A pleasant respite: McCreesh Playground

Playground: McCreesh (?)
Location: 68th at Regent
Date visited: 9/14/12

Equipment: Long thin playspace with two main play zones and a water zone:

1. Larger playset has high and low metal slides, arched monkey bars, and a fireman's pole. Also 6 strap swings here.
2. The smaller playset has two medium metal slides. Also in this area is a double "space-pod" climbing structure with a connecting bridge, and 4 bucket swings.
3. Water zone = a single pole sprayer (many holes at various heights, but not on at the time of our visit) surrounded by cement.

material: modern; scale: medium
Ages: 1-10 (& skateboard zone)
Surface: rubbery; blacktop
Shade(0-3): 2
Water: Y
Other: basketball, skateboard park, grassy areas, ball fields, overview of train tracks, picnic tables, rec. center
Access: not closed (dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: The combination of a sunken skateboard park and a shaded play area give this park/recreation space a lot of appeal. It seems nicely maintained and is pleasantly sandwiched between a low-rise neighborhood and a woodsy stretch of track. Worth a stop if you're in the area (especially if skateboarders are practicing their tricks).
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