playparks

Here were my goals for this summer:

• Create a "park inventory" spreadsheet detailing the 200+ parks on my blog and which ones I've added to KaBOOM's Map of Play. This will help me keep track of which parks are on the Map of Play (some of my listings were complete, some were missing photos from a bulk upload, some were new to the map).


• Visit at least ONE new-to-us playground a week, especially focusing on the ones missing from my index for South Orange County. (We ended up visiting 20 new parks in 12 weeks.)


• Post a new playground to my blog every weekday in August. These posts take 3-4 hours when you include the time to: choose a park, PLAY at and photograph the park, upload and edit the photos, find resource links to city websites, sometimes create video slideshows, map it on my blog's playground map, write the blog post, and add the park to KaBOOM. So with 23 weekdays in August -- that made for at least a 70+ hour commitment just for the last month of the challenge.


• Play outside every day - whether we visit a playground or not. There were many days that we hung out at playgrounds that are already on the map. We also spent a lot of time with free play in our community pool and just playing in the yard.

Here are our Top 5 Playgrounds from the Summer Challenge:

Arroyo Park in Newport Beach
http://playspacefinder.kaboom.org/playspaces/98919-arroyo-park
I tend to like playspaces that are right in the middle of everything, but don't feel like they're right in the middle of everything. This one is next to shopping and a major university, but most people don't know it's there. The basketball court was gorgeous!

University Community Park in Irvine
http://playspacefinder.kaboom.org/playspaces/9623-university-community-park-and-adventure-playground
I love the all-ages appeal of this playground. It also has a boulder to climb on and lots of spinning and climbing apparatus. A big boulder arch is the well-used centerpiece.

Ocean Breeze Park in Laguna Niguel
http://playspacefinder.kaboom.org/playspaces/98870-ocean-breeze-park
Ocean Breeze Park is a peaceful spot where the kids can play and the parents can see them from afar. I like that the covered picnic area and basketball court are so close to the play areas.

Eisenhower Park in Seal Beach
http://playspacefinder.kaboom.org/playspaces/99669-eisenhower-park
One of my FunOrangeCountyParks.com reader's picked this one, because: "It's always nice and cool and there is so much to do. Walking around on the pier, shopping on Main St., the beach right next to the playground, and our favorite coffee shop is there, too. It's wonderful!"

Harry Dotson Park in Stanton
http://playspacefinder.kaboom.org/playspaces/99668-harry-m-dotson-park
I don't know Stanton very well, but one of my reader's suggested this park. It's beautifully maintained and I think it's a great example of how to run a first class play place in a less affluent neighborhood.

[I second Angie's thank you's to Kerala and Jason. Always a pleasure to work with KaBOOM! You made it easy and definitely made our hard work/play feel appreciated. Big applause to those challengers who really did tackle visiting and mapping 50-100 new parks this summer! That's amazing!]

Thanks!

Angie - It's been nice getting to know you, too. I love your blog and hope you keep blogging playgrounds. You do a great job.

• Harry M. Dotson Park
• Eisenhower Park

• Harry M. Dotson Park
• Eisenhower Park

Here's my first Top 5 on my blog: Top 5 Mom Highlights from KaBOOM Park-a-Day Challenge

I will put up a list of my 5 favorites for the press release tomorrow. I just need to finish adding them to the map.

The lower level of the park features a pirate ship structure and lots of interactive features for imaginative play, along with a line of swings (4 bench, 2 baby). The upper level is full of slides, climbers, tunnels, and bright blue equipment. Lots of trees and shade providing a real woodsy feel with neat wooden bridges and rocky landscaping. Many adjacent picnic benches close to the equipment. Easy to sit still and keep an eye on your kids. Great play structure with a tall winding slide that my daughter loved. Lots of equipment for all ages. Huge grassy area for running. Large covered picnic area with grills. There’s a gas station, Albertson’s grocery store, and restaurants at the corner of Alicia and Olympiad if you need refreshments or supplies.

@emeraldperil -- playgroundchronicles is by Alex (the same guy who writes playgroundology). I'm glad you mentioned it! I also knew about swingsandroundabouts.ca but saw that it seemed to end in -09 or -10.

I almost forgot to mention the newest one I've seen which is: www.goplayinla.com for Los Angeles and Santa Clarita. I already told her about KaBOOM.

Haven't seen that one! Here's two more playground bloggers (besides the ones in the sidebar here at the Summer Challenge):
http://www.njplaygrounds.com
http://www.playgroundology.com

Does anyone have others to add to the list?

The water play is definitely a highlight. So bring your kids ready to get splashed and maybe “muddy” with sand. The water feature is a knee-high channel running over what looks like a tidepool. Press a button on the nearby post and water comes trickling down and ends in a puddle in the sand. FUN! I loved how compact the park felt. It was great for watching multiple children. You could stand in one place and see everything.There’s a low fence outside the play equipment that discourages the kids from running towards the sidewalk or cars. They have those “shower head” rotating wheels that I love near a fun little playhouse. Nautical feel carries through the playground with climbers and themed fence surrounding the street side. The odd-shaped climbers were fun, but some were too far away from the platform for my daughter to reach without assistance. Shade from trees and benches to watch the kids.

Thanks for input from all of you. I was just worried I wasn't doing it right. Sounds like we'd all like a bulk uploader for photos - and easy way to enter all the info without having to change tabs. Good to hear things are in the works, Jason! It's way better than when I first started and I'm sure it will get better as the years go by.

Shipwreck Park in Dana Point paints a ghostly scene with it’s tattered sails flapping in the wind and crow’s nest glowing at sunset. Bordered by authentic ship’s railings, the sandbox is this little park’s main attraction. The sandbox is so cool with a crow’s nest rising from the mast. Drop down a level to the playground structures where caregivers can sit along the concrete wall to see the children playing. One bench swing, one baby swing. Seating for parents.

Beautiful view of the lake and Saddleback Peak. Playground is colorful and the sand is white and fine. A really nice structure with benches placed around the play area. Pedestals to navigate and a sit-and-spin type spinner. A tunnel slide and twisty slide. Big grass area for running. Lots of opportunities for climbing. Monkey bars that look like wheels with spokes. They spin as you go across – providing a little extra challenge. The park is surrounded by flowering bushes and trees. 2 bench swings, 2 baby swings.

A colorful park situated away from the street. It’s partially fenced, so the kids tend to stick to the play area. It has tic-tac-toe and fire engine play panels. There is a ride-on seahorse and motorcycle for “races.” 2 bench swings (no baby swings). Bring sand toys to play in the sand. Nice views of the surrounding hills of Laguna Niguel. Lush grassy area for running, kite flying, kicking around a soccer ball, or frisbee.

• Beacon Hill Park
• Vista Del Lago Park
• Alicia Park

• University Community Park and Adventure Playground
• Beacon Hill Park
• Vista Del Lago Park
• Alicia Park
• Belmont Park
• Shipwreck Park

The playground is beautiful with mostly recycled rubber surfaces and shade cover. It works for all ages. My older son had fun on the spinning equipment and rock climbing — while my younger daughter loved the low-to-the-ground monkey bars. It’s easy to see the kids from all angles — and there is a low wall to sit on and watch the action or shelter under the shade near the picnic tables.