tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82045294934334708522024-02-22T02:56:06.409-05:00So, That Was Fun--A Playground PrimerThis blog reviews playgrounds in Cleveland and beyond. Guest bloggers can chime in with their own opinions and experiences. When possible, maps and/or directions provided. If our kids had fun, maybe yours will too.sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-59121260912020076702010-11-02T23:54:00.000-04:002010-11-02T23:54:21.185-04:00Strongsville Community Park, Strongsville, OH<a href="http://www.strongsville.org/content/">http://www.strongsville.org/content/</a><br />
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What an amazing park in the 1990s wooden castle style! Huge, well organized, so much to try and do...swings, balance beams, a sitting area, climbing, hiding, wiggling, running. We went in September and it was so worth the drive (271 S to 71 S to the 82 West exit....turn off 82 by the Target). The pavilion is a wonderful option for snack time. Parking is adjacent and accessible. <br />
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Definitely a grade A experience.sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-69604828065907412932010-11-02T23:42:00.000-04:002010-11-02T23:42:02.466-04:00SKiP (Stow Kids' Playground), Stow, Ohio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneJaHJgQdijX30-LO6h-94DPGReRF-pHFdZ_DI6zCiNxa5BHPblyi7n5kjJ_3anQbPagRbaoi3Dhc0jLSggYqERE4jvK0OVQit0GQkirHjNVcUWWRaG5s4lSGuH5HjtQzIBV4NgU9lJ9L/s1600/IMG_5635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgneJaHJgQdijX30-LO6h-94DPGReRF-pHFdZ_DI6zCiNxa5BHPblyi7n5kjJ_3anQbPagRbaoi3Dhc0jLSggYqERE4jvK0OVQit0GQkirHjNVcUWWRaG5s4lSGuH5HjtQzIBV4NgU9lJ9L/s320/IMG_5635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What: a huge wooden complex in Stow, Ohio. Castles, play areas, sand pits.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Where: Stow, Ohio. 3870 Darrow Road.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's good: pretty much everything. Parking is close by and accessible. There are public restrooms and ADA picnic tables. Enclosed, so you don't need to worry about someone bolting (a la Ellie). </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">What's bad: it's not right around the corner from the Cleveland area, but with Route 8 open and improved, it's a quick 40 minute drive, and so worth it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Grade: A</div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-75770332180649272782010-11-02T23:25:00.000-04:002010-11-02T23:25:07.934-04:00Devastation.<a href="http://blog.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/2010/11/arson_is_declared_cause_of_fir.html">http://blog.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/2010/11/arson_is_declared_cause_of_fir.html</a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjAc8cEcE_WwT7kQtdGN0knJesplRpB5qlkTGl3YQXU4iMGgeBQ5y9WNQbg85blptI2GWT3RpkY2czPSfJeqP3lYZl_p3453bbDw6h_CyMNoe-bj6V8XCAoa8OW3xPETfV2hJj_cV0ud2/s1600/IMG_4939.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" nx="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzjAc8cEcE_WwT7kQtdGN0knJesplRpB5qlkTGl3YQXU4iMGgeBQ5y9WNQbg85blptI2GWT3RpkY2czPSfJeqP3lYZl_p3453bbDw6h_CyMNoe-bj6V8XCAoa8OW3xPETfV2hJj_cV0ud2/s320/IMG_4939.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Beautiful, wonderful Bexley Park, which was an ideal play environment for children with special needs as well as typically developing children, was destroyed by arson last night. We are so sad in this house, so happy we have so many photos of us playing there, but unsure as to how the gap in our playground lives will be filled as the city decides how to regroup from this horrible event. More importantly, we are horrified that someone would commit this kind of crime, this crime that takes from a community in such as personal, tangible way. As Emma rightly noted, "The police need to catch that bad person and put him in grown up time out." Indeed, young Padawan.sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-35969366537688212802010-07-09T00:05:00.014-04:002010-07-09T01:00:30.242-04:00Woodland Park Zoomazium, Seattle, WA<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DSw0RLu72yCZFavYV8citSGdb_IVxxajDxeacL8-jgrnR8nMUHW8KpfKeECuNQjYgtlErTtKy-HXT27IeVsR2ODrALXm-y3bPgW3rdbxHUATqi9o9C24XvVexv_h-wCeFcaz-5vg9Cw/s1600/P7030076.JPG"></a><br /><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">And now for something completely different…</span></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Seattle is renown for chilly, rainy weather. Exactly the kind of weather that causes parents to tell their children “I think we should stay inside today” when they look out the window. While this is largely a lie that we tell people from California so they don't move here, there are enough rainy days for it to be a consideration. So on our first trip to the zoo I was happy to find, of all things, the “Zoomazium” - an INDOOR playground and activity center! Dave loves the Zoo like any four year old, and we have a membership and try to go every weekend that we are together. Woodland Park is pretty good about making sure that they have covered areas to view as many animals as possible, and by providing an indoor play space they truly make going to the zoo a year-round activity.</span></p><div><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Zoomazium is a large (Approx. 150’ by 100’) building with high ceilings and plenty of natural light. Alongside the usual adult size door is a child-size entrance. Off to a good start. </span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEECzTHIYp8pVRSnaviC9_9j2M1747Ig8cXONTEE9p9_RperX9yktf5vdaKo7frjn_Yp51A29D88L08v65RdIcGrIOn-wHPGDKrwMS5hJ7NN_r7n7PtQIWLwD9WUYawNSXDZCl2JdnkdQ/s1600/P7030096.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491758580076325506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEECzTHIYp8pVRSnaviC9_9j2M1747Ig8cXONTEE9p9_RperX9yktf5vdaKo7frjn_Yp51A29D88L08v65RdIcGrIOn-wHPGDKrwMS5hJ7NN_r7n7PtQIWLwD9WUYawNSXDZCl2JdnkdQ/s320/P7030096.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-KmzYEBJOZuof5LRjUXAc84MYqqyMJ7V0EDg25tmGwoERLFJ1nF8vXqIuqlrbR3TwU0TntSlIEcOjwaTiZIRCl9WIrl1xlK50x8OPIqyz2Xeh5sWF_ew3fEsi59zAidYK3MyBnu9gNs/s1600/P7030091.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491759226479316610" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga-KmzYEBJOZuof5LRjUXAc84MYqqyMJ7V0EDg25tmGwoERLFJ1nF8vXqIuqlrbR3TwU0TntSlIEcOjwaTiZIRCl9WIrl1xlK50x8OPIqyz2Xeh5sWF_ew3fEsi59zAidYK3MyBnu9gNs/s320/P7030091.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Inside, there are three distinct areas. The entire left side of the large, open design is taken up with an arts and crafts area, and space for zookeepers to bring in small animals for “show and tell” opportunities. Very cool, but all of the action takes place on the right.</span></p><div><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Closer to the door is an area for children under four, enclosed by a two foot high fence. Inside are a variety of age appropriate climbing and crawling spaces, <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ62mjY93KpM2XAubjijdogET0nGHs6MmvZS511P5oHaAGqXmIYcoH4sQ5qEldKUriMq8yXGhUs65DpxazXO4MlLYUQz5LOtXRCdnTe4etQ2SGjf_eZoTmPFgswImNKNVA2SfbU9sAvfo/s1600/P7030072.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491759704992231362" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ62mjY93KpM2XAubjijdogET0nGHs6MmvZS511P5oHaAGqXmIYcoH4sQ5qEldKUriMq8yXGhUs65DpxazXO4MlLYUQz5LOtXRCdnTe4etQ2SGjf_eZoTmPFgswImNKNVA2SfbU9sAvfo/s320/P7030072.JPG" /></a>as well as stuffed animals, puzzles, and a foam-rubber “Dinosaur Egg” from which parents can help their child "hatch". Holy Kodak Moment, Batman!</span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL95gAvCMNg9KM2jO42mgaWlDl7t9eOmRFKpdMqOQbxc6P07lHpAKXXj39uYA75sq3Iwilz7sIyPVaD45GFmMahwNEkOzaABe4Xn3WYY8FeTMrs8I2ymyPRGxqqnC_D90jMY8NuOgb_0k/s1600/P7030074.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 291px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 374px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491760230624365218" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL95gAvCMNg9KM2jO42mgaWlDl7t9eOmRFKpdMqOQbxc6P07lHpAKXXj39uYA75sq3Iwilz7sIyPVaD45GFmMahwNEkOzaABe4Xn3WYY8FeTMrs8I2ymyPRGxqqnC_D90jMY8NuOgb_0k/s320/P7030074.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><o:p><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></o:p></p><div><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJuD8n-hP-DFRaFRMhOI4bQI91RvJcZUhQ0NjmB_teNuNm5jeGdRJehBhsyVpYdK3KjHs8b2XtGNEoMfU6gfyUFWoqldSNB9Kfn6VV_3bZ9No0bwtatzY_GOfLZnMiUiJaOStv3Qupv0/s1600/P7030075.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 372px; HEIGHT: 446px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491760856249012546" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwJuD8n-hP-DFRaFRMhOI4bQI91RvJcZUhQ0NjmB_teNuNm5jeGdRJehBhsyVpYdK3KjHs8b2XtGNEoMfU6gfyUFWoqldSNB9Kfn6VV_3bZ9No0bwtatzY_GOfLZnMiUiJaOStv3Qupv0/s320/P7030075.JPG" /></a><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The Big Kahuna, as far as Dave is concerned, is the four to eight year old play area at the rear right of the building. This is made up a natural-looking rock climbing structure complete with a rope bridge, sliding board, and caves to crawl through. This is where Dave spends most of his time and is ideal for very active, creative play.</span></p><div><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6Uyu6mleO2INaVamNXrILPOQ0waHwDELCfx2x9B8rgFYxisZqjYUtw8LrqJNde8SVI4JX2WIIXMGYHs2TWEzVKBOXoha2uLmjrl3M1Qy3X3viF2yj6S29MfCpERQO4FVJoI83g26YnE/s1600/P7030081.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491762575702512962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs6Uyu6mleO2INaVamNXrILPOQ0waHwDELCfx2x9B8rgFYxisZqjYUtw8LrqJNde8SVI4JX2WIIXMGYHs2TWEzVKBOXoha2uLmjrl3M1Qy3X3viF2yj6S29MfCpERQO4FVJoI83g26YnE/s320/P7030081.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sj2u-u-38kkhgo0nLJ8cCJW7VFwQY2sl4Y7K9b2PQhj6f68iuK3fvZZsi6PSe_r4u2nJZmFFpYTaMYyGEkMPanI1qhX_Ex5W9nO6KNHOohURSIuYlGCZ-8hnTzlmmcYixFrB58bYBUc/s1600/P7030088.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 297px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 231px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491763142787996594" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sj2u-u-38kkhgo0nLJ8cCJW7VFwQY2sl4Y7K9b2PQhj6f68iuK3fvZZsi6PSe_r4u2nJZmFFpYTaMYyGEkMPanI1qhX_Ex5W9nO6KNHOohURSIuYlGCZ-8hnTzlmmcYixFrB58bYBUc/s320/P7030088.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVQRAm2I1YsEhIgg2aI_S4idgrOhtUCPYjL99JPfJdva9dVu0m9-V011A42W54uCgQwDd2Y3p2EsNLAQO_LMyEs7QRGi-iW9WwL1NCmQJ0Q4gIJouOm7qmpAd3dLJjl4w16krgjgbqtc/s1600/P7030084.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491764100557446802" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIVQRAm2I1YsEhIgg2aI_S4idgrOhtUCPYjL99JPfJdva9dVu0m9-V011A42W54uCgQwDd2Y3p2EsNLAQO_LMyEs7QRGi-iW9WwL1NCmQJ0Q4gIJouOm7qmpAd3dLJjl4w16krgjgbqtc/s320/P7030084.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Sj2u-u-38kkhgo0nLJ8cCJW7VFwQY2sl4Y7K9b2PQhj6f68iuK3fvZZsi6PSe_r4u2nJZmFFpYTaMYyGEkMPanI1qhX_Ex5W9nO6KNHOohURSIuYlGCZ-8hnTzlmmcYixFrB58bYBUc/s1600/P7030088.JPG"></a></span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iq9MR8ggwDEyniEAlX38vzwhMhigni6WY5aUE0948AFLOFr0mzgPtg8VQej6apoz3QGKDOFS8rpyNyeWnNJuFBWHqTZ8enKWSwkEQr2VkT1dH-Sc2RHrMqCdiGNgzzEvh1Cjf72G9s8/s1600/P7030080.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 240px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491762343541037298" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iq9MR8ggwDEyniEAlX38vzwhMhigni6WY5aUE0948AFLOFr0mzgPtg8VQej6apoz3QGKDOFS8rpyNyeWnNJuFBWHqTZ8enKWSwkEQr2VkT1dH-Sc2RHrMqCdiGNgzzEvh1Cjf72G9s8/s320/P7030080.JPG" /></a></span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iq9MR8ggwDEyniEAlX38vzwhMhigni6WY5aUE0948AFLOFr0mzgPtg8VQej6apoz3QGKDOFS8rpyNyeWnNJuFBWHqTZ8enKWSwkEQr2VkT1dH-Sc2RHrMqCdiGNgzzEvh1Cjf72G9s8/s1600/P7030080.JPG"></a></span></p><div><br /><br /></div><div></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">In the right rear corner is the “Treehouse”, a two story enclosed climber with a spiral slide appropriate for five to twelve year olds. Dave has tried the Treehouse but gets stuck on the spiral climbing pole and I have had to squeeze in and help him down a few times. He ends up wanting to be bigger, and I want to be smaller. At least Dave will eventually get what he wants.</span></p><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5x1IsR1ufOuU1eo1XJhG1TpwaC70A7xYdpY6ehsAP3xbuE7lZw2t6kV3qBqJBmpPU58JQMMwcRb4zXqShVpqVNpxZshCxbyFyoFQ7gBuycPxbyeL76Dc_wqh0lBxLjSk69yDsAY8IQg/s1600/P7030077.JPG"><img style="WIDTH: 240px; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491764634704681954" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv5x1IsR1ufOuU1eo1XJhG1TpwaC70A7xYdpY6ehsAP3xbuE7lZw2t6kV3qBqJBmpPU58JQMMwcRb4zXqShVpqVNpxZshCxbyFyoFQ7gBuycPxbyeL76Dc_wqh0lBxLjSk69yDsAY8IQg/s320/P7030077.JPG" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DSw0RLu72yCZFavYV8citSGdb_IVxxajDxeacL8-jgrnR8nMUHW8KpfKeECuNQjYgtlErTtKy-HXT27IeVsR2ODrALXm-y3bPgW3rdbxHUATqi9o9C24XvVexv_h-wCeFcaz-5vg9Cw/s1600/P7030076.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 240px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5491765000167700258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1DSw0RLu72yCZFavYV8citSGdb_IVxxajDxeacL8-jgrnR8nMUHW8KpfKeECuNQjYgtlErTtKy-HXT27IeVsR2ODrALXm-y3bPgW3rdbxHUATqi9o9C24XvVexv_h-wCeFcaz-5vg9Cw/s320/P7030076.JPG" /></a><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">The floor of the play space is made up of fairy thick rubber padding the texture of a wrestling mat. The rocks, however, appear to be cast concrete. This is my only concern with the Zoomasium, and it is minor if you supervise your child and know their limits. </span></p><div><br /><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;"></span></p><div><br /></div><p style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman;">Woodland Park Zoo’s Zoomazium is a great place to take your kids rain or shine. There are enough activities that Dave is usually good to go for up to two hours, and he almost always sleeps the entire drive/ferry ride home.</span></p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Eric M.http://www.blogger.com/profile/12557080689059677852noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-77562546591239721412010-07-02T21:55:00.000-04:002010-07-02T21:55:09.940-04:00and another joins the frayEric is a wise old friend with an active little boy and they prowl the Pacific Northwest. Look for postings about the Seattle area soon!sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-89503163649552239352010-07-01T12:27:00.000-04:002010-07-01T12:27:43.523-04:00Roxboro complex, Cleveland Heights, OH<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllBNJUbdgNLl-6lN9Q6UxeoY0HEi9xsrHEuriNjO85OfxxvDC6Z9xcK3-Bv9aKWkL2oo8rhKJzNBERNg5jLatj2aDtjhMAAdKLJ9wEcui1Eor2Eb_2eXNCgMBGfCxL9ED0aojXYHVRMeE/s1600/IMG_5513.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhllBNJUbdgNLl-6lN9Q6UxeoY0HEi9xsrHEuriNjO85OfxxvDC6Z9xcK3-Bv9aKWkL2oo8rhKJzNBERNg5jLatj2aDtjhMAAdKLJ9wEcui1Eor2Eb_2eXNCgMBGfCxL9ED0aojXYHVRMeE/s320/IMG_5513.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNys3Mw1iA4h4R_4iHbVcWGys8BA9k1j6DpPRXCdEq36zG_J2OskeKaT2pT5UFodpAeka_Ud_Par4jGgigW-uE3QouxtN8aABHnF0uJatCuzsT4PVUNUIMVn5ZTec23CSrmWG78H1agHS-/s1600/IMG_5515.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNys3Mw1iA4h4R_4iHbVcWGys8BA9k1j6DpPRXCdEq36zG_J2OskeKaT2pT5UFodpAeka_Ud_Par4jGgigW-uE3QouxtN8aABHnF0uJatCuzsT4PVUNUIMVn5ZTec23CSrmWG78H1agHS-/s320/IMG_5515.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAR5c57_B6-QN96qD9brmiYkTNAAp_yWMsO2PoPoB6GAGSWsKolibfX4OCpfNx6-AZjbxCY9qSZVwUtijBkOtU3pWaLhvcbxd2gK0FbKPHUO1IBhTReWd5avfREYMPW7C7ZnEpto-DlK6/s1600/IMG_5512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUAR5c57_B6-QN96qD9brmiYkTNAAp_yWMsO2PoPoB6GAGSWsKolibfX4OCpfNx6-AZjbxCY9qSZVwUtijBkOtU3pWaLhvcbxd2gK0FbKPHUO1IBhTReWd5avfREYMPW7C7ZnEpto-DlK6/s320/IMG_5512.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig62St9HxCN-q_FxqeNjU0o0FIlvTo9MKmf8tfKYo0sexCjWqPwGA8TJXRCKhXO4ihKY3hq0HbqqfBSRMJFv5eQ2fsPuKa_HaicuVQyN4lnIz26smYOtrkcOuB8DXf-4-wIzddaqHmHG8T/s1600/IMG_5507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig62St9HxCN-q_FxqeNjU0o0FIlvTo9MKmf8tfKYo0sexCjWqPwGA8TJXRCKhXO4ihKY3hq0HbqqfBSRMJFv5eQ2fsPuKa_HaicuVQyN4lnIz26smYOtrkcOuB8DXf-4-wIzddaqHmHG8T/s320/IMG_5507.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOXNE88pdOPpYf6Vt8ct8M5dIepoheW6yCH-ou5YeiukdxeXyrAgtlfItv6kFIgoaWNuc7FARF7y4_PfurBT3RWOny5Wu8OrYRAXrDV-XvV5b-56ey144u-_MsFFZU4Eo5FiLMgLj3ODL/s1600/IMG_5509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimOXNE88pdOPpYf6Vt8ct8M5dIepoheW6yCH-ou5YeiukdxeXyrAgtlfItv6kFIgoaWNuc7FARF7y4_PfurBT3RWOny5Wu8OrYRAXrDV-XvV5b-56ey144u-_MsFFZU4Eo5FiLMgLj3ODL/s320/IMG_5509.JPG" /></a></div>What: Roxboro School complex, Cleveland Heights, OH<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGdquH0aNWw5OS8_DnbuiSpq0v6IvCIQ8duUKlE58U7M8dmry_1jkhitwSpMUZCVQnOl4W5uzlTE7d4zsKDykXdgpTzpCxrW-YPXuBZ3ahsYFIXmR82GDbBdPb3YDz-NzRqrF1B33vP7n/s1600/GetMap.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" rw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtGdquH0aNWw5OS8_DnbuiSpq0v6IvCIQ8duUKlE58U7M8dmry_1jkhitwSpMUZCVQnOl4W5uzlTE7d4zsKDykXdgpTzpCxrW-YPXuBZ3ahsYFIXmR82GDbBdPb3YDz-NzRqrF1B33vP7n/s320/GetMap.png" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Where: there...off of Fairmount...sort of (more of that to follow)<br />
What's good: the climbers are the older wooden style, but they are ample and appropriately sized. I like the wide space for RUNNING, which is always a good option. The pavilion provides excellent seating for shade and snacks. Slides are covered for the most part, which in the summer sun is key in Ohio (burned butts are no fun). The school is in a quiet neighborhood and not on a main street. Fenced along the sidewalk.<br />
What's not good: the parking lot for the playground is way behind the school building and completely inaccessible from West Saint James. You have go take Colchester to Woodmere to North Park and then sort of do a dodge and tuck into the lot. If you don't plan this, your kids will be in the car screaming that they want out (like mine were) while you frantically try to find a place to park the van. The parking lot is accessible, of course, but it is tricky to find your first time out.<br />
Overall grade: even with the wonky parking, the amazing pavilion and good layout rate this playground a solid B.sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-86027085149918353282010-07-01T12:14:00.001-04:002010-07-01T12:14:11.341-04:00Let's welcome...a new contributor to the world of playground review. JAK is a cool dad with cool boys. Thanks for stepping up!sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-46639728810799486312010-02-07T10:06:00.002-05:002010-02-07T10:14:50.935-05:00It's never too cold to play<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rAY8GaTuU3kC50GT08t2cFJ7H89deVbUztB0PrBABizny7NZ8NlnGq8hMFzhHp2UiASaYV9ufOLeXbKjdu2p9vLC_-KxOCrNaB8M028Z68R4p0Y-WMdrpdK3keAHrR-mAjooERsarWuK/s1600-h/IMG_4941.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435519040209413442" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_rAY8GaTuU3kC50GT08t2cFJ7H89deVbUztB0PrBABizny7NZ8NlnGq8hMFzhHp2UiASaYV9ufOLeXbKjdu2p9vLC_-KxOCrNaB8M028Z68R4p0Y-WMdrpdK3keAHrR-mAjooERsarWuK/s400/IMG_4941.JPG" /></a> I have never understood parents who let a little snow prohibit their attempts to utilize public playgrounds. The fact is, kids don't care, and their brains need the fresh air. Nothing nips cabin fever in the bud than a good swing and a climb. This past Thursday was cold (30 degrees) but sunny and no wind, so I loaded the girls up for a jazz around Bexley, or as we call it, Sleeping Beauty park (the castle is determinative). We had the entire place to ourselves (which I expected, and which the girls found disappointing) and after an hour we were ready to head home. However, the sleep was deep that night, and they were clearly happier for having had the time outside. While I am always on the lookout for new playgrounds, in this climate, sometimes local and familiar will get the job done in a winter's pinch.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-xrsxUSdbqaHFrN7HrxucidZDjT8x0HIvAA0O46jOYn9quIGEYNI_k1cVAU7y4llh8sPCmj8MT0borrv52EDepuks8ojpx3qf1IJZuNSObrh-MtXd-2Ndhu_lkUmD0dVpPZFvKuPk2Ge/s1600-h/IMG_4939.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435519032537085058" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-xrsxUSdbqaHFrN7HrxucidZDjT8x0HIvAA0O46jOYn9quIGEYNI_k1cVAU7y4llh8sPCmj8MT0borrv52EDepuks8ojpx3qf1IJZuNSObrh-MtXd-2Ndhu_lkUmD0dVpPZFvKuPk2Ge/s400/IMG_4939.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgophWCTC_e2BeW8b5Ds4tWrL3oifcV8w0AhUkSzxMWfOH2JiWbbid618jgNqKN732pHVvPnChM-ioq7fj96V4Uh9Z6QOzobV0ZLJoE5Ib-2e-G5X6i3ZjjKtN0_dOGT3Xu5cqWjxmtO1FR/s1600-h/IMG_4938.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 300px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5435519006093818898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgophWCTC_e2BeW8b5Ds4tWrL3oifcV8w0AhUkSzxMWfOH2JiWbbid618jgNqKN732pHVvPnChM-ioq7fj96V4Uh9Z6QOzobV0ZLJoE5Ib-2e-G5X6i3ZjjKtN0_dOGT3Xu5cqWjxmtO1FR/s400/IMG_4938.JPG" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-87930338807384490132009-06-07T14:27:00.002-04:002009-06-07T14:30:14.536-04:00This just in<a href="http://www.uni.edu/playground/">http://www.uni.edu/playground/</a><br /><br />This is the website for the National Program For Playground Safety. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=5129">http://www.nrpa.org/content/default.aspx?documentId=5129</a><br /><br />This one is for the National Playground Safety Institute.<br /><br />If you are the type who likes to know the rules, these two sites are helpful.sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-75294951349718670062009-05-22T21:37:00.002-04:002009-05-22T21:50:43.365-04:00Cleveland Clinic Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, Cleveland, Ohio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_CXDWcwXnPzz1H0kSsDdsmQXWsuyGyhIpE4jleryzHzLF7q3fY5U95mA1RHemNoEPy7MckxbY-EEYdIE56ScNJ1tjc-10ZwHSxDTJFxRqvrx6_5xHAmUXm54b8tMIWfxKX-Glw74eywy/s1600-h/IMG_3557.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338828002294629042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga_CXDWcwXnPzz1H0kSsDdsmQXWsuyGyhIpE4jleryzHzLF7q3fY5U95mA1RHemNoEPy7MckxbY-EEYdIE56ScNJ1tjc-10ZwHSxDTJFxRqvrx6_5xHAmUXm54b8tMIWfxKX-Glw74eywy/s400/IMG_3557.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQeLYtgyoRJwrwFU1Ffd6Iucc-os4hQXdkcBxfMQuZm9nikvyx-tIRGkHyAPA6bvsuo_vFPPaPqmdvHJ3Z-H46M5TdFPB5KRnM5Tzdp5mySUmm6a8gkBivEqInaRSdErXZUI1W4dKm7q9/s1600-h/IMG_3558.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338827998091038482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQeLYtgyoRJwrwFU1Ffd6Iucc-os4hQXdkcBxfMQuZm9nikvyx-tIRGkHyAPA6bvsuo_vFPPaPqmdvHJ3Z-H46M5TdFPB5KRnM5Tzdp5mySUmm6a8gkBivEqInaRSdErXZUI1W4dKm7q9/s400/IMG_3558.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeYBNj565TDjk5s_-u55rZLwg7dxn-VMw8JvNztSW3L83eeh206XSlUjGqverTMNDUtjfJIQ-_9rm_dv7ASnhTTkSbLAOSN4RoeAb-bFJTjq9BLhlJGvU034boHxLX_AFJyGeEZYb5Swh/s1600-h/IMG_3559.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5338827990556856786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLeYBNj565TDjk5s_-u55rZLwg7dxn-VMw8JvNztSW3L83eeh206XSlUjGqverTMNDUtjfJIQ-_9rm_dv7ASnhTTkSbLAOSN4RoeAb-bFJTjq9BLhlJGvU034boHxLX_AFJyGeEZYb5Swh/s400/IMG_3559.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>What: The Courtyard at the CC Children's Hospital for Rehabilitation, previously known as Health Hill</div><div> </div><div>Where: Corner of MLK and Shaker/Buckeye, Cleveland</div><div> </div><div>This is not a "park" per se but the mission of this blog is to critique EVERY playspace that we encounter so...</div><div> </div><div>WHAT'S GOOD: Well, I'm glad that they have this playspace at all. It's nice for the children who need gross motor rehab and it's nice when we can play outside after our therapy there. There's a climber, slide, some swings, and an open basketball court with an adapted hoop. This area was a donation from a patient's grandparents in 2003. There was a hopscotch drawn on the basketball court, and Ellie played that for a while.</div><div> </div><div>WHAT'S NOT GOOD: Truthfully, the climber is getting worn, since it is made of timber and is exposed to the elements all year. It's not accessible for wheelchairs, and there are no sensory things at hand/eye level for kids who are grounded because of their mobility issues. The slide has that same weird molded bottom that we saw at Fairfax School, which confuses the heck out of Ellie. The swings are put away as soon as the weather turns in the fall, which is a drag, since on a bright clear winter day swinging could still be fun. </div><div> </div><div>I know that this space is not a premium for the hospital, but I still think it could be beautiful and available for all the children. And it's not.</div><div> </div><div>Grade: C+</div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-19859704187193195012009-05-17T12:14:00.003-04:002009-05-17T12:37:11.584-04:00Horseshoe Lake, Shaker Heights<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rnGdJ6i1-ujNJOUqp5ZtEEEFAJXnvbOn4JGGbOBiTaaaQAtRLU31cqlLYuFA0Z39rUflXOHs__mg64YCIHzy35AM0vqBBuLghyC287BNHNejotlJnRD65ouQMLgTApuu-pQCb0rn5mws/s1600-h/IMG_3517.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336827903664779538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rnGdJ6i1-ujNJOUqp5ZtEEEFAJXnvbOn4JGGbOBiTaaaQAtRLU31cqlLYuFA0Z39rUflXOHs__mg64YCIHzy35AM0vqBBuLghyC287BNHNejotlJnRD65ouQMLgTApuu-pQCb0rn5mws/s400/IMG_3517.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cAFIGC5CDmxod0YvDTdT2n79SXzzEK_GtR3aoB9KWorq5HptXt_GbHvP_91rm2XhuoNLA4NRsBWP-lxkLCWDIT3PZCYqZ8A0t1T1ilMvn5dZz2r6bLMx8xnKKBX2FP-MrCmBi2fT0ICC/s1600-h/IMG_3515.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336827896662086834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cAFIGC5CDmxod0YvDTdT2n79SXzzEK_GtR3aoB9KWorq5HptXt_GbHvP_91rm2XhuoNLA4NRsBWP-lxkLCWDIT3PZCYqZ8A0t1T1ilMvn5dZz2r6bLMx8xnKKBX2FP-MrCmBi2fT0ICC/s400/IMG_3515.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5feNSKRKsk8w7gTx39bM3lDqyS4i4MwAiwTJZeB00TunxyESo4wfK3G_xciPwjeR9L8NtVJJu7P3_o7wC8dDH0Wyej76YJ8xGOeVV6gduWzAB_oQ1q5xsHq_aOVKCCV4pLnhdf9RGF7/s1600-h/IMG_3511.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336827895113853074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioc5feNSKRKsk8w7gTx39bM3lDqyS4i4MwAiwTJZeB00TunxyESo4wfK3G_xciPwjeR9L8NtVJJu7P3_o7wC8dDH0Wyej76YJ8xGOeVV6gduWzAB_oQ1q5xsHq_aOVKCCV4pLnhdf9RGF7/s400/IMG_3511.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZkFDqXDjxslsClnwlbmIoy39mV6AM6Oi9F9JYNF0m9NMT1fKqzVA1D3b99JYGH1svuc_8c1tLRARuCxN5HbexI3Bhy3CakHvk7MSESH7YxRVMIHgPJ4Yx1oqovmgCe_wWNmtQjEf9-w4/s1600-h/IMG_3507.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336827891438322146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKZkFDqXDjxslsClnwlbmIoy39mV6AM6Oi9F9JYNF0m9NMT1fKqzVA1D3b99JYGH1svuc_8c1tLRARuCxN5HbexI3Bhy3CakHvk7MSESH7YxRVMIHgPJ4Yx1oqovmgCe_wWNmtQjEf9-w4/s400/IMG_3507.JPG" border="0" /></a> What: a "natural play zone" within the enclave of Horseshoe Lake in Shaker Heights (<a href="http://www.shakeronline.com/dept/planning/HorseshoeLakeMasterPlan.asp">http://www.shakeronline.com/dept/planning/HorseshoeLakeMasterPlan.asp</a>)</div><div> </div><div>Where: Off North Park at Lee; go past The Beaumont School and stay to your right</div><div> </div><div>What's good: this is not your average playground. You will not find bright primary color climbers here (swings, yes). This space uses boulders, wood, logs, large stone slabs, and the existing environment for its gross motor/sensory experiences. This is great for pretend play, tap dancing on "bricks" (as Emma calls it), running, exploring. There is a snack pavilion as well as a lavatory. Parking is adjacent but not obtrusive. My kids did not want to leave.</div><div> </div><div>What's bad: I think you would need to prep some kids that there are no "climbers" or "slides." This park is by no means a disappointment...it's just not what some kids would expect. My kids did great making up their own games, but other children may need a prompt or two.<br /></div><div>Grade: A<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-61738789199357985762009-05-11T14:19:00.003-04:002009-05-11T14:26:44.037-04:00VanRaalte Farm, 24th St., Holland, MI<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDewfAdzZs2wpcaJxBxIkzf6G99u6mp7RrMH7KKBkeQRlN0RrSnXhg3ELY2SwlnqyqqO7aoHWXh02vSmCcYNsSWgyGHQO710WHDjpK2LBqyszJJRcNryLqBIk3AcoXeq5eZjaAqJYl2Iz/s1600-h/IMG_3367.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334633482882865954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicDewfAdzZs2wpcaJxBxIkzf6G99u6mp7RrMH7KKBkeQRlN0RrSnXhg3ELY2SwlnqyqqO7aoHWXh02vSmCcYNsSWgyGHQO710WHDjpK2LBqyszJJRcNryLqBIk3AcoXeq5eZjaAqJYl2Iz/s400/IMG_3367.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />These are the Stairs of Death. Do not let your children try to egress them if they are wet. Dupas will get hurt.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mwca2bxCOFbe3T8YycBSzb5RfO3xnL7jpxNkcrcG_fkFGSrNbZuRIo70OHxW-jAdL4aKNjBcajI4DIsbehWTiMWKSRP38uyePZu8dNnM5yiHxH1VEovSUeYho7nrSAux4bHp9sBKbLCk/s1600-h/IMG_3365.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334633475988482418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Mwca2bxCOFbe3T8YycBSzb5RfO3xnL7jpxNkcrcG_fkFGSrNbZuRIo70OHxW-jAdL4aKNjBcajI4DIsbehWTiMWKSRP38uyePZu8dNnM5yiHxH1VEovSUeYho7nrSAux4bHp9sBKbLCk/s400/IMG_3365.JPG" border="0" /></a> Small but mighty.<br /><br />What: VanRaalte Farm park, 24th St., Holland, MI<br /><br />How to get there: I have no idea, just Google it<br /><br />What's good: again, it has its own port-a-loo (I have a photo to prove it), nice slides, a pavilion. The problem is we went when it was raining and the Stairs of Death took out two of my kids. <br /><br />What's bad: nothing. It's a cute playground. Just don't go in the rain.<br /><br />Grade: B+sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-63614828324859270812009-05-11T14:08:00.002-04:002009-05-11T14:18:32.671-04:00Smallenberg Park, Fairbanks @ 14th St., Holland MI<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLFOBdxMkJyl3x_HY5NwABfXSeCge-M8BR52bi7AT08HQO_gTmPd7jUHftdQHeza5kY9iGeTUxob6WFfFLKhEmlmK9uL-Z7ndTG8Pl-6x9CMlnInIlFcG8ZDVBUwZiq8THysQJqqAaCFP/s1600-h/IMG_3489.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334631046272875554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvLFOBdxMkJyl3x_HY5NwABfXSeCge-M8BR52bi7AT08HQO_gTmPd7jUHftdQHeza5kY9iGeTUxob6WFfFLKhEmlmK9uL-Z7ndTG8Pl-6x9CMlnInIlFcG8ZDVBUwZiq8THysQJqqAaCFP/s400/IMG_3489.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmghip52_7zRb77ujoXMpPq0PW6pfnD8fGVKjd0Vx8wVS7sGqK1ntPuXTaohJUJDGOxM2tF7hIU9vU635DJamoVuL4FFxQNtV4L2a1JnFs26QIqL3wdd5PQ-j89tSe8hMU6Sjc99pcntX/s1600-h/IMG_3491.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334631041722972386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZmghip52_7zRb77ujoXMpPq0PW6pfnD8fGVKjd0Vx8wVS7sGqK1ntPuXTaohJUJDGOxM2tF7hIU9vU635DJamoVuL4FFxQNtV4L2a1JnFs26QIqL3wdd5PQ-j89tSe8hMU6Sjc99pcntX/s400/IMG_3491.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcgOW2MTFP1BmsKsdjfQRwC_gwf46uij8FfdENvWB1FuhFmnSzVhpM94ZIZRBimfuCywZJF-4Mmlsj84IUJCoUoYQFo9HF_AZlo4Rg6gM2vBWO9fziBF1UzP9aISnfKbxrMbwoDnOVJI0/s1600-h/IMG_3480.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334631040504948850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqcgOW2MTFP1BmsKsdjfQRwC_gwf46uij8FfdENvWB1FuhFmnSzVhpM94ZIZRBimfuCywZJF-4Mmlsj84IUJCoUoYQFo9HF_AZlo4Rg6gM2vBWO9fziBF1UzP9aISnfKbxrMbwoDnOVJI0/s400/IMG_3480.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmLdUcfSEDi0OM5G1Rsla5WeK0q8prB2ivqDwi6KT0g7fUrXGTP7haWkpnbAAfd7xVGCnPjMr1w8iHmxTNAcduQuBGbiOQ0oKWap8is6mvXwCIPMxvidwp_J4nbRJIde0QAIaGK-CnqPG/s1600-h/IMG_3477.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5334631029135351858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxmLdUcfSEDi0OM5G1Rsla5WeK0q8prB2ivqDwi6KT0g7fUrXGTP7haWkpnbAAfd7xVGCnPjMr1w8iHmxTNAcduQuBGbiOQ0oKWap8is6mvXwCIPMxvidwp_J4nbRJIde0QAIaGK-CnqPG/s400/IMG_3477.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Where: Holland, MI, on the beautiful shores of Lake Macatawa</div><div> </div><div>What's good: this is a great park. Like everything else in Holland, it is super clean, has its own port-a-loo (we didn't investigate), and is ADA accessible. Love the rock climbing wall, the swings, the slides, Parking is adjacent. Note the snack pavilion. There is also a petite climber, which my kids weren't very interested in but was well organized. </div><div> </div><div>What's bad: probably the only homeless woman in Holland was there and kind of creeped me out. However, she fell asleep on a table halfway through our visit so I figure she was harmless enough.</div><div> </div><div>Grade: A<br /></div><div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-51648366231105665692009-04-11T22:59:00.003-04:002009-04-11T23:27:33.525-04:00Forest Hills Park, Cleveland Heights, Ohio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz97ELn15B3Um-QNA9uIErCpqoSY-BdKsF281AP77pTQDbw_Vsi-dI_Lvffg6Wz3CfZEPtT6qg5VcVGaGHv6nv2Nn-uk9_ybjkhwf1SjBZETevcAjvWmGMwUtjb5LsNB2erneubczm3_2F/s1600-h/IMG_3143.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323634945542892802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz97ELn15B3Um-QNA9uIErCpqoSY-BdKsF281AP77pTQDbw_Vsi-dI_Lvffg6Wz3CfZEPtT6qg5VcVGaGHv6nv2Nn-uk9_ybjkhwf1SjBZETevcAjvWmGMwUtjb5LsNB2erneubczm3_2F/s400/IMG_3143.JPG" border="0" /></a> These little steppy steps are excellent for motor planning.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyKsfiySh2StD1CcP_qy3YlWUBDKGzy5z3pv0cO2tjgfNQe_Z44DBHZ3LPPLM5vqP0KR8lB9wB4E5mdwQWPlI7qybid9DRCWC_ymXIxKgi4bpGiYGUDWxDk9IVdp3HE_WZkuPbjSR7lc8/s1600-h/IMG_3148.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323634941188115506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYyKsfiySh2StD1CcP_qy3YlWUBDKGzy5z3pv0cO2tjgfNQe_Z44DBHZ3LPPLM5vqP0KR8lB9wB4E5mdwQWPlI7qybid9DRCWC_ymXIxKgi4bpGiYGUDWxDk9IVdp3HE_WZkuPbjSR7lc8/s400/IMG_3148.JPG" border="0" /></a> A nice twist on the rock wall. Sensory + gross motor + bilateralism.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-bSWN0qyXyFdmT5N7r-P1YAgERtM2-ASYBc5hD-jQsA4pGAddRTVR0843VAdDnrJUYxM5NXxkODa-HVgxkBUaQ0RihtQ7ywa-uJyAnjULRTpODt0e5n8Fbpz2Qhyphenhyphenvpkbfr-pVsLqJqY3/s1600-h/IMG_3145.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323634934608612642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-bSWN0qyXyFdmT5N7r-P1YAgERtM2-ASYBc5hD-jQsA4pGAddRTVR0843VAdDnrJUYxM5NXxkODa-HVgxkBUaQ0RihtQ7ywa-uJyAnjULRTpODt0e5n8Fbpz2Qhyphenhyphenvpkbfr-pVsLqJqY3/s400/IMG_3145.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The slides at this park are superior to a lot of slides I've seen. Lots of twists and turns, climbing options to get there. The height factor on the big twisty slide is a little intimidating for toddlers tho.</div><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4Z9TvBqDGBh5P2XEk-PECp4NcKEuR-Gz5ACQjeDEnj72YKpTuB3WI6rmGn52b7aNUdorSSpQgwPOGLlQYRc6XpW_Ce2AkYHRaJ1UuIgE7PnyJsKSR6AN6Z3ysHQA7ShHuhsBi0vU_NVr/s1600-h/IMG_3144.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323634932456713954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh4Z9TvBqDGBh5P2XEk-PECp4NcKEuR-Gz5ACQjeDEnj72YKpTuB3WI6rmGn52b7aNUdorSSpQgwPOGLlQYRc6XpW_Ce2AkYHRaJ1UuIgE7PnyJsKSR6AN6Z3ysHQA7ShHuhsBi0vU_NVr/s400/IMG_3144.JPG" border="0" /></a> Longview. Rock wall visible.</div><div> </div><div>What and Where: Forest Hills Park playground, entrance off of Lee Road.</div><div> </div><div>What's good: super climber--there is something for every child of every ability. Excellent slides. Good rock walls and climbing opportunities. Wood chips were fresh the day we were there. Nice trees. There is a pavilion for snacking and plenty of grass for running, kite flying, etc. Parking is ample and close by.</div><div> </div><div>What's not good: I heard from a parent friend at Ellie's school that in the evenings adolescents come into the park, often from East Cleveland, to smoke, fool around, use bad language, etc. I can't confirm this but he doesn't take his little girl there after supper anymore. He did note that he has seen far more CHPD patrols in that neighborhood recently and that the fracas seems to have died down.</div><div> </div><div>Grade: A- (in case there is truth to the riff raff)</div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /> </div><div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-79653805649317188722009-04-02T18:59:00.003-04:002009-04-02T19:21:32.324-04:00Boulevard School, Cleveland Heights<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzx7bKTcJdLbJLjJAUKnFZQsUmEqPb6sfPxku2RZONbpw1E7EnzZFab02lc0ij-0HQ1pORb8ZSE2MtzRcNCLOrD61-U3wyyJS4exU04ONmyf_3GuUbjt5NqYDnJ0wnqtl0Adp1nQNrB3e6/s1600-h/IMG_3104.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320233098698940850" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzx7bKTcJdLbJLjJAUKnFZQsUmEqPb6sfPxku2RZONbpw1E7EnzZFab02lc0ij-0HQ1pORb8ZSE2MtzRcNCLOrD61-U3wyyJS4exU04ONmyf_3GuUbjt5NqYDnJ0wnqtl0Adp1nQNrB3e6/s400/IMG_3104.JPG" border="0" /></a> This climber faces Lee Road. It's smaller, but still good for motor planning.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oISVcryRs9fi-MkhkK-zSNIQZtmhh9YC9gPGzOOOCZC6JM77sTF7o1-D04JfqvnfhwAphGUxptg7YdBhc4iD4zNT-o7ikI-ixrCTQQBSC2k3QlZFHRHBeNkJdeKeo1US3rkOuTXczvcY/s1600-h/IMG_3108.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320233093238116066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oISVcryRs9fi-MkhkK-zSNIQZtmhh9YC9gPGzOOOCZC6JM77sTF7o1-D04JfqvnfhwAphGUxptg7YdBhc4iD4zNT-o7ikI-ixrCTQQBSC2k3QlZFHRHBeNkJdeKeo1US3rkOuTXczvcY/s400/IMG_3108.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This climber has an excellent apparatus for "mountain climbing." I caution you that the two swings alongside are wobbly, and two are even missing.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdIeJRmF2qvc9JOplHWUx1qtamSMpZwfhRM1GBJm_ZB22Fe6GjqU0DSA0uVtfrQMb5IRHP2BBbNdBTCB466ytt9B1amCBS6iYkwBHTK3kHj3DzmxKhFymnNlh3PwQTtZQb_Q2UEdAMcuX/s1600-h/IMG_3107.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320233094856470018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEdIeJRmF2qvc9JOplHWUx1qtamSMpZwfhRM1GBJm_ZB22Fe6GjqU0DSA0uVtfrQMb5IRHP2BBbNdBTCB466ytt9B1amCBS6iYkwBHTK3kHj3DzmxKhFymnNlh3PwQTtZQb_Q2UEdAMcuX/s400/IMG_3107.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Nice balancers here. <br /><br /><div> </div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm-_owM5CzuFi1qO7ne8VJvlbBY9EPRAYlnPtFGJzLamrUvgr4tZHMraS9RhUqVkXoEPz0uNGc1-XyNSFNeBIFa6amvFHDGFjFzx9TktA8t6eLviLFvM27ZYr65dyzxPFPorLRqkySlv_/s1600-h/IMG_3105.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320233088157235122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvm-_owM5CzuFi1qO7ne8VJvlbBY9EPRAYlnPtFGJzLamrUvgr4tZHMraS9RhUqVkXoEPz0uNGc1-XyNSFNeBIFa6amvFHDGFjFzx9TktA8t6eLviLFvM27ZYr65dyzxPFPorLRqkySlv_/s400/IMG_3105.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>This climber is handicapped accessible--see the ramp Emma is on? It leads to a nice sensory play area. This climber is also appropriate for smaller children in that the proportions are accomodating.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div><br />WHAT: Boulevard Elementary School Playground, Lee Road, Cleveland Heights. This playground has been recently rehabbed by fundraising done by committed parents and community.</div><div> </div><div>WHAT'S GOOD: There are a variety of large muscle and sensory areas on all the climbers. The handicapped accessible climber is not one I've seen at a lot of parks and it's a relief to know that many children of all abilities could take advantage of the fun this area has to offer. There is also a wonderful open space between the parking lot and the playground that could be used for impromptu soccer or just RUNNING, which as we all know kids love. The Boulevard community clearly thought about what would work for their neighborhood and took this job seriously.</div><div> </div><div>WHAT'S BAD: Well, as one can expect in a public space, there is some graffiti on some of the climbers, and strangely enough, it all has to do with penises. There, I've said it. </div><div> </div><div>GRADE: A- (I don't want to have to explain pictures of male genitalia to my children).<br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-44105801532903972842009-03-25T23:39:00.002-04:002009-03-25T23:41:49.718-04:00Noble School UpdateFYI--Noble School in Cleveland Heights is moving forward with their playground renovation. They are in the fundraising/design stages. I gave the playground a poor rating initially because of some very serious safety issues, but am extremely positive and supportive of the school's effort to provide their children and the surrounding neighborhood with a safe, exciting place for children to grow and develop their bodies. Go Noble School!sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-21250442957071462842009-03-25T23:28:00.002-04:002009-03-25T23:38:44.536-04:00Fairfax Elementary School, Cleveland Heights<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NiizSzy-DSuv6Y1fHWtmpscCTZbruoHEMbsA_y2OaRVdNAf3ddKBHmTp3vAQST3sVAKIDCi-lDpDP29fusUKIrkjfADYkuSI-LP6kgkMxwjpTw-2LY7Kv7Pmc2OaYkQYDvvctc53IKnT/s1600-h/IMG_3004.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317334150404449378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_NiizSzy-DSuv6Y1fHWtmpscCTZbruoHEMbsA_y2OaRVdNAf3ddKBHmTp3vAQST3sVAKIDCi-lDpDP29fusUKIrkjfADYkuSI-LP6kgkMxwjpTw-2LY7Kv7Pmc2OaYkQYDvvctc53IKnT/s400/IMG_3004.JPG" border="0" /></a> Check out the awesome, huge painted hopscotch.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKqu0BokH-v_Bgdo9EGkvjbpLdZ9qLvFl3lgHMvSK4vVlWWmtm2fcq-f_PRXDxeZiJnkOCdU3IDky-LXhqdtXtgvBo5JEtuK7N8Rvco6MJRTfB-caNggpcxsczQb8JqDzyf8f0J7In4Zo/s1600-h/IMG_2994.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317334142576741410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnKqu0BokH-v_Bgdo9EGkvjbpLdZ9qLvFl3lgHMvSK4vVlWWmtm2fcq-f_PRXDxeZiJnkOCdU3IDky-LXhqdtXtgvBo5JEtuK7N8Rvco6MJRTfB-caNggpcxsczQb8JqDzyf8f0J7In4Zo/s400/IMG_2994.JPG" border="0" /></a> Preschool climber.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H0zQpbyKJhwChl8m9e8tDac7LNNQ1Yckmd4tJwdjF74PyjBPASl35qYmX0K_utesBquUKNQEa1F208duk2kQt-PlwSrbl1zf5o2bNFlUTSm4cexSJlTbUf8FW2qPJa4n7E4C7iSePdSt/s1600-h/IMG_2990.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317334138076242658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1H0zQpbyKJhwChl8m9e8tDac7LNNQ1Yckmd4tJwdjF74PyjBPASl35qYmX0K_utesBquUKNQEa1F208duk2kQt-PlwSrbl1zf5o2bNFlUTSm4cexSJlTbUf8FW2qPJa4n7E4C7iSePdSt/s400/IMG_2990.JPG" border="0" /></a> Primary grades climber.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5apag-eLkKtnDNqOn5iBZyt6Rfl3nGM7xk4xmE4O0JLnPiNKOYH0u3m5tOAmMxEQziKDQGH9MvOi7qblU8blFSJlNPt2i6MPvLFe61JE4DVjG1Mhw0ZPU_LUE3iJAOUIYRu8oC0umLEo/s1600-h/IMG_2988.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5317334132736316994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia5apag-eLkKtnDNqOn5iBZyt6Rfl3nGM7xk4xmE4O0JLnPiNKOYH0u3m5tOAmMxEQziKDQGH9MvOi7qblU8blFSJlNPt2i6MPvLFe61JE4DVjG1Mhw0ZPU_LUE3iJAOUIYRu8oC0umLEo/s400/IMG_2988.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Where: Fairfax Elementary School on Lee Road, across from Church of the Savior, Cleveland Heights</div><div> </div><div>What: Two play centers: a kindergarten/preschool sized climber and a newfangled climber, an open play area, and foursquare/hopscotch area</div><div> </div><div>What's good: The newer climber is nice, with several slides, a rock wall, and some sensory areas. I love the wide open play space, which has the painted diagrams, and the fact that a kid can just RUN, or ride a trike, or whatever. Parking is great. </div><div> </div><div>What's not good: The older climber in the kinder area is not great. There are some odd design things with the wooden climber, such as a bizarre slide that ends with a seat-like thing that makes a kid look like he's straddling a bidet. No toddler swings on the swingset, which means a small child or a kid with sensory issues can't swing. </div><div> </div><div>Overall grade: B<br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-9879959367740073882009-03-06T21:14:00.003-05:002009-03-06T22:00:47.213-05:00Mercer School, Shaker Heights, Ohio<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6NNLZvzVl1kIbf78D9oyB8AG3lP6tFZ-3IdRghF7vHSp4WiCkk13Q6cXx_KEz4NTV_Aop44UlynTT8lHugbcbUiagR8OUCmxP_WDyY4xYg7snIJHqUqj1huutzJPoUM84oVTiEgGZYTU/s1600-h/IMG_2964.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310264123921052274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr6NNLZvzVl1kIbf78D9oyB8AG3lP6tFZ-3IdRghF7vHSp4WiCkk13Q6cXx_KEz4NTV_Aop44UlynTT8lHugbcbUiagR8OUCmxP_WDyY4xYg7snIJHqUqj1huutzJPoUM84oVTiEgGZYTU/s400/IMG_2964.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oz0-aG1YwY1YseiZDrfqfb5R8oZQQ33ap2tJYg7IPc8YgUqT3JgklsXDN_m4XFXv9f18hknbQk6poNj3qFHcpGIhesCibIgsjaq2nzeY2MMu4PQ47Evjb3V45oLtyd3MG5lGOy1wT7sB/s1600-h/IMG_2970.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310264113754262658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7oz0-aG1YwY1YseiZDrfqfb5R8oZQQ33ap2tJYg7IPc8YgUqT3JgklsXDN_m4XFXv9f18hknbQk6poNj3qFHcpGIhesCibIgsjaq2nzeY2MMu4PQ47Evjb3V45oLtyd3MG5lGOy1wT7sB/s400/IMG_2970.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASm57XjDesxCWNG41cxVaUZOTvreaGFWt_ebnMLRR88A2VRO1nlysPh_D6y2smDk4ySIR_gvO2bH4oYxbGnvW6TxlBnzh1MR04tuXwjsf7JtoQonB5dTLJVwSVP6XrU-tnYLb-98ub02n/s1600-h/IMG_2963.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310264110822565458" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjASm57XjDesxCWNG41cxVaUZOTvreaGFWt_ebnMLRR88A2VRO1nlysPh_D6y2smDk4ySIR_gvO2bH4oYxbGnvW6TxlBnzh1MR04tuXwjsf7JtoQonB5dTLJVwSVP6XrU-tnYLb-98ub02n/s400/IMG_2963.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54EatQk_4O_sMWOnCgoqinfI2oOCSGt_gNEDhVBWwWp0azyd9m2zVGpolRgAgt26LCkN4ucZsf3203CSKaA3ANe-cpENnxTq9oaRWzLEkHg1UNt6YWkSpebG0pAdfkkr_38aaHdq6_E4D/s1600-h/IMG_2961.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310264102649196386" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54EatQk_4O_sMWOnCgoqinfI2oOCSGt_gNEDhVBWwWp0azyd9m2zVGpolRgAgt26LCkN4ucZsf3203CSKaA3ANe-cpENnxTq9oaRWzLEkHg1UNt6YWkSpebG0pAdfkkr_38aaHdq6_E4D/s400/IMG_2961.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Where: playground of Mercer School, intersections of Hardwick and Green Roads, Shaker Heights</div><div> </div><div>What's good: Everything. Three climber sizes--petite, medium and large. The large has some cool large muscle activities--log roll, hanging balance beam, much bigger climbing and sliding. The medium climber, which got the most use from us, has some nice sensory things on it (the rolling pin slide is a fave). Nice slide variation--twisty, wavy, tubular. Good wood chips. Parking lot is immediately adjacent. </div><div> </div><div>What's annoying: a sign that says that the playground is restricted to Shaker school district residents only, along with the standard no dogs, no bicycles rah-rah. Well, there was a guy who walked there with his dog and his son on a bike. So I was afoul of the sign, but this fellow was too. How would they enforce something like that? Does the Shaker 5-0 have that kind of time on their hands?</div><div> </div><div>Grade: A<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-41794054148652870412009-03-06T21:05:00.002-05:002009-03-06T21:14:02.015-05:00Brainard Road park, behind Sunview School, Lyndhurst<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46eP4vlmuMk7r4FfkZZKVgcvQhwl_5b12NUIQ_M02rl3rUdwyOeH79rH_3XwevO6MIEYNpj5d1N8DgGcUBd3Mxz27lD0sYHWPJ0XgqDANbbEtdKTlN8qAoUPiOv8E-1x8iGLg34kO1hIR/s1600-h/IMG_2954.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310261876925158930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg46eP4vlmuMk7r4FfkZZKVgcvQhwl_5b12NUIQ_M02rl3rUdwyOeH79rH_3XwevO6MIEYNpj5d1N8DgGcUBd3Mxz27lD0sYHWPJ0XgqDANbbEtdKTlN8qAoUPiOv8E-1x8iGLg34kO1hIR/s400/IMG_2954.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifewfYkigjjIDYI5Di29coJIyqlsY518tt8XTTs__O2BKJAI3PcSdEKER-UHQrdVibb22syJ_5nNVwC4N0ld-Zqp3tILUj-hjdJ_3ncFBakGLdn4_2_8hgFXLtE4nLlUxiO8woJKiaM8t8/s1600-h/IMG_2955.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310261866241756242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifewfYkigjjIDYI5Di29coJIyqlsY518tt8XTTs__O2BKJAI3PcSdEKER-UHQrdVibb22syJ_5nNVwC4N0ld-Zqp3tILUj-hjdJ_3ncFBakGLdn4_2_8hgFXLtE4nLlUxiO8woJKiaM8t8/s400/IMG_2955.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmeoTBPREwD077zdaNlMfdHfGEBm3QAi2XI2IrODaVhouxBPCn1d8jDapyYSyWJxzRasbMknOEH6zayqWXpW3f2K4rOmIYO_X_DE12XoMIB6ZyFC-KD-UpJBL3RKnjnYRykdsUYMFm7Dg/s1600-h/IMG_2952.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310261857328869474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmeoTBPREwD077zdaNlMfdHfGEBm3QAi2XI2IrODaVhouxBPCn1d8jDapyYSyWJxzRasbMknOEH6zayqWXpW3f2K4rOmIYO_X_DE12XoMIB6ZyFC-KD-UpJBL3RKnjnYRykdsUYMFm7Dg/s400/IMG_2952.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4Qh0LppjnABt90S3nGg8AtXJTYryrAQkZXAwcH8oYSbDFm7OdZ4vObnSBu5dkWIulMeC7SMJfRIvLPpaONdtocDrdcm0hwD-VkSXyCb1pPdsc_ZIuPQMhXHHujbtK5pqiv5-Sv8vMPHW/s1600-h/IMG_2951.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5310261846287980930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ4Qh0LppjnABt90S3nGg8AtXJTYryrAQkZXAwcH8oYSbDFm7OdZ4vObnSBu5dkWIulMeC7SMJfRIvLPpaONdtocDrdcm0hwD-VkSXyCb1pPdsc_ZIuPQMhXHHujbtK5pqiv5-Sv8vMPHW/s400/IMG_2951.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Where: Between Meadow Wood Roads and Cedar Road, Lyndhurst</div><div>What: This is a community area that also has baseball diamonds and a pool. The parking lot is in the front of the pool area and you have to walk back behind the pool to get to this play area. Sunview School is adjacent to the west.</div><div> </div><div>What's good: There are two climbers, petite and full-sized. The one geared for ages 5-12 features prominently in photo 1 (above). The tubes are killer, but little kids would slide right into the pit of the tube and then not be able to crawl out. The small climber is much better for smaller children, even those who are four or five. Good toddler swings (even though there are only 2)....they are a good height. There is also a pavilion snack area and a sandbox. The whiparound doesn't really "whip" so much as dawdle, but the twins were still a little woozy afterward.</div><div> </div><div>Not good: The parking situation is a little weird in that there is no immediately adjacent parking that I could see. If a meltdown occurs you'd have to drag said meltdowner around the whole pool kicking and screaming. No fun there. I can imagine a brave youngster attempting those tubes and panicking because he couldn't crawl out. Other than that, this park is win.</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Grade: A<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-21572035557245011842009-02-12T00:15:00.002-05:002009-02-12T00:19:50.648-05:00Spring is springing.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uPiFTA7A8t1H64VmOeE7Ea3xD7urUmcTe5vdNc3V08ls9FopK93qh8qdYy-cBTjwAkt2-xUXRFmSj69kMpKtNd1et9oyQLHGI4Kr802ogNSUb2c4hY6XSHh5VqZV-kM576MS9IjLso40/s1600-h/IMG_2833.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301776122004248706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uPiFTA7A8t1H64VmOeE7Ea3xD7urUmcTe5vdNc3V08ls9FopK93qh8qdYy-cBTjwAkt2-xUXRFmSj69kMpKtNd1et9oyQLHGI4Kr802ogNSUb2c4hY6XSHh5VqZV-kM576MS9IjLso40/s400/IMG_2833.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAzzgGDdKpcseR8QHHP1Ji0tiH4-1hACN_FEv9g2ouGlIh06H7I9yIIApTjuI8rE2y5TWbXr8tK0JyjLii63lKv-sDdfi-Yv8KZ418UoQDjcm1Gs5bjrCQ5l6z8x8OiWKm4LoLNSCc2m7/s1600-h/IMG_2837.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301776116591740242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAzzgGDdKpcseR8QHHP1Ji0tiH4-1hACN_FEv9g2ouGlIh06H7I9yIIApTjuI8rE2y5TWbXr8tK0JyjLii63lKv-sDdfi-Yv8KZ418UoQDjcm1Gs5bjrCQ5l6z8x8OiWKm4LoLNSCc2m7/s400/IMG_2837.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxubEtLC8YkN3_HfrXchJE4hH1NvXLz1dbcFllt_WVEc2YEQVD2iveM3-xT1vcMZR-yPJjRXOG9XnBwLxsqEwh3z90ACTVtLlbrET_xyiw4i6WvVCLWPmxHwgcOAhvXkOgzDaCoHFHAA2/s1600-h/IMG_2832.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5301776109800880450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxubEtLC8YkN3_HfrXchJE4hH1NvXLz1dbcFllt_WVEc2YEQVD2iveM3-xT1vcMZR-yPJjRXOG9XnBwLxsqEwh3z90ACTVtLlbrET_xyiw4i6WvVCLWPmxHwgcOAhvXkOgzDaCoHFHAA2/s400/IMG_2832.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div>Well, we haven't had a post on this blog for a while because, well, it's winter in Ohio. But even that ends after a fashion, and we look forward to more postings about more parks. In the meantime, enjoy these winter picnic scenes from a familiar place.</div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-91956343954457036752008-10-26T20:00:00.002-04:002008-10-26T20:13:16.864-04:00Quarry North, corner of Belvoir and Monticello, South Euclid, OH<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l-u58je8BwZRAhk8UNmwe8bhnF53iJfITm-EZn25U5blLq0JGflU4Qm6xCxWdjCBS89y2igt4nEU7y5PvWG0HEGZzqQT4Gu9KFrdrS3f63ssQIZaQymuL_cziJFUcTTnQI0Rtu-U75Zr/s1600-h/IMG_2077.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261617822018947666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9l-u58je8BwZRAhk8UNmwe8bhnF53iJfITm-EZn25U5blLq0JGflU4Qm6xCxWdjCBS89y2igt4nEU7y5PvWG0HEGZzqQT4Gu9KFrdrS3f63ssQIZaQymuL_cziJFUcTTnQI0Rtu-U75Zr/s320/IMG_2077.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj232tdGEOGRce6Xj-ejFe0m8CVN666svHB2Q0R9f3gn1sqWj11jvZKZTNh4mQgSC3oWgGaM1FuT3uCsr7Z9167ZnCs5tSkpKnkFeJUVY7q1ZCvfE9HoJS_5iTBqqrMKVEFw5jGwrceyXJi/s1600-h/IMG_2076.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261617806047709378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj232tdGEOGRce6Xj-ejFe0m8CVN666svHB2Q0R9f3gn1sqWj11jvZKZTNh4mQgSC3oWgGaM1FuT3uCsr7Z9167ZnCs5tSkpKnkFeJUVY7q1ZCvfE9HoJS_5iTBqqrMKVEFw5jGwrceyXJi/s320/IMG_2076.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qki7tftES8T8zEu35eOE1KUI3FrNKrRlaKLxycLFGQP2j6veY4h-K3cGQLjmvSI-jjdG65R95VwfSzOz-G3_dI4QckCkUlrmrV-ecH3JnjV2OYz9rp9oBP-ht4py4lmEpg5MHWB8WBtm/s1600-h/IMG_2082.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261617800809145186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2qki7tftES8T8zEu35eOE1KUI3FrNKrRlaKLxycLFGQP2j6veY4h-K3cGQLjmvSI-jjdG65R95VwfSzOz-G3_dI4QckCkUlrmrV-ecH3JnjV2OYz9rp9oBP-ht4py4lmEpg5MHWB8WBtm/s320/IMG_2082.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru66tbZXM6_OuRBGUU_M2W1qL8tj8T2NWF9hjGjVPtk4MpvtxWTOTr-uYDvTiRt7FJ2kVJR7Hmq2OvkBt4Zlv7E1omGGHYxmAxgDpJIJ3zCBKBpk2-AUO_FPsd5juyRKlGeWfIbvABeT0/s1600-h/IMG_2074.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261617787998088722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiru66tbZXM6_OuRBGUU_M2W1qL8tj8T2NWF9hjGjVPtk4MpvtxWTOTr-uYDvTiRt7FJ2kVJR7Hmq2OvkBt4Zlv7E1omGGHYxmAxgDpJIJ3zCBKBpk2-AUO_FPsd5juyRKlGeWfIbvABeT0/s320/IMG_2074.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH8aJO0uQSkKtw_lQ61piuEr_E6nUz8h8cBdSuX481ZLEUYgUAKOXbPDc4sJ6DCGszVlrdS-v2-DVTQj6__vCkoUihyphenhypheno59mlcgwo9oIr2z4BZ0Q_5kK6spbd5K9nl-mgk2jcR2SKnHJMf/s1600-h/IMG_2091.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5261617781679719074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaH8aJO0uQSkKtw_lQ61piuEr_E6nUz8h8cBdSuX481ZLEUYgUAKOXbPDc4sJ6DCGszVlrdS-v2-DVTQj6__vCkoUihyphenhypheno59mlcgwo9oIr2z4BZ0Q_5kK6spbd5K9nl-mgk2jcR2SKnHJMf/s320/IMG_2091.JPG" border="0" /></a> We found this by accident. With the leaves falling, we were able to see beyond the the Dog Park in the front of the property. What a find! </div><div> </div><div>What's good: a fenced in toddler climber, lots of fresh wood chips, a snack pavilion, a bigger-kid old school style climber series (it's treated lumber instead of a plastic), excellent parking, toilets, and it's right next to this excellent looking "wader pool with sprinklers" thing that I am totally checking out next summer. The green twisty slide in the toddler area has just enough go to make kids feel like they're on an adventure--as you can see by Ellie's boot in the air, she had some torque going.</div><div> </div><div>What's bad: the toilets are not open in the winter. Bummer if you're like me and drink a lot of coffee. The big kid climber is a little daunting, and the yellow slide on it has some serious zip to it and is a little high off the ground--Ellie fell off at the end. </div><div> </div><div>Overall grade: A- (a little kid could really get a bruise off that yellow slide)<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-46441488756735400362008-09-21T21:07:00.002-04:002008-09-21T21:14:13.140-04:00Martin Park--3900 King's Mill Run, Rocky River<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-Pe9UOwfXV3R0yIZ5tTR118aYz67Uy8yLW4mZl-D4vPwFUc6RnJ4Bun2Rf1G3PqyaJayHWB5My6tO8zxZfDmprWD58wGEr5ojEvUDIrZ2UiOi_D2wVb4LPd-51G904TZNSrn3RCB4b0s/s1600-h/IMAG0030.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248646957915351090" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg-Pe9UOwfXV3R0yIZ5tTR118aYz67Uy8yLW4mZl-D4vPwFUc6RnJ4Bun2Rf1G3PqyaJayHWB5My6tO8zxZfDmprWD58wGEr5ojEvUDIrZ2UiOi_D2wVb4LPd-51G904TZNSrn3RCB4b0s/s320/IMAG0030.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3QqJHW_XLejax_Jxf2sAvg4g7lR9t9imOnfbGo0T5fpXC_ZFPS1b1u1BECaIy71N30XuW6SxlWQCr-mUSuGKVFBpgZYUXArshWXceVts68j0bztbx35FkYFeYrk9c7J5u7YCrEVrZ4zi/s1600-h/IMAG0032.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248646963488770338" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn3QqJHW_XLejax_Jxf2sAvg4g7lR9t9imOnfbGo0T5fpXC_ZFPS1b1u1BECaIy71N30XuW6SxlWQCr-mUSuGKVFBpgZYUXArshWXceVts68j0bztbx35FkYFeYrk9c7J5u7YCrEVrZ4zi/s320/IMAG0032.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ShGeCXe11yir-ga-jkKpWKGzVzmamwBfRtPITISMu_7gbWQirkTkEVBzi7lxuM6vnKq656tvDQidGe6BW33HtW6HAzihEuv5omIO7ExfqngF654TZQqzaBiU5dfbocO-6wPpzPWDOb44/s1600-h/IMAG0033.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248646967921446178" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ShGeCXe11yir-ga-jkKpWKGzVzmamwBfRtPITISMu_7gbWQirkTkEVBzi7lxuM6vnKq656tvDQidGe6BW33HtW6HAzihEuv5omIO7ExfqngF654TZQqzaBiU5dfbocO-6wPpzPWDOb44/s320/IMAG0033.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomNh7nsIT_-tTtC36mQrogXHA6lHqLTmX4i59wRBwb9aiOMCJqXBobTL8YTykEGjkNI-Nj7s-NIBWDtZK072c7FvipVuFBy8rnlCesRP5qmxWmMavsW1k6DK1QegATfzr09wRrcc5hJ7M/s1600-h/IMAG0035.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248646964845810722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgomNh7nsIT_-tTtC36mQrogXHA6lHqLTmX4i59wRBwb9aiOMCJqXBobTL8YTykEGjkNI-Nj7s-NIBWDtZK072c7FvipVuFBy8rnlCesRP5qmxWmMavsW1k6DK1QegATfzr09wRrcc5hJ7M/s320/IMAG0035.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>This park is in Rocky River and it's bordered by King's Mill Run and Martin's Way of Center Ridge Road. I couldn't find it again but Bill's cousin Andy and her husband Brian live in the neighborhood. The day we went was rainy, but the kids didn't care.</div><div> </div><div>What's good: Totally enclosed. Parking is close by, but it's set back in a housing development so there's zero traffic. Toddler climber and big climber. Lots of motor planning activities--steps, little stairs, balancers. Good slides. Pavilion for snacks. </div><div> </div><div>What's bad: NO SHADE. In the summer, you'd be roasting by eleven. Other than that, this one is a winner.</div><div> </div><div> Grade: A-</div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-72666356305886181582008-09-21T20:25:00.003-04:002008-09-21T20:37:56.956-04:00Cumberland Park Playground, Cleveland Heights<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHPXpj3o3KjRYnYUwCgCdHt3JBS7zVE2Njpspqto6iOpombxMvQqVU8rn-7k-432gavNcX1phpg-WMxc_aPCfLZJYfAQTWV_NNCnaSQUXRFBfByg0dMrVUEsJg9A1KExciIWRjw3oQDA5/s1600-h/IMG_1958.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248636559389603618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHPXpj3o3KjRYnYUwCgCdHt3JBS7zVE2Njpspqto6iOpombxMvQqVU8rn-7k-432gavNcX1phpg-WMxc_aPCfLZJYfAQTWV_NNCnaSQUXRFBfByg0dMrVUEsJg9A1KExciIWRjw3oQDA5/s320/IMG_1958.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa-I6CWQXbyZM6SNulq3zCuQ1R57PzgwiawPzWp91u5PvcflEV8Ut6BBb6KgatOtDRf7f67as0o3Aq94NBbK-c-VGFCO6FWvaPmF3swZpMiigHagRELERa85sni2pyZ5j0_hK6P3TcTRn/s1600-h/IMG_1954.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248636572689606834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYa-I6CWQXbyZM6SNulq3zCuQ1R57PzgwiawPzWp91u5PvcflEV8Ut6BBb6KgatOtDRf7f67as0o3Aq94NBbK-c-VGFCO6FWvaPmF3swZpMiigHagRELERa85sni2pyZ5j0_hK6P3TcTRn/s320/IMG_1954.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw0QBZo5jDTrnn3vPaBk1dCcRxjk8A8dHaphIcuU3u7vkMYJFq7dAPa0H1DkdzB90vbP5RhGGafkD0UtOi_ip-zO3Kji6AuXrW9UC4H3Xm5NnmTMFR6azkVldkcqyqqRKGl35K9sGabad/s1600-h/IMG_1959.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248636579918556946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCw0QBZo5jDTrnn3vPaBk1dCcRxjk8A8dHaphIcuU3u7vkMYJFq7dAPa0H1DkdzB90vbP5RhGGafkD0UtOi_ip-zO3Kji6AuXrW9UC4H3Xm5NnmTMFR6azkVldkcqyqqRKGl35K9sGabad/s320/IMG_1959.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5vF_D3WKqH-_Gs7C_ZoVIrTxSdi3wHgFHcveZY-yK_F3BzUU8DZU2i7nU-YGtH19Ls9N99Kul6ix5_wqtbJeA6X-AvFHsUjLoJKrKKCFcIHx0uQsRWoIp9lBFXMHZ0gV1Xw0p0IB5pS5/s1600-h/IMG_1951.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248636584041237666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio5vF_D3WKqH-_Gs7C_ZoVIrTxSdi3wHgFHcveZY-yK_F3BzUU8DZU2i7nU-YGtH19Ls9N99Kul6ix5_wqtbJeA6X-AvFHsUjLoJKrKKCFcIHx0uQsRWoIp9lBFXMHZ0gV1Xw0p0IB5pS5/s320/IMG_1951.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>I found this seemingly hidden gem just the other day as I took Cumberland Road towards Mayfield. The pool is on Cumberland, and it has tennis courts and basketball as well. But in the park, just after the pool, is this treasure. Wide open, shaded, lots of room. I've lived in the Heights for six years and never knew it was here. Bad me.</div><div></div><div>How to get there, first of all: There is no parking. You have to either park at the pool and schlep over, or do what we did: Take Superior off Mayfield and turn left on Hampshire. Make a hard left onto Preyer, which is a dead end. If you park on Preyer you can walk in on the city vehicles entrance (third photo from top). </div><div></div><div>What's good: look at that shade! You'll have shade until about noon. There's a nearby pavilion and a potty (which Bill described as "odious") but any port in a storm. There's also a picnic table at between the swings and the climber. The climber has a rock wall, lots of slides, a bridge, and several types of monkey bars. There's a sandbox pit as well. There are four toddler swings plus big kid swings. Plenty of run room.</div><div></div><div>What's bad: Parking on Preyer is annoying, but since it's a dead end, you don't have to worry about a lot of cars zooming past you as you haul kids out of the car. </div><div> </div><div>Grade: B+</div><div></div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-23391842681869024952008-09-21T20:16:00.002-04:002008-09-21T20:24:45.532-04:00Kenilworth Park, Corner of Overlook and Kenilworth, Cleve. Hts.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG0LfWZDyreDP9UkC5HPI1A6Rva8aciwgb4Jegiq78fBs3VXJsBv6q7hP9ll-J35Kja8jWjBUH4DV-AnhJUUc1N1VNVhqNkprgohNmUXyfjStP1Z5wr6lC6kV6YSyAjHp5kor7RtUp6HG/s1600-h/IMG_1907.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248633817512751474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG0LfWZDyreDP9UkC5HPI1A6Rva8aciwgb4Jegiq78fBs3VXJsBv6q7hP9ll-J35Kja8jWjBUH4DV-AnhJUUc1N1VNVhqNkprgohNmUXyfjStP1Z5wr6lC6kV6YSyAjHp5kor7RtUp6HG/s320/IMG_1907.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWySRB2etqyhoYEFZKvsRbr3DZEFL3WwV1mvoodkbQxoeV_gvxPb-6-7T_nTDbduIiyoyMVk71-_SuyCelTxWyfQBANKoSPSG7Zmm_slNDfVUpGbtp7FqUv9JptCyDsVfUiU4RkWFp63Io/s1600-h/IMG_1909.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248633822548450418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWySRB2etqyhoYEFZKvsRbr3DZEFL3WwV1mvoodkbQxoeV_gvxPb-6-7T_nTDbduIiyoyMVk71-_SuyCelTxWyfQBANKoSPSG7Zmm_slNDfVUpGbtp7FqUv9JptCyDsVfUiU4RkWFp63Io/s320/IMG_1909.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMi5if7ieATenqNOcoMmUpyv0dtIBshSTSrTnj1On4ZhUNHyPqzTTxhl0ZR8_VyIugJUBux_iFKww3d_B88o-NhEk_20a1ZVysTO1Yo31HUKG9kiBxaabVaTfw4_ENFd2zUfMT8JeiM444/s1600-h/IMG_1910.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248633833598653442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMi5if7ieATenqNOcoMmUpyv0dtIBshSTSrTnj1On4ZhUNHyPqzTTxhl0ZR8_VyIugJUBux_iFKww3d_B88o-NhEk_20a1ZVysTO1Yo31HUKG9kiBxaabVaTfw4_ENFd2zUfMT8JeiM444/s320/IMG_1910.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>Here's a few things about Kenilworth you need to know right off the bat. It's literally one block away from the famous Turtle Park, so I don't think it gets a lot of play. There are only two toddler swings. There aren't often shared toys left in the sand pit like at Turtle. Even so, I think Kenilworth has benefits.</div><div> </div><div>What's good: there's a couple benches to sit on. There is shade, which is nice. The climber has big and small slides, and a twisty slide (of course). It's fenced in on the street side, and parking is ample and immediately adjacent. </div><div> </div><div>What's not great: two toddler swings only, as previously noted. I mention this twice because I have three kids who like to swing, and taking turns is not often their forte. I haven't noticed a ton of kids there, meaning, we're often there alone. Having your own private playground is okay once in a while, but my kids are social animals. No water fountain. I also don't like that adults use the path nearby as a cut-through to their apartments on Overlook. I realize they have an easement, but it still freaks me out a little.</div><div> </div><div>Grade: B</div>sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8204529493433470852.post-32236664083781434152008-08-26T22:26:00.002-04:002008-08-26T22:36:01.827-04:00Cleveland Metropark Zoo, "Fulton" area<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb8OaH4SMDfIqA0j1WlCqpnDdKHOjWQd2cJvBe4f90d76iXhEeyKqb8wCxg73SATrJK4NyFuP8G8oxxJSGNPWsB4RXSTCmjSBl0qZikrFC_3WlYVsb2LwkxBBfH99rvWkcK6EvhFdffIw/s1600-h/IMG_1819.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239018754468207058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgb8OaH4SMDfIqA0j1WlCqpnDdKHOjWQd2cJvBe4f90d76iXhEeyKqb8wCxg73SATrJK4NyFuP8G8oxxJSGNPWsB4RXSTCmjSBl0qZikrFC_3WlYVsb2LwkxBBfH99rvWkcK6EvhFdffIw/s320/IMG_1819.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6yA2eLrKvV-ffBYUGyM471hU3zsegJEg4qJci2FDWXYfSwz7pw0W4-HxG8iMfw9muU4MsmwSa7qpGhKf-1cQJPfzCm66BCRI7UvWDOoHC7JcKx_yd47jvlyqgPywiF0MGQ4ZyJBUluco/s1600-h/IMG_1820.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239018756699537874" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6yA2eLrKvV-ffBYUGyM471hU3zsegJEg4qJci2FDWXYfSwz7pw0W4-HxG8iMfw9muU4MsmwSa7qpGhKf-1cQJPfzCm66BCRI7UvWDOoHC7JcKx_yd47jvlyqgPywiF0MGQ4ZyJBUluco/s320/IMG_1820.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUWXYEmw0QT0-dAtLfFNE4kzarzOruVv0b_qft9_ABkAtg800URnZPW6RXUP1EfzTAfbvFL3YGNIYJd9JDTvnAS8-6uSTwSP4l13sZWlRc6lgAM1hKyX8g8TpK68G4gc-XJLOpISQ2KW8/s1600-h/IMG_1821.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239018764470169026" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; CURSOR: hand" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCUWXYEmw0QT0-dAtLfFNE4kzarzOruVv0b_qft9_ABkAtg800URnZPW6RXUP1EfzTAfbvFL3YGNIYJd9JDTvnAS8-6uSTwSP4l13sZWlRc6lgAM1hKyX8g8TpK68G4gc-XJLOpISQ2KW8/s320/IMG_1821.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Cleveland Metropark Zoo has a nice playround in the upper Fulton area next to the Primate/Aquatics building. <br /><br />What's good: The play structures are from Rainbow and are clean, colorful and exciting for children. Fresh chips. Bathrooms and snacks nearby. Shade abundant around for resting, eating, diaper changes, etc. Kids are abundant--great for socializing.<br /><br />What's bad: Getting there. You have two options. One is to take the bus up the hill, which is fine, but if you have strollers, you have to take the kids out of the buggies, fold up the stollers, and hold the kids on the tram. Not workable for us--the triple doesn't fit on the bus and the kids are too wiggly besides. If we have the double it's just a pain to mess with it. The other option is walking the ramp that comes up from the Australia section of the zoo. This should not be attempted in hot weather, if you're pregnant, or if you're pushing a triple stroller with 80 pounds of children inside. It's a nice walk, but man, you feel it the next day.<br /><br />Grade: B+ (the walk is really no joke.)sarah manville gannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680682198486352509noreply@blogger.com0