Cleveland Metropark Zoo, "Fulton" area

The Cleveland Metropark Zoo has a nice playround in the upper Fulton area next to the Primate/Aquatics building.

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.

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.

Grade: B+ (the walk is really no joke.)

Parma Heights "Greenbriar" Community Center, Ohio

Where: Pearl Road, Parma Heights. Within the enclave of Greenbriar Commons, Parma Heights' community center (and my old stomping grounds).

What: When I was growing up, this was the pool-putt putt-generic play area for the city. The putt putt course was awesome, and the play area was hard core--this incredibly lumpy, hot metal slide, these weird cement tubes that you could climb in and crawl through (my uncle got arrested in one smoking pot)...and of course, the ubiquitous merry go round, which would whip you off and break your arm without thinking twice. No more.

What's good: Now there's soft chips and a massive climbing structure. Swings are excellent. Lots of opportunity to climb, slide, wiggle, and run--safely. Fairly contained--the tennis courts, swimming pool and old ice rink frame the area.

What's bad: I sort of miss the ruggedness, the 70's-ness of the old playground. This new one is sure modern. There's still not a speck of shade anywhere--what is with bald sun playgrounds?

Grade: B+ (would be an A, but I'm feeling nostalgic for the old one).

Mayfield Village, Parkview Pool and grounds

What: The Mayfield Village community pool and playgrounds, just past Highland Road on SOM Center Road (91).

http://www.mayfieldvillage.com/pool_web_2008/pool_2008.html

What's good: Great climbers, including a large one with lots of tunnels and a pint-size one. Excellent swings with a nice view of the diving pool for cheap entertainment. Sand pit. Covered pavilions for snacks. Bathrooms! That you can use! Free, close parking. Soft surface.

What's bad: When the pool calls rest period, the big kids come out and aren't always aware of their surroundings...little kids can get mashed pretty easily if you aren't diligent. But in the morning before the pool opens, it's practically a private playground.

Grade: A

Playground World, Chesterland, OH

What: The indoor showroom for Rainbow Play Systems on Mayfield Road in Chesterland.

When: Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 10-11, kids can play free on all the equipment in the showroom.

What's good: Well, it's try before you buy, which we're not doing, because our yard is too small. However, I thought it would be good for the girls to have some climbing time, because it looked like rain. Everything is well built, of course, lots to do, swings, climbing, an enclosed trampoline, playhouses, some Step 2 stuff for toddlers, pretend play in the back.

What's bad: What's bad is the droves of middle schoolers who showed up at 10:15 and were completely unsupervised by their so called parents, who sat and drank coffee while their progeny ran over little kids and refused to take turns on anything. One kid had been in the trampoline for about 10 minutes. Ellie was freaking out because she had waited very patiently and kept saying, It's time for a turn! I said to him, Hey bud, why don't you finish your turn so someone else can go? At which point he smirked and said, You're not my mom. Well, there it is. We left at 10:30 and went to a park.

Grade: A for equipment, F for overall useability and sanity. Until the big kids are back in school, we won't go near it.

Twinsburg Park, Ravenna Road, Twinsburg, OH

This park is the site of the annual Twins Days Festival, which is the first weekend of August.

What's good: Two climbers, one big, one pint. Excellent pavilions and benches, lots of shade. Clean bathrooms! With plenty of toilets for the ladies! Nice swing sites, meaning there are several swingsets and some are big kid, some are toddler. Climbers are newer and emphasize lots of skills (balance, motor planning, sliding, steps).

What's bad: It's hard to find if you haven't been before. You have to park at the community center and wander up into the woods a bit. However, you can't beat the trees for lots of shade and comfort, and it's worth the drive (easiest way: Richmond Road to Ravenna Road).

Grade: A.