The Playgrounds of NYC - Dry Harbor Playground

The Dry Harbor playground is a playground stuck in a different time. It is more modern than the old aluminum slides and see saws that were the norm of playgrounds in the 1980s in NYC. But not caught up with the ultra modern playgrounds of today with their space aged polymyrs and rounded corners. But somehow it fits in perfectly in East Glendale. 

The playground is nestled between a basketball court, an asphalt ball field and the entrance to a hiking trail. It is spread out enough that it never gets too crowded even when local day care brings the kids over to play. 

My favorite part of this park is the two level boat, ironically dry docked in the center of the park. On the main deck there are two slides and a firemans pole, while below there is a shaded area with little tables, perfect for having a juice box and some goldfish, or strategizing a full on assult on the larger climbing area. 

There is also a pretty decent bagel place and pizzeria right across the street so that is a bonus. 

Water feature: Yes

Sand: no

Shade: around the edges

Bathroom: Yes

Things to do in Ridgewood with your kids: Dry Harbor Playground

The Greater Ridgewood Area in Queens is filled with parks and playgrounds which makes entertaining young kids in the 11385 really easy and fun.

Dry Harbor playground (part of Forest Park) is one of the gems. While its not very large it is surrounded by trees so there is plenty of shade for parents to keep cool while the little ones frolic.The playground which has two sets of swings (totally in the shade), also has two climbing structures including a pirate ship which is fitting for its nautical name. 

There is a splash area with several cement spheres that spray out water. Is it the most inspired water feature? No. But kids will get plenty wet on a sunny day. Just watch out if you are on the adjacent benches, a well aimed breeze will send a spray of water your way. 

The park which has bathrooms, is located on Myrtle Ave and 80th street and is easily accessed by the Q55 bus. 

The Parks of Summer 2014 - Andrews Grove

There is something to be said about parks in walking distance from your home. I think we have five in reasonable walking distance. But I've always enjoyed discovering new parks in different parts of town. 

The last time we saw Andrews Grove  park in Long Island City it had been freshly devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The large walnut trees that lined the back of the park had fallen down. Turning the jungle gyms into piles of twisted metal. The tree tops reaching the steel gates.

But now nearly three years later, Andrews Grove is back and a real gem in an area with a bunch of really nice parks.  The jungle gyms are rebuilt to resemble tree houses, which fit in great with the row of new trees that are growing behind them.

My favorite part of the park is the water feature, which is just three upright sprayers. But they are shaped like logs with giant squirrels perched on top of them. It's a small thing but gives the park character. It's not very big or flashy so it remains pretty quiet which is really nice on a lazy mid morning park excursion.

Shade - Lots of trees around the edges.
Water feature - Yes
Bathrooms - no
Sand - No.
Grass - No

The Parks of Summer 2014 -Poppenhausen Park

There is something to be said about parks in walking distance from your home. I think we have five in reasonable walking distance. But I've always enjoyed discovering new parks in different parts of town. 

Isn't it funny that children who hate showers love playing in the sprinklers. That isn't really specific to Poppenhausen Park in College Point.  But it was the case as we pulled up to this small park, known to us as being that park that is a few blocks away from one of our Target stores.

The park with the funny name has an awesome sprinkler right in the middle, nestled between two climbing areas. The sprinkler which sort if looks like a Vegas styled fountain shoots water in every direction, there are enough sprinkler heads so multiple kids can be stepping on them, but there would still be water everywhere.

One of the climbing areas was pretty standard. Lots of ways up; ladders, stairs, and climbing poles. And of course a bunch of slides. There was a lot of running room and was mostly in the shade while we were there.

The other one was more complicated. All climbing no slides. And considering that the kids were still a little soggy, it was safer to depend very little time there.

 Overall the park was quiet, all you heard was kids laughing, the water, birds chirping and the occasional ice cream truck. It wasn't crowded so that was a good thing.

A weird thing happened as we visited. The police were called about a woman who was getting too comfortable near children. She left when after the police spoke with her, but it's a reminder that we as parents always have to keep a vigilant eye on their kids.

Shade - Lots of trees around the edges.
Water feature - Yes
Bathrooms - yes
Sand - No.
Grass - Not really.

The Parks of Summer 2014 - Mafera Park - "the oval"

There is something to be said about parks in walking distance from your home. I think we have five in reasonable walking distance. But I've always enjoyed discovering new parks in different parts of town. 

If you have ever been a child (or had a child) in the Ridgewood/Glendale area of Queens, you have been to Mafera Park. But you probably knew it as The Oval or Farmers Oval.

I wouldn't call the oval the best park, but there are lots of options. In addition to the regular playground equipment, there is an asphalt field (perfect for bike rides), basketball and handball courts, a big grassy field and a hockey rink. My favorite, and my kids favorite part of the park are the sprinklers. Four spheres aiming at each other shooting water in a soaking spray. To be honest they look like four mini Death Stars. But shooting water at kids, instead of a death ray at Alderaan.

Grand Moff Tarkin: You're far too trusting. Dantooine is too remote to make an effective demonstration - but don't worry; we will deal with your rebel friends soon enough. 

The drawbacks of this park, are it can get crowded, very crowded, particularly during the summer when waves of kids from the YMCA (down the block) desend upon the park. And most of the play equipment is older, while still safe an upgrade to more modern stuff could breathe some life into this park.

I've lived in this area most of my life, this park has lots of good memories. I've played midnight basketball here with my friends as a teen. Played full 11 on 11 tackle football in the field ( which was mostly dirt back then) until everyone was covered in dust or someone was knocked unconscious. But in pretty sure I never saw a farmer there.

Shade - Lots of trees around the edges.
Water feature - Yes
Bathrooms - yes
Sand - No.
Grass - There is a large multi-sport field which is covered in grass and artificial turf.

The Parks of Summer 2014 - Joseph Devoy Playground

There is something to be said about parks in walking distance from your home. I think we have five in reasonable walking distance. But I've always enjoyed discovering new parks in different parts of town . 

Sometimes simplicity is the best thing. That is why the Joseph Devoy playground in Forest Park (71st and Union Turnpike) is not only one of my kids favorite parks but mine.

Is there a sandbox. No. Water feature. No. Bathroom. No. But what it does have is an element of nature, rolling hills and plenty of swings. Also the ice cream truck never stops by. Which is a good thing.

In the front of the park, which is right near a hiking/ horse trail, there are three climbers, each with increased difficulty, a set of swings and an old fashioned tire swing. As you go up you see baby safety swings and a giant tree house, with monkey bars.  It can be a store or a castle or a spaceship or some combination of all three.

What is nice is the park is fully shaded by trees and the ground is all natural (grass and wood chips), except for an asphalt pathway, which is great for drawing with chalk or riding your scooter way too fast.

My kids and I go to this park in all seasons. The autumn is great because of the giant piles of leaves you can jump into.  And when it was covered in snow this winter the natural contours made for super fun sledding slopes. I'll always have an affinity to this park because my son took his first steps near the twisty slide, that my daughter was trying very hard to climb up.

Shade - Almost completely covered in trees
Water feature - No.
Bathrooms - Not in the park, but there is a Stop N Shop down  the block with facilities.
Sand - No.
Grass - All grass and wood chips.