Partying With Paul at Andrew Haydon Park

About a week ago, my friend Paul invited me and the kids to visit a magical and exciting place called "Andrew Haydon Park." According to my entirely objective and inerrant source (Wikipedia), Andrew Haydon was the former reeve of Nepean, which meant that he was the highest ranking elected official in that township. When Nepean became a city in 1978, Andrew Haydon became its first mayor, and just recently ran again for the mayor-ship in the 2010 municipal election, losing handily to Jim Watson.

Doesn't history make you excited? Me too!


Andrew Haydon Park has to be one of the coolest parks in Ottawa, because it is a self-described "water playground." How is that different from a splash pad? Well, with a splash pad, the water is there to suprise and soak you, but at this park, though, the water is actually a toy for kids to play with using its awesome water contraptions. You push a button to turn on the water at the top, and it starts a little river flowing. The kids can get the river to stream in whatever way they want, until it hits the sand at the bottom, and then they can make little moats for the water to run into. Pretty cool!

Here's Paul! What a guy. He spent the whole morning and early afternoon with us, working with Jesse to build sand castles and generally ensuring that the kids had a great time.

I spent some quality time with Janna, who was more interested in being cute than building sand castles.

Paul explains to Jesse the mysteries of the water machine. Eventually, this box will fill up with water...

...and Jesse will stand in it! And then ask for somebody to rescue him. And then climb back in. (Repeat.)

Jesse wanted to make sure that Paul built three castles, and one had to be on top. He was very specific with his directions, which was appropriate since these structures had a very important destiny...

...DESTRUCTION!!! 

While Jesse was attacking Paul's sand castles, Janna was attacking Daddy! 

She loved the _______________. I can't remember the name of them: they're in the shape of animals and they have springs on the bottom, and you're supposed to rock back and forth and from side to side.... Anyhow, Janna would sit on this thing, grip the bar as hard as she could, cast a determined look in my direction, and SHAKE the dickens out of it. Here she is pre-shake.

 Post shake. Phew! All that shaking is hard work!

Back at home, Paul played trains with Jesse while I cooked up the "Cheesy Noodles," AKA Kraft Dinner.

Conclusion: Andrew Haydon Park ranks high with a solid 9 out of 10 on the Vance Park Rating System. The parking is even free! If you live in Ottawa and have kids (or an adult who really likes building sand castles!), I'd definitely recommend checking this place out.

Big thanks to Paul Dagenais for making Jesse's day so great!

'Til next time...