any good toddler parks?

[amahrey]

i have a two year-old and am looking for a toddler sized playground for him. maybe something with slides, swings and climby things that isn't full of gaps 10' off the ground? we have been to zuck park, the park by the zoo, and frontier park and think they're ok, but still not quite what i was looking for.

any ideas of great place to take toddlers outside around erie?

thanks :)

[amahrey]

hmmm, we are actually out tuesday and wednesday mornings for dr. appointments. maybe next time? also, we are thinking about checking out liberty park playground maybe monday- i can let you know about that...

[Amanda Mah]

Hey girls! Parker and I went for a walk down by the bay near the Pepsi Amphitheater today and found there is a very large newer park there which was very nice. I have also taken Parker to liberty park and it is nice too, it would be a very nice area to live in : )

[amahrey]

hmm, i thought the one by the ampitheatre was called liberty park- that was actually the one i meant. now i'm going to have to figure out where liberty park is i guess...

[Amanda Mah]

Oh! I am sorry I wrote the wrong name I meant Frontier Park it is on West 6th Street (Seminole if you are coming from West 8th Street they are one in the same) between Bayfront and Greengarden Blvd. This is a nice park that has tennis courts adjacent to it.

[Amanda Mah]

I guess you've already been to Frontier Park...

[marnie]

Here's an article by Heather Cass

Remember the concrete tubes, scorching metal slides and "witch's hat" you played on -- er, flew off -- when you were a kid? How could you forget? You're still bearing the scars, right?
Perhaps you're smiling right now, too, because while the equipment might not have been entirely safe, it was a lot of fun.

Playgrounds have had a special place in the heart and history of every American kid since the first public playground in the country was constructed in New York City in 1903. Since then, generations of kids have faced their fears, learned to share and gave their bodies -- and lungs -- a workout on playgrounds that, today, can be found in many municipalities and behind nearly every elementary school.

Of course, playgrounds have undergone several waves of renovation. Gone are the teeter totters, monkey bars and concrete-pad playgrounds of yore. They've been replaced by safer, more durable, plastic play structures with several inches of foam or bark padding to provide a pain-free landing for kids and a worry-free playground experience for parents.

As summer draws to a close, maybe a playground excursion to a new spot is in order for your family. Here are a few of our favorites, some of which even have a remnant or two of playgrounds past that are sure to make you nostalgic.

1. Shades Beach playground

Where: 7200 East Lake Road, Harborcreek

A large, modern playground with slides and plenty of climbing fun. There's a big structure for older kids and a smaller one especially for toddlers. They even have a couple of spring "animals" anchored into the ground for bouncing fun.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Restrooms? Yes (nice, new bathroom house)

Swings? Yes; both regular and infant swings

Sun? Full sun -- slather on the sunscreen

Why we love it: Shades Beach is nearby, but not so close that you have to worry about the kids' safety. Drive or walk down to the beach (about 1/4 mile) and enjoy some sand time, skip stones or catch a sunset; note that no swimming is allowed.

Contact: Call 899-3171 or www.harborcreektownship.org.

2. Greene Township playground

Where: 9333 Tate Road, Greene Township at the municipal building

An old-school, wooden playground -- the kind that were popular in the late 1970s and early '80s -- with tire bridges, truck tire hideaways, slides and hiding places galore (perfect for playground tag). They even have an old-fashioned metal, four-person bouncer that parents might enjoy as much as the kids.

Hours: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Restrooms? Yes, (nice, new ones) but be aware they are locked when the park is closed

Swings? Yes; both regular and infant swings

Sun? Full sun -- slather on the sunscreen; parents can find a shady spot to sit, though.

Why we love it: It's huge and fun. There are also baseball/soccer/football fields and a basketball court nearby.

Wash up: Many of the older wood playgrounds were made with some pressure-treated lumber that was later found to contain hazardous chemicals. Greene Township Supervisor Linda Cagnoli said the playground is regularly coated with oil, which reduces chemical exposure. For further protection, be sure kids wash their hands after playing and before they eat.

Contact: 825-3347.

3. Waterworks playground

Where: At Presque Isle State Park next to the Rotary Pavilion

Little by little, bit by bit, the good folks at the Presque Isle Partnership -- and the generous folks who donate to the cause -- have been building the most unique playground in the area with plenty of rope ladders, bridges and a diamond-shaped rope "web" no child can resist climbing to the very top. Sand, several inches thick, below, provides a soft landing for not-so-spidey-like kiddos.

Hours: Presque Isle State Park hours: sunrise to sunset

Restrooms? Yes, in the Rotary Pavilion building

Swings? A few

Sun? Dappled shade to full sun, depending on time of day

Why we love it: "It is very different from other playgrounds with all its rope-climbing structures," said Claudi Schneider, an Erie woman who often takes her six young nieces and nephews to visit area playgrounds. "It's become one of their favorites. I like it because bathrooms and picnic tables are nearby."

Contact: 833-7424 or www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/presqueisle.aspx

[amahrey]

wow thanks for the article- i am going to have google maps working overtime in the next few weeks now that i have some new places to check out. exciting!