We prefer small parks that fulfill their potential over large ones that don’t, which is how the sprawling Killarney can be #111 and this quiet unobtrusive park just a few blocks north of Joyce-Collingwood station can be here.

Carleton is a simple park with a slight hill on one side and trees on the other, with a rudimentary field making up the bulk of the area.

There are a couple extra flourishes that make this a fairly good neighbourhood park — a well-paved path gives an easy thoroughfare and some simple definition to the property, and the alley on one side helps to provide a more secluded feel.

And the playground, which is fairly new, is quite good for 5-10 year olds. There’s a climbing apparatus and a couple of slides, a large swing that can fit multiple kids, a sand pit, and plenty of nearby benches for parents to safely watch from. 

None of this is particularly exciting, but all of this is good, given the park’s limited ambitions.