[caption id="attachment_184" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Parc Therese Daviau"][/caption] Ahhhhh, patio season. It's the time of year when you hit downtown strips like St. Denis for long, lazy brunches or sangria at 2 p.m. If you're a parent, it's the time of year when you jealously watch other people enjoying long, lazy brunches or sangria at 2 p.m. ... while you race to get the kids home for their nap so that you have time to clean up the breakfast dishes, work out and buy groceries. But, wait a sec, we don't have to completely relinquish the childless, semi-employed good old days! There's a place on St. Denis for us, too. Plateau parents will be familiar with Thérèse Daviau Park, located on the corner of Roy and Rivard Sts., one block east of St. Denis (view map). This is a good park to know about because it offers the hope of a child and parent-friendly morning or afternoon excursion to St. Denis St. It's fenced off from the sidewalk and a manageable size, so that one parent (let's say, the dad) can watch more than one child on their own (while the mom hits, let's say, a clothing, decor or bead boutique). The park itself has two play structures, one for toddlers and one for age three to seven. [caption id="attachment_185" align="alignright" width="300" caption="This section has lots for kids age 3 and up"][/caption] There's a sand pit, shady areas, drinking water fountains and several places for parents to sit. [caption id="attachment_186" align="alignright" width="300" caption="The toddler section of the park is set in a large sand pit"][/caption] So, next time you wake up on a sunny weekend morning craving a patio brunch or simply a classy coffee and croissant, take the kids to Thérèse Daviau Park first. They will be happy to play there for at least an hour, and will perhaps be tame enough to sit through lunch, brunch or maybe just an ice cream on St. Denis St. More Guided Tours of Montreal parks