Lock 3 Museum Playground

If you’re local and haven’t taken the kids here yet, you’re missing out. The ship-themed climbing structure is a genuinely cool touch — it makes sense given you’re basically right on the Welland Canal, where the kids can watch actual freighters pass through Lock 3 while they play. Shade trees and covered seating mean you can actually survive a summer afternoon here without baking, and there’s enough picnic table space that you don’t have to fight for a spot. Restrooms, parking, and a walking path along the water round things out nicely for a solid half-day with kids anywhere from toddlers up to about 12. It’s one of those spots that does a lot of things right without making a big deal about it.