Amosland Park: an extensive playground just outside SW Philly

Playground: Amosland Park
Location: E. Amosland Rd. (between Winona and Cleveland, drive into park), in Norwood PA (just SW of SW Philadelphia)
Date visited: 4/21/13

Equipment:

• Tall playset: 2 climbing walls, "iceberg" climbing steps, three bumpy/wavy slides and three spiral slides (all plastic), a solid bridge, and two curvy slides
• Lower playset: four plastic slides (1 low, 2 taller straight, 1 tall wavy), shop window, lots of things under (to crank, etc.)
• Old-fashioned merry-go-round
• two bucket and six strap swings (high)

Ages: 1-11
Surface: wood chips
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: N
Other: picnic tables, baseball and soccer fields, lots of grass
Access: not gated, so presumably dawn to dusk

Impressions: A nice suburban recreation park, with tons of grassy fields surrounded by low houses and woods.  Lots of cheery kids of all ages on the sunny spring day of our visit.  Looks like the small building might offer concessions on hot days or during sporting events.  Shadeless, but nice for a spring or fall outing, maybe with a picnic.

Overall rating: 8

Kemble Park: just swings

Playground: Kemble Park
Location: W Olney Ave at Ogontz Ave.
Date visited: 5/14/13

Equipment: 2 bucket swings, 2 strap swings, used to be more?

Ages: 1-4
Surface: Rubbery wood chips
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: N
Other: Basketball courts (1-1/2), big park, many trees, kitty-corner from Central High School, which maybe doesn't translate to much, except on a lovely day, near dismissal time, an ice cream truck shows up

Access: Open (public park)
Impressions: Lovely setting, but, um, it's just swings!

Overall rating: N/A; it's just swings

An interesting playground in the Lemon Hill zone of Fairmount Park

Playground: Lemon Hill playground (probably not its official name; couldn't see an official name...)
Location: Poplar Drive, near intersection with Poplar Street (you can't make this stuff up...)
Date visited: 3/30/13

Equipment: fairly large platform play-set, with two bridges (high straight, lower arched), five ladders (including two submarine-style), two large plastic slides (one spiral, one straight), smaller side-by-side double-slide, low monkey rings (under high bridge), high monkey bars (really, loops...), novel sloped doorstep ladder with handrail, toadstool steps, 2 bucket swings, 2 strap swings, short play stage

Ages: 1 1/2-10
Surface: rubber-chips
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: N
Other: basketball, picnic tables, baseball field, climbing trees, large hillside field
Access: open, though presumably dawn to dusk as part of Fairmount Park

Impressions: Pleasant Fairmount Park environment, on a sloped hillside with nearby picnic areas and ballfields, and an interesting view of a distant cityscape combined with the nearby densely packed small houses of the NW corner of the Fairmount neighborhood.  Play equipment not extensive as some but an interesting variety, in good shape, and enough to keep most kids engaged for a while.  Seems like a perfect accompaniment to a Fairmount Park picnic and a great resource for the local neighborhood.

Overall rating: 7-8

Olney Rec Center: sports fields galore, and a fun playground too

Playground: Olney Recreation Center
Location: Spencer St. & A St., just east of Front St.
Date visited: 6/16/12

Equipment: Two zones (one on each side of rec center)

• Small kids' zone: 3 bucket swings, 1 strap swing, low climbing playlet with jointed bridge, low metal slides (one single, one double (with end too far off ground...))
• Bigger kids' zone: impressively large, with spiral metal slide and three straight metal slides, high solid bridge, long stretch of monkey-bar rings (plus a short stretch under the bridge, though some missing there), many climbing apparatus including 2 submarine-style, metal "rope-net", fireman's pole, bench underneath, footstools

Ages: 1-12
Surface: rubbery surrounded by blacktop
Shade(0-3): 0 (recently-cut large tree in small kids' zone removed only shade source)
Water: Maybe? (there's a spaceship-like structure with a drain surrounded by cement walls, but no obvious spray nozzle visible)
Other: grassy park, rec center, basketball, tennis, baseball (near and far off), football, concession stand, mural (from era preceding Mural Arts Program)
Access: open access, so presumably dawn to dusk

Impressions: Great setting in a large open space with long vistas and broad expanses of grass, nice equipment in good shape, little trash.  Good for a range of ages, maybe in combination with a picnic.  Clearly lots of athletic league and activities here, probably a big neighborhood draw, worth a stop if you're in the area.

Overall rating: 8

A snack in the near Northeast: Russo playground

Playground: Russo playground (in Tacony Park)
Location: Intersection of Torresdale and Cottman (SE corner)
Date visited: 10/6/12

Equipment: Several pieces tumbled together in a flowing zone:

1. A giant rope climbing web (very widespread -- our nearly-5-year-old couldn't master it)
2. A standard playset with two medium plastic slides, a curved stretch of monkey bars, a tall curved plastic slide, high hanging bar, etc.
3. A smaller super-modern playset with high wide arches and various lower ropes to climb, a medium plastic slide, a lower curved hanging bars, and chimes
4. A plastic climbing rock
5. Two bucket and four strap swings
6. A freestanding water sprayer (shaped like a huge crayon) with multidirectional sprayers
7. A "memorial tot lot" that didn't seem to be anything

Ages: 1-12
Surface: rubbery
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y
Other: Rec center with covered area, grassy areas, ball fields, chess tables, tennis, long paved paths through park
Access: not marked (dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: A fun and colorful play space tucked into the corner of otherwise busy roads, and which serves as the entry to grassy and wooded areas behind. Very well designed to squeeze a range of challenges into a small space, using a mix of traditional and "adventure" equipment. New plantings promise shade someday, but meantime worth a visit on a cooler day, with almost any age.
Overall rating: 8+

A nice park with a minimal play space: Connell Park

Playground: Connell Park playground
Location: near the center of the open park, between 64th and 65th, Elmwood and Gray's
Date visited: 9/14/12

Equipment: Two playsets:

• Lower has 2 straight plastic slides (about 3-foot tall) and one tall metal slide, a solid bridge, and misc. climbing
• Higher has a straight metal and a spiral plastic slide, a fireman's pole, and a stretch of monkey bars. That's it.

Also, 2 bucket and 2 strap swings
Ages: 2-9
Surface: rubbery around equipment; grass and blacktop elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 2
Water: N
Other: basketball, lots of grass, some extra blacktop, recreation building (with "4 million books project" mural)
Access: (not posted = dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: This open grassy park is inviting on a warm afternoon, and groups of folks from the neighborhood bring lawn chairs over to enjoy the space. Enough space for frisbee or to toss a ball. Play equipment is adequate but unremarkable. A large fallen branch and some loose trash need removing, and there is broken glass in spots. (A trash can would help.) Ok if you're passing by.
Overall rating: 5-6

61st & Baltimore Play Area: Cute park on the fringes of Cobbs Creek

Playground: Cobbs Creek 61st and Baltimore Play Area (yes, that's its official name!)
Location: Baltimore and 61st (not many parking spots here, but can turn N on 61th and park there)
Date visited: 11/11/12

Equipment:

• Tall playset with platforms, arched bridge, 4 ladders (including one habitrail-style), 3 metal slides (short, medium-wide, spiral), shop counter, ground-high benches, crawl-through circle
• Free-standing clamber, sort of like monkey bars in a circle
• 4 strap swings, 2 bucket swings
• Grasshopper rocker -- works nicely, appealing-looking

Ages: 1-7
Surface: rubbery wood chips
Shade(0-3): 2
Water: N
Other: basketball court (maybe lit), park w/grills and picnic tables, Caribbean restaurant w/water ice across the street, trolley turnaround for vehicle-ogling entertainment, car wash
Access: 24/7

Impressions: Nice smallish park on busy avenue and end of Cobbs Creek Park.  Equipment in good shape.  Not super extensive but enough to entertain for 15-30 minutes
Overall rating: 7

Angora Park -- mini-playground in a great SW Philly setting

Playground: Angora Park
Location: Baltimore & 57th & Washington (it's a skinny triangular park)
Date visited: 11/11/12

Equipment: one platform-style playset for small kids, containing 2 straight metal slides, a straight ladder, a ladder made of steps, and a pair of megaphones (which actually work!)

Ages: 1-3
Surface: rubberized
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: N
Other: lovely park, a Kentucky Fried Chicken
Access: 24/7

Impressions: Great setting, but little to do.  It's only for small kids, and even for them, there's only enough here for a short amount of entertainment.  But if you're looking for a nice place to picnic and hang out, and briefly visit some play equipment, this is your place.
Overall rating: 5 (for its quality, but in terms of quantity or entertainment level for a breadth of ages, this is lower)

Penn Treaty Park -- a unique riverside locale

Playground: Penn Treaty Park

Location: Beach St., just off Delaware Ave. at Marlborough (has its own parking lot)

Date visited: Feb. 26, 2012

Equipment:

• 1 playset loosely modeled on a train engine, with slanted "cow-catcher" ladders, a crawl-through tunnel, 1 wide straight slide that ends too far off the ground, 1 curved slide
• 4 strap swings, 4 bucket swings
• narrow curved balance beam

Ages: 1-6

Surface: wood chips and dirt

Shade(0-3): 3

Water: N

Other: riverside park, paved trails, grass, picnic tables, views of city, river (and, ahem, gigantic abandoned Peco plant)

Access: No gates or fences, presumably officially closed after dark

Impressions: A nice area for a visit -- views of the river, Ben Franklin Bridge, and city skyline add to the grassy city park. Play area is limited and graffitied but otherwise in good shape and surrounded by mature tress that promise a respite in hot weather. Uniqueness of the setting should make up for the mild limitation in the equipment, at least if your kid is up for some inventive outdoor play.

Overall rating: 6 (as a playground, higher as a setting)

Cute neighborhood square: Nichols Park playground

Playground: Nichols Park playground
Location: Race between 55th and Conestoga
Date visited: 12/31/11

Equipment: Two playsets in a single zone:

• Lower playset has some climbing, 2 plastic and 1 metal slide, and a solid bridge
  
• Higher playset has misc. climbing (including a disk ladder, metal rope net), 2 low straight slides and 1 medium bumpy one (all plastic), and a very tall (9-foot?) spiral plastic slide; also a playhouse/store window underneath

Ages:1-8
Surface: rubbery/blacktop (& grass)
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: N
Other: sm. picnic tables, bandstand, extra blacktop with painted games, grassy areas
Access: open park

Impressions: Cute little neighborhood park has a decent mix of play equipment, although a little worn, but nothing really for older kids (e.g., no strap swings or monkey bars). Grassy areas add to the appeal, but there's not enough here to draw visitors from any distance.
Overall rating: 6

Fairhill Square: smallish playground in a nice park

Playground: Fairhill Square
Location: Huntingdon between 4th & 5th
Date visited: Nov. 20, 2011

Equipment:

• Small broad playset with lots of climbing, 1 short metal slide
• Higher playset w/climbing, solid bridge, stretch of monkey bars, and 4 slides (1 tall, 2 medium, and 1 lower)
• 4 strap and 2 bucket swings
  

Ages: 1-8
Surface: rubbery, surrounded by cement and grass
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: N
Other: large park with older trees and lots of space (when visited, all but the playground was fenced off for some renovation project); nearby elementary school, which presumably may use the park at times.
Access: open park (dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: Nice-looking but under-inspired group of equipment offers little for the very youngest or oldest kids, but it perfectly fine for medium kids to blow off a little steam. In pretty decent shape -- some graffiti, no trash, when visited.
Overall rating: 6 (may be improved by the return of large grassy areas...)

McPherson Square: grassy park with a small playset

Playground: McPherson Square

Location: Large block-sized park, bounded by E,F on East and West, Clearfield and Indiana North and South

Date visited: 10/1/11

Equipment: 1 small playset in a larger grassy park -- compact but decent: 1 small surved and 1 tall bumpy slide (both plastic), climbing wall (tilted), chain rope net

Ages: 1-7

Surface: rubbery by equipment, surrounded by grass

Shade(0-3): 0

Water: N

Other:some nice trees (away from equipment), library building in center of park, el tracks nearby

Access: (not posted)

Impressions: Too minimal for any sort of trip, but could make a fun "snack" if you were visiting the library branch or doing other business in the area

Overall rating: 7 (for quality), though significantly smaller than average sized

A small playspace in a rolling park: Gorgas tot lot

Playground: Gorgas Park tot lot
Location: Ridge Ave. at Gates St.
Date visited: 10/16/11

Equipment: A low (1-foot) brick wall surrounds the whole play area (with a tree in the center), which includes:

1. A lower playset with a wide metal slide, climbable "shop window," and tic tac toe-style spinners (6x5).
   
2. A higher playset with three metal slides (a tall single, medium double, and a low double), miscellaneous climbing, fireman's pole, and play stuff underneath (benches, double bus wheel, tic tac toe).
   
3. Swingset, with 2 bucket and 2 strap swings.

material: modern resin + metal; scale: small
Ages: 1-8
Surface: rubbery inside play area
Shade(0-3): 3
Water: N
Other: picnic table, large park with lots of grass and trees, bandstand
Access: open (dawn to dusk+)

Impressions: Simple playground in an inviting park setting with rolling hills and lots of mature trees. More for the younger set (no monkey bars or greater challenges), but great for a family picnic or to hear a regional band play. Great shade and breeze for a hot day (although a bit brisk at the time of our fall visit).
Overall rating: 7

A local Northwest favorite: Cloverly Park

Playground: Cloverly Park
Location: Wissahickon at School House Lane
Date visited: 9/3/11

Equipment: Several pieces in a quadrant of the park:

• Swings: 4 bucket (well shaded) and 4 strap
  
• A stegosaurus playset for tots, comprising 2 straight plastic slides, misc. easier climbing, and playspace/tunnels underneath
  
• A larger playset has a long curved stretch of monkey bars, a zip line, two medium bumpy and one high curved slides (all plastic), a "bottomless" rail slide, and good climbing
  
• A little toddler-sized table and chairs, not permanent but clearly long-time residents, were right nearby

material: modern resin/metal; scale: medium space
Ages: 1-12
Surface: woodchips around equipment; grass elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 2
Water: N
Other: picnic table, large grassy area, mature trees (some of which seem climbable by older kids)
Access: open park (dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: Small, well-kept neighborhood park with lots of soft grass and a mix of beautiful mature trees (some of which sparked our climbing urges, to no avail) and scattered flower gardens. Deceptively simple equipment is in fact well chosen, with offerings for a range of ages. A good place for a picnic and/or a leisurely afternoon...
Overall rating: 8-9

A pleasant gateway to the Park: Mander playground

Playground: Mander Playground
Location: on 33rd at Diamond
Date visited: 8/6/11

Equipment: Three main sections:

1. A playset with 4-5-foot platforms, misc. climbing, a straight metal slide, monkey bars, and a curved plastic slide. Also 4 strap swings in this area.


2. A pair of cement seals = crossed water sprayers.


3. A playset with 3-4-foot platforms, a solid bridge, lower climbing, and two metal slides (one low and curved and one straight and wide). Set of 4 bucket swings here (1 missing).

material: modern resin/metal; scale: large space
Ages: 1-6
Surface: rubbery around equipment; blacktop elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: Y
Other: picnic tables, basketball court, large ball field (baseball and soccer), muraled rec. center, tennis, pool (full at visit), extra blacktop... transitions into the fields of Fairmount Park.
Access: no gates (presumably dawn to dusk)

Impressions: Large playground connected to an extensive park recreation zone (that shades into the fields of Fairmount Park). Colorful and busy, but the playsets are pretty low and lacking in challenges/fun for older kids (other than one stretch of monkey bars). Easy to combine with the pool, a picnic, or any other Park-friendly activity.
Overall rating: 7

Well-intentioned but poorly upkept: Norris Square Park playground

Playground: Norris Square Park
Location: Park is a full city block between Hancock and Howard, Diamond and Susquehanna; playground is in the middle.
Date visited: 6/18/11

Equipment: Two swingsets, with a total of four strap and four bucket swings. Additionally two playsets close together:

1. A large play structure with lots of climbing, curved and spiral plastic slides, one solid and one jointed bridge, monkey bars (both straight and a curved stretch of hanging rings that make up another set), a zip line (with no pully/ring), and a chain "rope net" for climbing. Also benches, store window, and other stuff for littler kids underneath.


2. Lower playset that is just steps up to a platform (!) -- slide or something else is gone and boarded over.

material: weathered "modern resin and metal"; scale of space: medium in larger park
Ages: 2-10
Surface: rubbery around equipment; blacktop elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: N
Other: lots of grassy areas, some blacktop area (good for skateboards or bikes), low/broad circular bench around play area looks fun to walk along, gazebo area with stone picnic tables, cheerfully muralled shed; basketball across park
Access: open (= dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: Well-designed but brutally worn playground in the (shadeless) center of a grassy park that offers pleasant shade but quite a bit of trash and graffitti. The equipment could use some love, especially additions to the smaller structure to give it some purpose and make the place more welcoming to younger visitors. Good for climbers, but feels a little bleak.
Overall rating: 6

(The other) Smith Playground: big park, standard playground

Playground: Smith playground

Location: 24th & Snyder

Date visited: May 7, 2011

Equipment: 2 play areas; younger-kid area has entry by steps and platforms, coil ladder, quarter-circle ladder, pair of small side-by-side slides, bigger slide, bridge, plus, a real see-saw!; bigger-kid area has 2 ladders (one quarter circle), 2 slides (one spiral), pole, monkey bars, 2 free-standing ladder poles

Ages:1-8

Surface: rubberized around play areas

Shade(0-3): 2

Water: Yes -- sprayground adjacent to playground (not open when visited)

Other: 2 basketball courts, large sports fields, large park, rec center

Access: 24/7 (in a public park)

Impressions: Not extensive, but standard equipment is in good shape and setting is pleasant (though there's a fair amount of trash and glass a bit away from the play areas). Too bad there are no swings....

Overall rating: 7

Wharton Square: Simple playground in a nice park setting

Playground: Wharton Square
Location: 23rd and Wharton
Date visited: May 7, 2011

Equipment: 2 small play areas; younger-kid play area has platforms for climbing, quarter-circle ladder, 3 slides (1 metal), 4 bucket swings; bigger-kid play area has 2 ladders, 2 slides (1 spiral), climbing pole, monkey bars, 2 strap swings (should have been 4 -- 2 were missing)
Ages: 18 months-8 yrs
Surface: rubberized around play areas
Shade(0-3): 2
Water: No
Other: Rec center, basketball court
Access: 24/7 (in a public park)

Impressions: Minimal amount of apparatus, but in reasonable shape, in a nice setting
Overall rating: 6

A small playground in an inviting setting: Clivedon Park

Playground: Clivedon Park
Location: Chew & Johnson (SW corner)
Date visited: 1/1/11

Equipment: One playset with two platforms: one around 2 feet hight with some climbing and a double plastic slide, the other around 5 feet high with a ladder, straight and spiral metal slides, and fireman's pole. The two platforms are connected by a stretch of ladder-bottomed bridge, so parents will have to hoist tots who want to try the taller slides; under the set there's a small loop for crawling through. Swings nearby (2 strap and 2 bucket).
material: modern resin & metal; scale: med. playset in large park
Ages: 1-8?
Surface: rubbery around equipment; grass elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 2
Water: N
Other: park
Access: open (dawn - dusk?)

Impressions: Not bad for a small playground (although the gap between the playsets makes it hard for 2-4 year olds to take full advantage), but the bigger draw here is the shady tree-filled park with its many hills for running and climbing (or, in the case of our winter visit, carrying snow from here to there).
Overall rating: 7

A welcome retreat in West Philly: Clark Park playground

Playground: Clark Park
Location: 43rd & Chester (1 block south of Baltimore), SW corner
Date visited: 7/28/10 (late afternoon)

Equipment: Two zones within a few yards of each other:

• Tot lot (marked 2-5 years) has two playsets: (1) good-sized standard playset, with two slides (both metal), a narrow solid bridge/walkway that would give toddlers a safe thrill of adventure, unusual kinds of climbing options, and under-set play zones (a crawl-through hole, "shop window," etc.); (2) a smaller, lower, dinosaur-shaped piece with low steps and climbing and two smaller (plastic) slides, as well as a crawl space/fort underneath. There are also 4 bucket swings in this zone.
  
  
• Older kid area is also multi-level, with a range of challenges including 3 slides of different heights (all metal, 4-7 ft), a rope climbing net, a ring-based monkeybar stretch, a solid bridge, and a variety of spaces underneath (hole, bench, window, etc.). Also 3 strap swings and one chair swing in this zone.

material: modern resin & metal, plus rope wall; scale: large play area in extensive park.
Ages: 1-10 (12?)
Surface: rubbery throughout play areas
Shade(0-3): 2+
Water: N
Other: big grassy park with paths, picnic and play areas, basketball court, low stone wall; water ice cart and 2 semi-permanent porta-potties present on day of visit; occasional theatrical and musical events in the evenings
Access: unfenced

Impressions: A cheerful and neighborhoody playground, busy but not crowded, with colorful equipment in a pleasant open park full of mature trees -- the presence of additional green areas across the streets to east (a garden) and north (more park, including a cement climbing turtle) increase the feeling of expansiveness here. The equipment seems very well designed for a range of ages, and includes types of climbing in both zones that we hadn't seen before. Great for families with kids of many ages, and for combining play with a picnic or trip to a nearby cafe (I glimpsed patio tables a little farther up 43rd). Also happily multiethnic. Worth a trip!
Overall rating: 9