Skip to content
Join our Newsletter

Bayly Park playground gets kid approval

Play structures officially opened at Cheakamus Crossing over former landfill
n-bayly_park_ice_cream_jfrench_web
IMAGINATION STATION Craig, Joshua and Lucas Tricco were really excited about the new ice cream shop they operated with Maury and Tianna Power at Bayly Park on Saturday, May 25. Photo by John French

A new ice cream shop quietly opened in Whistler at Cheakamus Crossing. This new shop won’t offer much competition for Whistler’s existing ice cream operators.

On Saturday, May 25 it was manned for a few minutes by Lucas and Joshua Tricco along with Tianna Power. They took turns operating the shop and swapping imaginary cones for made-up money at Bayly Park in Whistler’s newest playground. The cones were selling from $6 for a two scoop adult cone to just a dollar for a triple scoop kid cone. When the trio tired of buying and selling ice cream they abandoned their storefront and played on other features at the Bayly Park playground.

Cheakamus Crossing resident Craig Tricco was at the park with his two sons Saturday afternoon while Maury Power was hanging out with his daughter as Tianna’s sister participated in a gymnastics class.

“This is awesome,” said Tricco of the park across the street from his home. Power, who lives at Alpine, said the park is nice and he’s looking forward to the completion of the other elements planned for the park.

Whistler’s newest playground features a large sandy area, double elephant swings, slides suitable for kids aged five to 12, four benches and three picnic tables. One of the picnic tables is fully accessible. Tire Stewardship BC picked up half the cost, just over $17,700, of the rubberized playground surface under the swings and other play structures.

Whistler Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden announced the opening of the playground through a news release on May 24.

“This playground and the other amenities at Bayly Park are a direct legacy of the 2010 Winter Games and will benefit the Whistler community and visitors for years to come,” said Wilhelm-Morden. “I encourage families and children to come out and experience this outstanding new playground for themselves, as well as to look forward to enjoying the full Bayly Park experience when it is completed this summer.”

The park is 8.45 hectare (21 acres) in size and along with the playground it currently features a community garden, a street hockey area and a sandy multi-use sport area.

The total budget for the park project is $1.68 million. An all-weather soccer field is under construction along with a tennis court. Washrooms and a drinking fountain near the playground are expected to be completed in a few weeks.