When the Queensway Tunnel was dug beneath the river, the subsequent rubbish pulled from the ground…read morewas dumped and landscaped into what is now Otterspool Prom. Here you can do everything there is to possibly do on a riverside promenade; things such as walk, ride a bike, look at the water and...um...well that's about it. I suppose you could rollerblade if you wanted. If it's a warm day and you don't mind the style your hair will be sculpted into by the blustering gales, you can follow the prom and its interconnecting paths right up to the Pier Head. If you don't fancy that, try and unearth the ruins of the 1984 Garden Festival, which lies hidden by tree trunks and weeds. You don't know how overtly creepy something is until you accidentally stumble across a kid's overgrown swing park. I still have nightmares.

What a spectacular view. Did you ever see such a coastline? Especially when the waves are choppy…read moreand the wind blustery. I absolutely love the promenade; walking along beside the river with the breathtaking view of the Welsh hills in the background is really relaxing, there's lots of cyclists and dog-walkers around and it's a lovely environment on a clear sunny day. The park which was renovated through the 'Pride in our Proms' project is Amazing. It's a mini world of Big Kid heaven... for me anyway I regressed about 10 years and was on the swings, seesaw and monkey bars, and when we'd totally worn ourselves out running around and taking cool scenic pictures of the sunset we went for a well earned pint from the Otterspool pub which is handily a hop skip and a cartwheel across the park. Go fly a kite, see the sights, play on the park and grab a pint!

My favourite park is Park Ji-Sung, but this one isn't bad either…read more So what makes a good park? Its all swings and roundabouts really, and this ones got both. Its also got a bowling-green, but unfortunately there's something missing. I couldn't place it at first, but eventually I realized, it's the old people. What's the point of a bowling-green without old people, also known as bowlers? Without Vivian, Vigh, Maureen and Doris, the bowling green is an empty waste of space providing fun for exactly no-one. Still it does no real harm, and there's probably a geography dissertation to be done on its vital importance to the food chain, so lets judge the park without considering this square of grass (I wonder why they keep it short..) The swings are blue and red. I like yellow swings so this is a bad point. The trees are green, this seems right so it's a plus one. The grass is short, so its good for football, that's a good thing. The roundabout looks like a death trap, so that's a negative. And its got 15 year olds drinking alcopops on it, but they seem to like it. Hmm, in conclusion, its good for people aged 15-50. Old people don't like it and its dangerous for small kids.

Old Moat Park, named after the ward Old Moat near Withington, is a really normal park. The park has…read moreapparently undergone improvements in recent years resulting in it winning the Green Flag Award in 2005 and 2006, which according to the council is 'the national standard for parks and green spaces in England and Wales and benchmark of excellence in recreational green areas'. However, it is worth adding, that Old Moat Park, is just a normal, regular park. The site is comprised mainly of grass, termed 'amenity grassland' by the ever embellishing council. The council admit that the park is 'predominantly used for play, sports, informal recreation and dog walking by the local community', so basically, it's a normal park. If it's a normal park you're after, Old Moat is the place for you. Its always quiet which is a bonus and they do have a concrete football and basketball area which is excellent if the grass is too wet to play. There's also a wooden carving of an old man, which is very very creepy indeed. Other than that, normal park.

I'm doing it again; I must get to the water. I am a Gremlin. I need to multiply and water is my…read moresavour. In that case I could do a lot worse than Hemsworth Water Park and Play World. Now this badger has two lakes; the largest lake is available for pedalo rides and has sandy beaches; the smallest lake is in a more secluded area to attract wildlife. It's perfect if you want to do a Freddie Flintoff and fool around for a while. It's also ideal to see some great things of interest in this beautiful world we have around us. I'm going all John Lennon on you now. You've also got loads of grassed areas and picnics are no problem either (except the fact it's always freezing and wet in England). Then throw in the Play World bit. This is where I need to fall back and remind myself that I'm not a child any more. For "real" kids though it's got with a tower slide, climbing frames, a toddler's sandpit area and a miniature railway. Toot toot. Once again I've found you a corking day out with a difference but do check what is open if you go before the Easter holidays. You have been warned.

I find myself in something of a quandary. I value the provision of these islands of nature greatly…read moreand will always defend them from the encroaching urban sprawl but I find that I cannot get very excited about Hemsworth Water Park, Nice enough lakes and the ducks were very duck-like, the grass was probably just as green as any other park and the children's play area as clean and well maintained as the best of them but the other play area which is rather grandly called Playworld was locked up thereby saving us a few quid for an experience we could get for free in any half decent public park. I left with the feeling that I had wasted fuel driving to Hemsworth as there are better parks much nearer to where I live.

I've never really been *to* this park, but I have walked through it on numerous occasions, as it…read moremakes for a more scenic walk from Didsbury to Tesco/the cinema/Nando's than the main road does. For a Manchester park it seems to have very few scallies hanging about in it, making it a very pleasant place for a quick stroll or even a picnic (maybe). There is a football pitch, which apparently has an air raid shelter underneath it, a kids play area and a bowling green. Alongside Fletcher Moss Botanical Gardens, Old Parsonage Gardens, Marie Louise Gardens and Fog Lane Park, Didsbury Park contributes to the leafy green spaces which make a welcome break from the café culture and bus fumes of Wilmslow Road.

The Jungle Parc is an absolutely amazing place for kids, and not too bad for adults too. I never…read moreeven knew this place existed until I was searching the net and then came across this place. I would strongly recommend this for age 7 - 10 though smaller ones are able to come along too, height restrictions do apply to certain parts of the adventure courses, so to avoid disappointed I would recommend you go onto their website and check first. This place is all about fun and fitness for the whole family. They have a massive high wire forest adventure course; which is set within the countryside and developed to encourage you to get moving, and trust me by the end you the adventure a good cuppa and sleep is what you'll need, though if it is for the family then keeping the kids active by getting them tired then Jungle Parc is the place to bring them. It is a very safe environment and with all the proper equipment it is very enjoyable. The X-plorer course is for anyone over 1.35m in height and the Adventurer course is for children from 4 years old and with minimum height of 1.05m. The Jungle Parc is situated in Croxteth Country Park which is only 10 minutes from the city centre.

The Jungle Parc which (like Gemma) I also never knew existed until I came across a flyer, is based…read moreat Croxteth Country Park. The site is generally an incredible place for outdoor activities for those looking to burn off more than a bit of energy (adults and children alike). The premises consists of two different courses: X-Plorer course and Adventurer course (for the little ones). Each course is ideally designed with a practical element, almost like an assault course but with the fun involved. There are 40 amazing activities to enjoy as you glide through trees on rope bridges, zip lines and cargo! It definitely sounds exciting as it really is. Adults are just £20 and Juniors £15. Prices include full training and all equipment to make sure you are fully prepared and safe. Not bad at all for an adventourous day in jungle like surroundings.

Heaton Moor Park is a great little park nestled amongst the leafy suburbia of Heaton Moor…read more The park itself is laid out in a fashion I can really best describe as a 4-leaf clover shape, with each "leaf" being a different and unique part of the overall park. There's the "clover green", which is basically just a clover-shaped patch of grass; the tennis courts which are, y'know, tennis courts; the crown bowls green and associated hut; and a children's play area. The park itself is maintained by a local group, the "Friends of Heaton Moor Park", in conjunction with Stockport MBC and they've recently added a new "Woodland Walk" near the clover green. It's essentially a little pathway through the trees and shrubbery which sits in that corner of the park, but it's a neat little idea and one I'm sure will go down well with families once it warms up a bit. The Heatons Summer Festival is hosted in the park every year, and Heaton Moor Road is host to a vast array of pubs and restaurants just a few streets over if you fancy a beer or two. A great little patch of greenery you should definitely check out.

What a great place Heaton Moor Park is (don't get confused with Heaton Park or you could end up in…read morea totally different part of Manchester!) Fantastic parky woodland, some botanical gardens on offer, facilities such as a bowling green and loads of room to chill out - get down here for a nice day out if the sun is shining! Very easily reached in the heart of Heaton Moor and about 5 minutes walk from some great bars, restaurants and shops there's a lot on offer around here if you need to nip and pick up a cooling bottle of wine, a few beers or an ice cream to have while walking around the park. Home to the Heatons festival every yeah which is a great celebration of food and drink - it's also probably only about 5 minutes walk from the Heaton Chapel train station which gets you to Piccadilly in 10 minutes!

Me, my partner & my nearly 3 year old daughter went here for a birthday party & this was our 1st…read moretime here as well. I've always said you can tell how good a Play Centre will be when the parents get excited about going on it, and boy did we. This is one of the biggest play Centres i been to and it can be quite easy to get lost in it. It ranges from rope walls, rope bridges, sponges bridges, to slides (3 in total with one being a near vertical drop which even made me a little apprehensive to go on). Go Karts (£1 a go). The location and the stuff on the menu does kinda show you who the clientele is lets just say not many play centres i go to have Iced Mocha Choca on the drinks menu. Also we got there pretty early but when we left mid afternoon the car park looked like a Range Rover forecourt. But don't let this despair you as the price was still very reasonable and the menu was very reasonable. There was also a big area for toddlers but we didn't venture on to that. Will defo go back

Got kids ? Got active kids ?…read moreGot Hyperactive (vimto & e number fuel'd) kids ? Snakes and slides can help you. Its has a big activity area which helps the kids not get bored to easily. A big area for seating and watching your kids and a nice clean cafe with decent menu.

This is rather a rather expensive activity as your time there is limited by the company and there…read moreare numerous rides and vending equipment inside the place. The meals are ok but are a little on the expensive side for what you get. If you've got a few kids then your looking at £30 for an hours entertainment and dinner. Your eating time is included in the time you're limited to so you can't have a nice relaxed meal as the kids want to be off and play and you're concious of the time you're taking away from their play. The facilities themselves are good and the kids always have a good time. Probably not worth it for crawling kids. I have very active toddler and he still has problems with accessing some of the equipment for under 5s.

Considering I eat and drink out as much as possible, there has to be some sort of action plan when…read moreit comes to shifting the pounds. That's why I'm exceptionally lucky to live next door to Alexandra park, a leafy oasis in the red brick jungle of Edgeley. Not only are there 3 reservoirs with a multitude of fishermen hogging the banks, there's also tennis, basketball and football courts all free and fully unlocked to the public 24/7. There's also the Edgeley crown green bowls pitches to the north of the park which are super popular with an older clientele, plus there's all ages going for it in the tai chi each morning. It's a great place to go for an early morning run, walk your dog (wow - everyone seems to know each other!) and I personally go to shoot a few hoops most morning to get my basketball on (wind permitting...) Perfect for folks with kids - there's a huge playground onsite!