Maffeo Sutton Park / Swy-A-Lana Lagoon

This is the the heart of recreation in downtown Nanaimo with a large multi-purpose place right on the water front. The park's focus is the great Swy-a-Lana Lagoon, a tiny manmade lake that is connected to the ocean only at the highest tides. Where kids can swim and play in the sand in the lagoon. Walkways surround the lagoon, as well as fountains like tidal pools that spill back down into the lagoon. there is also a wonderful playground here which is a great place to hang out and play. There is also a nice big field for playing frizbee and maybe tossing a football around. They do hold festivals in the summer at this park. The silly boat regatta usually held in July and the blues fest in April. there is a ferry that comes here that can take you to New castle island right beside the playground and across the bridge from a long public crab-fishing dock that is worth the walk. The people crab fishing are always willing to pose their crabs for a nice picture if you ever wanted. So check out some of downtown Nanaimo.