A note about Ye Olde Baby Swing

Am I the only one who can never tell which way the baby is supposed to go? It's like putting on tights.  I have know idea which side is front and which is back until something goes wrong. Speaking of  undergarments, what does this look like to you?

Paine Park

Paine Park, on Amory Street Between Broadway and Hampsire Street 

 Paine Park has a great sand area (fenced in for us lazy parents who don't feel like chasing a toddler all over the park); a half basketball court; and some other nice features including shade and sprinklers in the summer.  During the summer months, there is also running water rigged up for sand play.  This park has a handicap accessible swing (A.K.A. a swing I try to get my son to join me on and he always refuses).  The slide looks like something out of the middle ages- in a good way- because its scary and metal.

"The Library Park"

"Library Park" or Joan Lorentz Park, at 459 Broadway

Apparently the Main Library Park is actually "Joan Lorentz Park".  I have to say, I like everything about this block on Broadway: the beautiful new library, the playground, a nearby Starbucks, and my Alma Mater!  

This playground is slightly void of structures and swings considering the traffic it encounters, but it's quite clean and has some really fun features (like a weird disk-type thing that spins when you put your weight on one side- I almost fell off but it was worth it!)  

This is another park that's way too hot in the summer.  Baby trees equal sweaty grownups.  I am kind of sad that they did away with the park that was once under one of the huge trees here.  But this one is sufficient, and I like the amount of company, as it's always well populated.

Wilder Playground

Wilder Playground, near the corner of Lee Street and Broadway

     Full disclosure- I have only been to this park once as it's close to both Maple and Hancock Streets which I'm much more likely to visit.  I'm sorry- Wilder Park, you just don't do it for us.  

     However I'd kill to live closer to any park and this one would be nice to have on your block.  I mean, I live near a Family Dollar so I buy milk there.  That doesn't mean anyone else should trek to Family Dollar for dairy products. 

    One benefit of Wilder Park is that it is small and fully enclosed, so you can relax and watch while your toddler runs around.  The thing is, the structure is a little big for toddlers, so they'll still need help once they climb up there.  Outside the fence, there is a small park with grass. I really don't mean to insult this fine park, on such a quiet, pretty street- it just lives in the shadows of the greats.

Sennott Park

Sennot Park, on Broadway between Norfolk and Prospect

Aaaaah Sennott Park.  This is the park I definitely spent the most time at as a kid.  And I think it's only improved since then.  Its best feature might be the big field next to it- which often has soccer and baseball games in play.  Sennott park is HOT in the summer- I blame the small trees, but that will improve with time.  There are actually some great junior climbing trees on the Prospect side.  I'm sure that's not what they're there for, but it's so tempting.

My son loves to watch the basketball court right beside the playground- and in general, there are usually a lot of people both there, and in the park and playground.  Just the other day, we noticed a sunburned man sleeping at the picnic table in the  playground.  He was not with a kid.  Don't worry, it's cool.  In terms of the climbing structures, there are two- the smaller one still isn't quite small enough for newly toddling kids to explore on their own- so stand awkwardly beside it, or jump up there yourself!

   

Hancock Street Park

Hancock Street Park, Between Mass. Ave and Harvard Street

     Cooper Square Park, also known as Hancock Street Park, is like the Gucci of parks.  Okay, maybe not Gucci- but it's really nice.  Hancock is small enough that- depending on the capability of your child, you can sit on a bench eating their snack and just watch them.

     In the summer- this park is absolutely perfect as it has tons of shade and plenty of sprinklers at various heights.  My favorite thing here waaas a sunken sandbox (until they filled it in- so now children can escape) complete of course with abandoned toys.  Although kids can now get out of the sandbox on their own- it's still a great feature.

     I have heard rumors of some serious snobbery at this park but haven't encountered it as of yet.  Only nice folks so far.

     For some reason- I noticed a ton of bees here last summer, so even though the sprinklers deter it- wear shoes.  No shoes no shirt no bee protection.

Maple Street? Park

“Maple Street Park” 
Between Cambridge Street and Broadway near Cambridge Hospital

     Edward S. Duffett Park, also known as Maple Street Park (even though it’s on Maple Ave) is a great park for little kids.  And by little, I mean up to about 3 or 4 years.  The sign reads, “For children 1 to 5” and that seems exactly right.  I suppose crawling babies could find a lot to do there, as well- between the baby swings, the sand area and some swinging wooden benches (lap action only of course!). 

     If you like cheap thrills, there is also a teeny tiny slide for a very safe, very slow, anticlimactic ride. In the summer, this park has a sprinkler option and running water to make sandbox play more interesting.  Apparently, over a quarter of our parks have “water play”.  The city’s website has more information :  http://www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/ourservices/parks.aspx

     There are so many abandoned plastic toys here, you will lose your mind.  No shortage of ride-on trucks or dishless kitchen sets on Maple Ave. 

     This park has a lot of action crammed into a pretty small space, which has worked very well for my 19 month old son so far, but may present a problem when he’s older and running more (hence the age limit).