Colorful but exposed: Palumbo playground

Playground: Palumbo
Location:10th & Fitzwater (usually enter through the rec center on 10th, but sometimes the gate on Fitzwater is open too)
Date visited: 8/26/09

Equipment: Two different structures in close proximity, one labelled "2-5" with stairs, a solid bridge, and two slides, the other labelled "5-8" has taller sections, longer slides (including a twisty one), and climbing bars. There are also two sets of swings (bucket and strap) and a spinning seat.
material: modern resin, but with metal slides; scale: small fenced space
Ages: 1-6?
Surface: spongy composite, but cut into tiles that are separating a bit
Shade(0-3): 0 (a little in late afternoon)
Water: N
Other: playing fields (softball? soccer?) nearby, rec center, bathrooms
Access: 1:30 - 10p in summer (the rec center is definitely closed in the mornings year 'round)

Impressions: The equipment here is colorful and enticing, and has some creative elements -- our toddler enjoys playing there. However, it feels really exposed to the sun in summer months, which means everybody and everything gets hot fast, and the space is tight enough that it can't handle a horde. Also, the hours are restricted and variable by season, although some daycare groups appear to have it figured out. On the plus side, the delightful Morning Glory Cafe is right across the street, which makes it well placed as a combination with late lunch.
Overall rating: 7

A colorful site: Hawthorne Cultural Center

Playground: Hawthorne
Location: 12th and Carpenter (entries on Carpenter)
Date visited: 8/8/09

Equipment: Two areas for slightly different ages:

• Smaller kids get two low and one medium slide, different types of steps, a motionless bridge; bucket swings are nearby.
  
• Larger kids get two slides, horizontal bars, strap swings nearby.

type: modern resin; scale: medium area
Ages: toddler - elementary
Surface: rubbery composite under equipment, tarmac elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 1 (mostly on benches and small swings)
Water: N
Other: basketball court, some tables, rec center, paved play space
Access: dawn to dusk (no gate)

Impressions: Decent but uninspired equipment. Cheery murals and a mosaic give the area character, but it doesn't feel like it would hold kids' atttention long (unless they were playing a ball-type game). The playground was clean when we visited, but there were bits of glass around grates and plates, which might mean parents should watch young explorers carefully. There was nobody here when we visited (on a Saturday afternoon) -- a symptom of August in South Philly? It's notable that the recreation center, while large and cheerful (including lots of glazed ceramic handprints from kids who were involved during its period of renovation), appears to have neither windows nor accessible doors...
Overall rating: 5