Barrett/Lindley playground: nice spot in North Philly for the smaller kids especially

Playground: Barrett Playground (according to sign onsite; Google map calls it Lindley playground)
Location: 8th and Duncannon (location of playground; large field is on Lindley, at 7th)
Date visited: Jun 17, 2013

Equipment:

• Small kids' zone (fenced in, shady) has a cement turtle (can climb on or under), 4 bucket swings and a small playset with a jointed bridge and three plastic slides (2 straight, 1 curved)
• Bigger playset has 3 tall straight slides (2 plastic, 1 metal), 1 spiral plastic slide, monkey bars, and a fireman's pole
• 4 strap swings near bigger playset
• freestanding "totem pole" water sprayer, surrounded by a cement circle

Ages: 1-11
Surface: rubbery, though dried out/hardened in spots
Shade(0-3): 1 (some in small-kids zone, none in big-kids zone)
Water: Y (see above)
Other: chess tables, extra blacktop, tennis courts, large football field (plus multiple baseball, though seemed largely unused), basketball, small rec center
Access: fenced in, but not sure about hours, presumably standard rec center hours

Impressions: Nice spot for little kids, with a deeply shady protected corner of the park.  Decent offering for older kids, but the equipment gets no shade from the many trees (although the swings do) and the raggedy ground surfaces and occasional trash and graffiti detract a bit from the experience.  Basically fine, with a relatively quiet residential setting, but not a draw from any distance

Overall rating: 7

A second visit: A new face for Francisville playground

Playground: Francisville Rec. Center playground
Location: Wiley, close to 19th and Brown (rec space fills most of block) -- there are many entrance gates
Date visited: 7/27/13
Equipment: Three distinguishable zones:

1. One structure here has lower platforms, two plastic slides (one curved and one bumpy), one tall metal slide, and misc. climbing including a rope net. There's also a medium-sized playset with two metal slides (one wide and one narrow, both straight), climbing, and a shop window and bench underneath. There are two bucket and four strap swings nearby.
2. There's an updated water zone with a cute central palm tree and a ring of pavement sprayers. (We didn't see this in action.)
3. This zone has a lone playset with one metal slide (left from before the update?) and a lot of fun games painted on the ground (incl. hopscotch and a maze race) and a low brick wall.

material: modern resin/metal; scale: large
Ages: 1-8ish
Surface: colorful rubbery around equipment; blacktop elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: Y
Other: basketball, playing fields, colorfully painted rec building, pool
Access: 9:00AM-10:30PM (summer); 2:00pm-10:30pm (winter)

Impressions: We went back to this playground (review from 2009 here) after a tip that it had had a facelift. It is indeed more colorful and inviting, and equipment is fresh and functional (as reflected in our improved rating). However, there is still nothing to challenge older kids (e.g., monkey bars or spinners) or really make this a top draw for those from other parts of town. Still, nice trees could shade a picnic for a longer day, and with both a sprayground and a pool, this playground worth considering for hot summer afternoons.
Overall rating: 7-8

A playspace in the gap between Temple and Girard colleges: M. L. King Rec Center

Playground: King playground
Location: On Cecil B. Moore Ave between 21st and 22nd
Date visited: 7/27/13

Equipment: One zone with several components:

• A tall playset with two tall plastic slides (bumpy and spiral), a jointed bridge, etc. There are 4 strap swings nearby.
• A smaller playset with a straight metal and a curved plastic slide, solid bridge, tic tac toe animals, etc. There are two bucket swings nearby.
• A water zone = a cement circle with a pole that mists in all directions.
• Not official play equipment, but inviting: a long series of low walls to walk along.

material: modern resin + metal; scale of space: med/large
Ages: 1-8
Surface: rubbery/blacktop
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y
Other: picnic tables (one missing its top), basketball, another fenced cement area (handball? hockey?), ball fields (baseball and football), swimming pool, extra grass, large rec center (partially serving as an adult/seniors building)
Access: dawn to dusk?

Impressions: Perfectly adequate equipment for neighborhood play, but nothing to go out of your way for (unless you plan to swim). Nice grassy fields for a ball or frisbee break.
Overall rating: 6

Ramp: upscale playground and athletic area in the shadow of Father Judge HS

Playground: Ramp
Location: Solly Ave. (at Rowland)
Date visited: 5/12/13

Equipment:

• bigger playset: tall straight and spiral slides (metal), fireman's pole, solid bridge, lots of climbing, arched monkey bars, tall and short hanging bars
• small playset: low curved and tall wavy (mogul) slides (plastic), solid bridge, climbing, tic-tac-toe galore
• six strap and two bucket slides

Ages: 1.5-11
Surface: rubbery/blacktop
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: Y (single pole)
Other: fancy baseball (little league, and used by Father Judge HS), basketball, rec center with covered area, hockey court, extra grassy areas
Access: M-F 1-9 PM, Sa Su 9 AM-5 PM

Impressions: Busy and cheerful playground surrounded by a range of well-maintained athletic space.  Decently designed for a range of ages (although no particular novelties) and shaded grass areas invite a picnic
Overall rating: 8

Pelbano: NE playground not quite up to the level of its partner rec center

Playground: Pelbano
Location: Bustleton Ave. (at Stanwood)
Date visited: 5/12/13

Equipment:

• big playset: high wavy plastic slide, low double straight plastic slide, bus wheels, monkey bar spinners, miscellaneous climbing, broken game underneath, broken swing toy (?)
• small playset: five plastic slides (two straight, two curved, one bumpy)
• two strap swings, two bucket swings  

Ages: 1-8
Surface: rubbery
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y (single sprayer)
Other: rec center (basketball inside), basketball court, baseball field, extra grass, paved walks for skating, etc., extra blacktop, tennis courts (no nets)

Impressions: Large and well-kept (or new) rec center and extensive athletic space is appealing, but the play equipment offers little to challenge or even interest kids over about 3.  A couple broken pieces, in conjunction with missing basketball and tennis nets could indicate neglect or just that things weren't yet brought online for the season when visited in mid-May.  Popularity of strap swings indicates another pair would be justified.
Overall rating: 6

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+

Another nice spread in the Far Northeast: Fitzpatrick Playground

Playground: Fitzpatrick playground
Location: Academy (just west of Torrey)
Date visited: 10/6/12

Equipment: Three zones, pretty close together, as well as a set of swings (4 bucket and 4 strap):

1. Play jeep for "driving" and climbing, along with a three-seat hobby-horse-teeter-totter
2. The larger playset (marked 5-12) includes a rubber rope climbing tube, tall straight metal and curved plastic slides, a solid bridge, a curved strand of high monkey bars, and tic tac toe underneath
3. Smaller playset (marked 2-5) has a solid bridge, wide metal and curved plastic slides, misc. climbing (including toddler-friendly "barrel stave" type), and tic tac toe

Additionally, there's an arched pipe that appears to be a water element (drain underneath, etc.) but not on at time of visit.
material: modern resin + metal, scale: medium
Ages: 1-10
Surface: rubbery around equipment; cement elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y
Other: picnic tables, small rec. center, basketball, hockey (?) rink, parking lot, large grassy (soccer) field, wooded park across street
Access: 6am-10pm

Impressions: Relatively new-looking playground offers a nice mix of equipment and pleasant plantings against the backdrop of busy Academy Road (and occasional passing of small planes to/from North Philadelphia Airport). Looks like it abus a highschool, which could make for a busy feel on weekdays, but peaceful (if shadeless) on our fall weekend afternoon. Not sure who, if anyone, lives near this site...
Overall rating: 7

A gem in the Far Northeast: Junod playground

Playground: Junod playground
Location: Dunks Ferry Road just west of Lester
Date visited: 10/16/12

Equipment: An assembly of many types of modern play equipment into several loose zones:

• Two stone elephants are left from an earlier era (used to be sprayers, but no drain now, so just for climbing), out in front of the rec. center. The rest of the playground is to the left/behind the building.
• Lower playset (under the trees) has low monkeybars, rope net climbing, binoculars and megaphone
• Medium playset includes a climbing wall, med. metal slide (steep!), a low bench underneath, standing (angled) spinners, and climbing
• There's a large set of swings including 4 bucket and 6 strap swings
• One grouping is two freestanding spinning cups and a three-person hobby-totter
• Large playset has an angled balance board/climber, vertical rope array with climbing and sitting nodes, rope-ish monkey bars, a harder climbing wall
• A large and festive water sprayground includes poles that spray many directions, arches that spray inward (to run through), and a tall palm tree

material: mostly modern rope-and-metal adventure style; scale of space: medium
Ages: 2-12
Surface: rubbery around equipment; cement or grass elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: Y
Other: recreation center, grassy areas, tennis, soccer (tons), basketball, extra blacktop
Access: 6am-10pm posted

Impressions: This inventive and colorful playground takes the play innovations seen at Franklin Square and Herron Park, but includes water, swings, and enough grass to support picnics and frisbee galore. No shade on most of the playspace is a drawback, but benches aplenty for weary caretakers. Worth a visit, especially with older kids who are jaded on the challenges of more typical playgrounds -- they won't run out!
Overall rating: 10

Small playground in a large rec space -- Water Tower/Houston playground(s)

Playground: Water Tower Playground @ Harry Howard Houston Woodward Recreation Center
Location: Ardleigh Street at E. Hartwell Lane
Date visited: 3/2/13

Equipment: Two zones, on opposite sides of large building:

• The smaller zone (on the rec. center entrance side) has a free-standing "firetruck" jungle gym, a sand box, a small but fun old cement climbing shape, a playset with low slides (straight and curved plastic) and a jointed bridge, 4 bucket swings, and stretches of curved bench to walk along
  
• Larger-kid zone (on far side, where the water tower is in sight, near baseball field) has one main playset with tall straight and medium curvey and bumpy slides (all plastic), monkey bars, a solid bridge, and misc. climbing. Also in this area is a water zone consisting of a 5-foot stone wall with several sprayers (and a pleasant porous plastic footing).

material: modern resin/metal; scale: medium
Ages: 0-7
Surface: rubbery, sand
Shade(0-3): 3
Water: Y
Other: picnic tables, baseball field, large rec. center, basketball court, grassy areas, lots of tennis, some blacktop
Access: not marked (dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: Pretty fine conventional playground, but with less to interest of challenge school-age kids. Great overall recreational space, so good for combining a short clamber with running around in a big field, say...
Overall rating: 7

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

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

Fun for the younger set: Frank Glavin playground

Playground: Frank Glavin
Location: On Westmoreland between Almond and Mercer
Date visited: 8/12/12

Equipment: Two zones:

• The smaller kid zone has (a) two very low "space pods" connected by a solid bridge/tunnel; (b) a low playset including straight metal and curved plastic slides, 3-foot platforms, miscellaneous climbing (including the beginner-friendly "barrel stave" style), and a store front underneath; and (c) four bucket swings. Also in this area are a pair of seals that look like they should be water sprayers, although they were not on during our visit (1:30pm on Saturday).
• Bigger kid zone has a taller playset with a straight metal slide, curved monkey bars, and lots of climbing. Also six strap swings in this area.

Ages: 1-10
Surface: rubbery around equipment; blacktop elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y?
Other: basketball, extra blacktop with painted games, rec. center
Access: 6am-10pm

Impressions: Friendly neighborhood playground offers decent equipment for a range of ages, although in practice it will appeal most to the younger set (say, 2-6) due to the enticing options in the smaller zone. Hot on a summer sunny day with no shade and metal slides, but could be fun with the water turned on...
Pro: Both the Mercer Cafe and the Aramingo Diner are close by for brunch/lunchtime options.
Overall rating: 7

An extensive resource in the far West: Granahan playground

Playground: Granahan Playground
Location: Callowhill St. @ 65th and Daggett
Date visited: 5/19/12

Equipment:

• Small-kids' playset with miscellaneous climbing, a single small platform, and a double straight metal slide
• Huge big-kids' playset with three bridges (one solid straight, one solid curved, one jointed), five metal slides (3 low & straight, 2 high and spiral), monkey bars, metal "rope net", low hanging rings, balance platform, fireman's pole, lots of ladder types (including several "submarine style" into center of platform
• Swings (4 buckets and space for 4 strap swings, though none present)
• Single-pole water sprayer

Ages: 1-12
Surface: rubbery/blacktop
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y
Other: basketball court with no hoops, roller hockey rink with lots of missing boards, rec center building
Access: probably standard rec center hours

Impressions: The large playset here is pretty neat, especially for climbers who like new challenges and for groups to make up games around, but the rec space as a whole is embarrassingly in need of repair or revitalization, which makes it seem less nice than it might be...
Overall rating: 6-7

Shade for a hot day: Myers Rec. Center fields

Playground: Francis Myers Recreation Center (and Youth Access Center)
Location: 58th and Kingsessing (NW corner)
Date visited: 4/28/12

Equipment: Several pieces:

1. Low playset has a solid bridge, easy climbing, and two low metal slides. The bench is a low wall that looks fun to walk too.
2. High playset has miscellaneous climbing (including a larger version of barrel staves), medium and tall metal slides (4 & 6 ft), fireman's pole, and a stretch of monkey bars.
3. Two older arched climbing ladders
4. Four strap swings
5. On the other side of a low wall is a water zone: a single central pole that appears to have nozzles pointing in all directions. (off at time of visit)

material: modern coated metal; scale: medium
Ages: 1.5-11
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: Y
Other: pool (fenced, with own hours), large expanses of grassy field, baseball diamond, basketball courts, tennis courts (with no nets), beautifully muraled rec. center
Access: (not posted; dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: Weathered but decent assortment of equipment for a range of ages. The real draw here is the big grassy field, which features a trio of mature sycamores perfect for a shady picnic; would combine well with the water sprayer for a hot summer day's fun!
Overall rating: 6 (playground)

Great play and sprayground options: Shepard Rec. Center

Playground: Shepard Rec. Center
Location: 57th at Westminster (just south of Haverford)
Date visited: 12/31/11

Equipment: Three zones in sight of one another:

1. New-looking sprayground (fenced) with large colorful towers; looks like several sources of spray
   
   
2. Smaller kid playground area includes (a) 2 hobby horses (zebra and dolphin) that actually rocked (!); (b) a new-looking playset: climbing wall, barrel stave climbing, hanging bar, low (5-ft) monkey bars, solid bridge, crawl-through mesh tunnel, three straight metal slides, and misc. climbing; (c) 4 bucket swings.
   
   
3. Higher playset has novel types of challenging climbing (a twisting ladder, another that I can't describe!), 2 high straight metal slides and 1 wavy plastic one, a fire pole, solid bridge, straight (6-foot) monkey bars, and more. Also 4 strap swings here, although 2 broken.

material: modern; scale: large
Ages: 1-12
Surface: rubbery around equipment; cement and grass elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: Y!
Other: pool, baseball field, tennis, basketball, large grassy area, picnic tables (including some covered), large rec. building
Access: not posted (dawn to dusk?)

Impressions: Recently renovated and inviting playground offers a great range of options for all ages, from crawlers to more advanced scramblers, faced by houses on one side and a SEPTA bus garage on the other. Sprayground was off-season a our visit, but looks intriguing and made us want to come back. Shaded picnic tables and expanses of grass make this a good option for a longer family outing, and young trees offer promise of increasing shade over the play equipment. Worth a visit!
Overall rating: 9

Torresdale Playground: an open playspace

Playground: Torresdale Playground
Location: Leon Street (near intersection of Frankford and Grant); parking lot is shared with the golf club across the street
Date visited: 10/8/11

Equipment: Three major zones on opposite sides of the rec building:

1. Little arches of brick wall separate two tot play areas:
   • Low modern playset with 2-3-foot platforms, 3 straight plastic slides, a fireman's pole, and 4 bucket swings nearby
     
   • Second zone has old-style metal equipment pieces, including 3 arched climbing ladders (almost monkey bars), one radial 8-foot radial jungle gym, and a freestanding metal slide (3-4 foot) with its own steps
   
   
2. A large cement circle encloses a water zone, with several sprayers and low curved walls
   
   
3. The larger kid zone (far side of building) has two playsets:
   • Higher has misc. climbing, a curved stretch of monkey bars, tall (6-foot) metal slide, 1 strap swing (room for 2)
     
   • Lower playset has lower climbing, 4-foot metal slide, and fireman's pole

Ages: 1.5-10
Surface: rubbery around equipment; cement and grass elsewhere
Shade(0-3): 1
Water: Y
Other: lots of grass, baseball, basketball, tennis, rec. center with covered area in front (also nearby golf course)
Access: 6am-10pm (not fenced)

Impressions: Not cutting edge or unusual, but the mix of spaces and equipment, combined with the expanse of inviting grass and large trees, is appealing. Reasonable range of ages covered, although it would be hard to keep younger and older kids in sight at the same time. Would make a fun afternoon outing, with picnic (and maybe a bathing suit in midsummer) -- we had some good running-around silliness to complement our explorations of the play equipment.
Overall rating: 7

Fun but a little exposed: Gathers Rec. Center playground

Playground: Hank Gathers, Jr., playground
Location: Diamond at Glenwood (near 25th)
Date visited: 8/6/11

Equipment: One zone containing several pieces:

• The lower playset is very low, with a wide straight and a curved plastic slide, tic-tac-toe


• The higher playset has 4-6-foot platforms, a long straight metal slide, misc. climbing, and a fireman's pole.


• 4 bucket and 4 strap swings


• A water sprayer zone (single tall pole, not on at visit)

material: modern resin/metal; scale: medium space
Ages: 1-8
Surface: rubbery/blacktop
Shade(0-3): 0
Water: Y
Other: basketball, grassy areas, pool, ball field, blacktop, rec. center
Access: not posted

Impressions: Decent set of offerings in a pleasant setting, but very short on shade; some recently planted trees may help in a few years (if they get enough water to get established). Equipment is weathered but not graffittied or broken. Good for a range of ages, but not best callenges for the older set. Note: water ice and ribs both available across the street!
Overall rating: 7

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

Piccoli: Nice Juniata playground with a wading pool bonus

Playground: Piccoli

Location: Cayuga St. and Castor Ave.

Date visited: 8/4/11

Equipment:

• Little-kid play area in its own fenced-in area. Includes smallish platform-style playset with steps and 2 ladders (including a bigger-than-average quarter-barrel), "spaceship" with central ladder entry, free-standing tall metal turning slide that gave a particularly good ride, a bucket swing (1 missing), and 2 non-functioning "hobby horses" (too stiff)
• Bigger-kid play area (smallish): platform-style with 3 ladders, 2 slides (metal straight, plastic turning-style), and a set of monkey bars. Nearby are 8 (!) strap swings
• In between the two play areas is a large sprinkler/6-inch-deep wading pool (20-foot wide pool with a central sprinkler pole and one seal sprayer on the edge (another was broken)).

Ages:1-1/2 to 8 years

Surface: rubberized (worn) around play areas

Shade(0-3): 0

Water: Y (sprinkler/wading pool)

Other: Rec center, pool, baseball field

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

Impressions: Nice spread-out zone, and the wading pool is a big plus (though I might be biased by the fact that my daughter was super-into rollicking in shallow water on the day we visited). Equipment is a bit worn but fine -- nothing particularly novel, but good standard equipment (somewhat better offerings for smaller kids than bigger kids).

Overall rating: 7