The Playground Diaries | Volume 2 | Oak Park
Arvada, Colorado seems to have a park on nearly every corner. While this is completely awesome to have so many options, I know it can be really hard to choose a new park to try out. So to avoid getting in the habit of always going to the same park, The Playground Diaries will be attending as many parks in the area as we can all summer long to share our opinion of each one.
What is The Playground Diaries?
The goal is simple, to help busy moms find awesome parks for all the littles in their life. Each week, I will share a blog about a different park from Ft. Collins to Colorado Springs focusing primarily in the Arvada area. Each blog will list the same statistics so you can learn about the things you care about as well as a little diary of our adventures that day. If you would like to see more information that what is listed please feel free to comment and I may add it to the list.
Oak Park
Substrate: Wood chips
Bathrooms: No
Big Playground: Yes
Small Playground: Yes
Picnic Tables: No
Pavillion: Yes, on the far side of the park (second parking lot)
Theme: Woods
Proximity to Busy Street: Away from street
Playground Shade: None
What Makes Oak Park Special?
Everybody loves a good swing. Well this park has 4 different kinds of swing: a tire swing, two baby swings, two kid swings, and two handicapped/adaptive seat swings. We have started to see these swings pop up at a few places and they are pretty awesome for bigger kiddos who need a little extra security.
The other super fun piece of this park is the curvy balance beam at the younger kid playground. It is a little under a foot off the ground so it is perfect for them to practice their balance and have a little fun on their way to the rock climb area. The rock climb area is a little strange to me at this side of the park since it goes up into a point and then they climb down the other side. My 3 year old has a hard time with it. Although it was fun to play under in the wood chips.
Our Mini Diary
For our adventure to Oak Park, we met up with a friend and one of our old neighbors. It was so great to see them again and get the kiddos together. Even though they are both at the age where they partially play together and partially do their own thing. It was fun to chase them both around the park as they played.
Logan had a great time watching the other kiddos play and he is definitely wanting to participate now. I am sure it will help him want to walk all the sooner, although I am in no rush for such actions lol.
Sarah and Dante on the other hand had a great time running and spinning and taking turns on the balance beam. They even rode the little chipmunk together pretending it was a motorcycle taking them to the grocery store. What silly kid imagination but I love it. Ending our adventures building mountains under the rock climbing triangle, the only real place for the kids to have shade.
Have you been to this park? What is your favorite part? Is there something that you wish I included on our park travels? Let me know in the comments below. Until the next time, happy adventures.