Things to do and watch: Carmella

Playground: Carmella
Location: Wakeling between Torresdale and Worth
Date visited: 9/1/12

Equipment: A couple of zones, within sight of each other:

• Smaller playset has two solid bridges, 2 straight and 1 spiral slide (all plastic), misc. climbing. There's also a firetruck-shaped climbing toy with a small metal slide and miniature monkey bars.
• The bigger playset has several tube ladders, multilevel platforms, a winding stretch of monkey bars, a wide straight metal slide, spiral plastic slide, and a "bottomless" bar slide (slightly out of shape). Also a set of swings here, 4 bucket and 4 strap.
• A colorful circle contains several large metal elephants that spray water, on during our visit.

Ages: 1-9
Surface: rubbery/cement
Shade(0-3): 1 (small), 0 (large)
Water: Y
Other: large grassy field (probably several baseball and football grids), basketball, rec. center, skateboard park
Access: open (dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: Nice large open space, if not super-aesthetic. Skate-park (watchable from the shade) and elephant sprayers are particularly nice bonuses. Equipment not in super shape (anti-graffitti blue), but a nice range of offerings.
Overall rating: 7

All the bells and whistles: Gambrel recreation complex

Playground: Billy Gambrel playground
Location: Jackson just west of Wakeling
Date visited: 9/1/12

Equipment: One large playspace, but divisible into three recognizable zones:

1. Smaller playset has low monkeybars (woot!), miscellaneous climbing, and two medium straight and one taller straight slides (all metal). Also two bucket and four strap swings here, and a 4-seat hobbyhorse-style teeter-totter toy. Also two sets of (curved) hanging bars that spin.
2. Larger playset area has a standard-ish playset and a super-modern-looking section; every possible variant of challenging monkey bars is represented here -- single rings in long sequences, angled spinning horizontal rings, multiple tracks joining at rounded hubs... Also here are some wobbling hanging platforms (with poles) to step along, and a "balance beam" also mounted on springs, a chain "rope climbing net," and three tall metal slides (2 straight and one spiral).
3. Large modern sprayground with numerous sprayers coming from the ground around a group of elegant sculptural elements (that may or may not generate water themselves). There are hand switches here, but they didn't seem necessary for full activation when we were there.

Ages: 1-12 (+)
Surface: rubbery/cement
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y
Other: football field, baseball fields, basketball, rec. center, some extra grassy areas
Access: 6am-10pm?

Impressions: A welcoming and creative mix of play options for any age, but, rare among city playgrounds, really offering the best challenges for the 8-14 (?) set, with challenging balance and swinging ring zones, wobbly paths to walk, etc. The water came on while we were there (around noon on Saturday) and kept us longer than we otherwise would have stayed, given the lack of shade (despite an extensive pergola, which I guess needs plants). Some loose trash, but not enough to spoil the fun; lack of swings a notable exception to an otherwise fun mix of things. Overall, worth a trip.
Overall rating: 9-10

Simpson playground: Aesthetically appealing corner of Frankford, with particularly good play options for littler kids

Playground: Simpson

Location: Arrott St. at Northwood St. (near Castor Ave.)

Date visited: 8/4/11

Equipment:

• Playset for smaller kids (large): platform-style with a long bridge, 4 ladders, 2 slides. Also in the smaller-kid zone is a dolphin "hobby horse" that actually works (a rarity) and 4 bucket swings
• Playset for bigger kids (small): platform-style with steps, 3 ladders, a long metal slide, and a firepole. 2 strap swings nearby

Ages: 1-8

Surface: rubberized around play equipment

Shade(0-3): 1 (just a bit on the fringe of each zone)

Water: Sort of/maybe (there is a pool nearby, and also a sprinkler pole in the center of a 10-foot wide circular pool (6 inches deep) that was full when visited, but I couldn't tell if it was rainwater or from recent use, nor if the drain was just clogged)

Other: rec center, pool, basketball court, baseball field, park across the street

Access: rec center hours (9 AM-10:30 PM in summer, 2-10:30 PM otherwise)

Impressions: Very pleasant setting with the two play areas wrapped around the rec center, surrounded by other large open areas, especially the tree-filled park across the (fairly busy) street. Equipment is in decent shape (though some graffiti and wear to the rubberized ground-surface): nothing superlative, but a solid set of options, especially for little kids. Bigger kids might find the play options limited, but maybe they'd be in the pool while their smaller siblings took advantage of the playground?

Overall rating: 7 (probably an 8 for smaller kids)

Deni playground: Decent but minimal option in Frankford

Playground: Deni

Location: Leiper & Church (also an entrance on Leiper and Ruan)

Date visited: 8/4/11

Equipment:

• Playset for smaller kids (on the small side): platform-style, with 3 ladders and 2 slides
• Playset for bigger kids: platform-style, with 4 ladders and 1 metal slide (with many dents), plus a fire pole and a slightly slanted 6-foot climbing wall
• 2 bucket swings, 4 strap swings

Ages: 1-1/2 to 8 yrs

Surface: rubberized in playzones

Shade(0-3): 0

Water: No

Other: 6 basketball courts (with a sloped side), baseball field

Access: Unclear -- the whole zone is surrounded by high fences, with gates on two sides that could be locked. Didn't see posted hours -- was open at 10:30 AM on a summer Wednesday

Impressions: Playsets are on the minimal side, and showing some wear. The overall location is a fairly appealing open space, though more concrete than foliage (except for the baseball field). The basketball courts seem to have been refurbished fairly recently: new paint on the courts, nice lights for night play. The playground could use similar love.

Overall rating: 6