Just above the downtown core is the Nob Hill neighbourhood - this was a wealthy section of Nanaimo's "Middle Ward" in Victorian/Edwardian times, and still has tons of beautiful old homes.
Nob Hill Park is not large, being less than a block in size perhaps - but it's one of the oldest in the city, and is characterized by pretty rolling hillocks and some distinctive Garry oaks and Douglas firs. It's a great place to lay out a blanket, especially up on the rocky highest point where you can see a fair bit of the harbour.
There is a quality playground here, but what I love about this park, is that it's a GREAT place for a Nerf gun war! There are lots of landscape features that are fun to implement in a battle. Just bear in mind that this is an inner-city park; it's worthwhile to scan the surroundings if you will come with children.
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