash area (not everyone likes dogs, or is unfired of them no matter how gentle).

This park is OUT OF THIS WORLD!
There are so many playgrounds here, it is easy for me to get lost!
TONS of parking, at least 5 separate playgrounds including — toddler playground, big kid playground, rock wall/​climbing and rope course play ground, HUGE spray park, and a freaking monkey bars playground… that’s right, I said a monkey bars playground with more than 20 different types/​styles of monkey bars.
This park is INSANE — if you haven’t been here, you NEED to come. Get up, right now and go!
So pray tell, why am I only giving 4 stars rather than 5 stars? Well… Okay, compared to my family’s personal have spray park, this park does not offer concessions, is not staffed during all open hours, and has a lake that little ones could run off to quickly and possibly get wet or be in a dangerous situation.
So… If coming here with only big kids that you trust not to go in the lake or run out in the parking lot, then this park may become your very favourite. If you are like me with two kids under 6, this park requires a 1:1 ratio of adults to children to be certain of safety.
I will most definitely be coming back here again and again and again!

We thoroughly enjoy this off leash area. There is open area and a walk along the ravine stream. Dogs are often found cavorting in the water. Tree coverage keeps that area cool in the summer and it smells fabulous. It borders a golf coarse so you know it is green. We have been going for several years and recommend that park to anyone and everyone.