Victory Park

This park has wonderful potential. I took my 2 year old there on a Saturday morning because it's close to my home. It's a little hard to find the entrance. There was a homeless person living on one of the benches and another set up in a ramshackle tent like set up. Someone was living in the bathroom and came out like a zombie to shuffle around the picnic tables picking up who knows what and trying to smoke it. There is lots of large limbs and dangerous debris all over the area. The benches are falling apart properly because people are living on them. The park needs a really good cleaning and some official security to keep vagrants out.

I’ve been trying out local parks for my 17 month old toddler. This park ranked the 2nd worst out of my list for today (Bruce Park was the worst on the list, Gerrie Park the best). I went to Bruce park, Gamewell Tot park, Gerrie Park, and lastly Victory Park. What I’m looking for in a park, is location close to home, I feel safe there alone with my toddler, it is clean, and has a playground suitable for a 17 month old. Here’s my opinion of Victory Park as of 6/25/23: Pros: It is close to my home Cons: Playground was designed for 5-12 year olds not toddlers. Graffiti in the pavilion upon entering the playground There was dangerous trash in the playground area To elaborate: The dangerous trash was broken glass all around the pavilion, which is right by the playground. My toddler was instantly drawn to the glimmer of the glass and wanted to pick it up. Overall just random trash everywhere. Again my purpose for coming was for a playground for my toddler who as a toddler does wants to pick up everything and explore. I was on constant guard of her putting a random trash in her mouth. Toddlers are supposed to explore with rocks, sticks, mulch etc not cigarette butts, bear cans, litter, and broken glass. Very disappointed with this park as I thought it was going to rank the best due to the space and shade in the area. Will not be returning.

Best park to play fetch with my Dog. Never crowded and plenty of shade.

It's a nice park. But there was a homeless man asleep on a bench & 2 others wandering around with a mountain of belongings piled on 2 other benches. I would not have felt comfortable by myself. We were 2 adult women & 2 small children.