Playground Fun!

Friday, July 8, 2011

Northside Park, Wheaton

Main entrance located at north end of West St., secondary parking at intersection of Darling St. and Armbrust Ave.

http://www.wheatonparkdistrict.com/pgs/parks/001ParkSites/northside_park.html

Information and photos for this park comes from Natalie - thanks so much! It looks like it is worth the drive to Wheaton... aside from the bathroom situation!

Here are Natalie's comments about this park:

"The area we visited was Rotary Creative Playground. Several sections to accommodate different age groups, rubber mulch, zip line, covered picnic area, water fountain, pretty big slide, large trees, plenty of parking, pond with walking trails. The bad thing is no bathroom, well there was a portable potty, however as described by Tim my husband "poop was EVERYWHERE". Angela did not want to go and I cannot blame her. I should keep a potty seat in my car for situations like this. Other than that, it was a awesome park. According to the Wheaton Park District website it is undergoing renovations. The section we visited seemed complete."

Paulus Park, Lake Zurich

Paulus Park

Rt. 12 just north of Rt. 22, Lake Zurich

http://lakezurich.patch.com/listings/henry-j-paulus-park

Yet another amazing park in the area! Thanks so much to Jodi for the suggestion. This park is located right on Lake Zurich and includes a beach, splash pad, large wooden playground, walking paths, fishing dock and many acres of other activities. Pack a lunch and go enjoy the weather!

When you turn onto Whitney Drive off of Route 12, turn left and park in the northern parking lot. It is closer to the entrance of the playground and beach. Use the other parking lot if you want to hit the skateboard park.

The playground structure is huge and can be very fun. But be prepared to lose your children, especially if you are tracking more than one! This is a large wooden structure with lots of climbing and hiding spaces. Littler kids are able to climb and play, but it is very difficult to see inside the structure from the ground. Dressing your kids in bright colors helps! Parents can go in as well, but it would be very difficult to follow in all areas for the very tall (or very pregnant.) There is a "Tot Lot" area with a smaller structure and baby swings. This side is fenced and nicely shaded in the morning.

Bathrooms are right next door to the playground in the concession stand building. The concession stand is open from 11am to 6pm.

If you would like to visit the beach and splash pad, there is a daily fee. According to the posted sign at the gatehouse, children 3 and under are free, Ages 4-17 $5, 18 and up $8. This includes entrance to both the swimming beach and splash pad (they call it a "sprayground", which I love!) The splash pad is nicely shaded and fenced. There are no strollers allowed in the beach and splash pad area, so be prepared to leave it outside the fence if you bring it.

There is also another part of the beach available for free. You can't swim, but you can make sand castles! Bring lots of sand toys - there are also two sandboxes available in the playground area. There is a fishing dock located next to this stretch of beach.

Plenty of shaded picnic spots and tables available. There are also horseshoe, bocce ball and volleyball courts as well as lots of paved walking paths around the park.

Entrance to the park from Rt. 12

Playground - View #1

Playground - View #2

Playground - View #3

Playground - View #4


Playground - Tot Lot Area

"Sprayground" - nicely shaded with soft rubber floor

View of the gatehouse and beach from the playground

Concession stand and bathrooms next to the playground. There are also showers and changing areas for the beach-goers.

Bocce courts - bring your own set, or there was a sign that bocce balls were available for rent at the Barn during regular hours.

Free beach area for sand play

Fishing dock and beach area

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Quick Pics

Here are a couple parks that were recommended, I drove by and snapped some pictures but haven't tried them yet. Let me know if you get there before we do!

Lions Park, East Dundee, Rt 68 between Rt 25 and 72

Huffman Park, Tartan Drive, West Dundee, IL

Hunters Ridge Wetland East, 1305 E. Hunters Ridge, Hoffman Estates

Festival Park, Elgin

Festival Park

Prairie St & S Grove Ave, Elgin, IL 60120

City of Elgin Website

Downtown Elgin Website

This is a beautiful park in downtown Elgin, just north of the Grand Victoria Casino, right along the Fox River. The main function of this park seems to be aesthetics, however. While the few play structures are entertaining for a short time for the kids, they seem to be there more for the artistic value.

The fountain/splash pad should be your biggest draw to come here. Be sure to bring suits or extra clothes! There is no fence separating the two areas, so your kids will probably find a way to run through the fountains whether you like it or not. I'm not sure of the hours of operation for the fountains, we found it going full blast on a Sunday morning at 8am.

There seems to be parking available on the street along Grove Ave. The park is also located right on the Fox River Trail, so it makes a really nice stop on an family bike ride. Bathrooms are located inside the building at the park and there are several picnic tables outside the building as well.

Climbing Web - this is a little challenging for the 4 year old, and the two year isn't really sure what to do with it.

Beautiful open park overlooking the river (and the casino).

View of park from the south

Spinning structures and view of building containing bathrooms

Musical Play Structure

Fountains - beware, your kids will run in these whether you plan for it or not!

Cannon Crossings, Hoffman Estates

Cannon Crossings Park

1675 Nicholson Drive, Hoffman Estates

**A big thank you to Natalie for providing the photos and details about this newly renovated park!**

This playground structure was completely replaced a few weeks ago. While there is a smaller "toddler" structure, this very cool and colorful playground seems to be geared towards kids slightly older, 5 and up. Some of the structures will give nervous mothers with adventurous kids a hard time.

There are also baseball fields, tennis courts and basketball court, there are no bathrooms available nearby. There is also another playground at Timber Trails elementary school.

Itasca Water Park

Itasca Waterpark

100 North Catalpa, Itasca IL

http://www.itasca.com/index.aspx?NID=86

A little break from the "dry" playgrounds, I had to share this waterpark playground that my kids enjoyed so much today. On Monday thru Friday from 9:30am to 12pm, the Itasca Waterpark has the kiddie pool open for $4 a person, kids under 2 are free. Be sure to check around for coupons, I found a 2 for 1 available in the Oaklee's Guide.

But this isn't just a kiddie pool, it is a water-filled playground structure! Very similar to the structures you find in the large indoor waterparks, your kids will splash, slide and play. There are water squirters, water falls, slides, a tunnel and lots of fountains. Although the pool has a zero depth area at one end, be aware that some parts are a little deeper than expected, especially at the bottom of the twisty slide. Some people also brought their own water toys - buckets, watering cans, balls, etc. But you won't be lacking for things to do without them!

There are many shady lounge chairs around the side of the pool area, but get there early because the shade does seem to fill up quickly. Concessions and picnic tables were also available off to the side, but I'm not sure if you can bring in your own food. Parking was free and changing rooms/bathrooms were smaller than expected, but sufficient.

Citizens Park, Barrington

Citizens Park, Barrington
511 Lake Zurich Road, (at Route 14) Barrington, IL 60010

http://barringtonparkdistrict.org/Parks-Facilities/Citizens-Park-information.htm

Another huge, wonderful park for you to enjoy with your children. This is a 45 acre park that offers a wide variety of things to do- tennis, hiking, posing for gorgeous pictures. There is also a large, open field that would be perfect for kite flying (or just letting your kids run around like crazy.) Parking is free and widely available.

The playground structure is nice, newer and very accessible for kids of all ages. There are nice canopies on top that offer some shade to the equipment and there are nice benches around the playground... if you are able to sit down!

The ground of the play area is recycled rubber mulch, which was soft and springy for the kids. However, be aware that it is dirty and you will probably go home with some black streaks on skin and/or clothing. Don't wear your Sunday best!

Bathrooms are clean and nice, located on the far side of the building just to the north, only a short walk from the playground structure . I have to give them extra credit for having stools at the bathroom sinks - always a favorite detail of mine!

Definitely pack a picnic lunch and eat at the "Treehouse." I originally thought this was another play structure, but it is primarily a special event location and scenic picnic spot. The indoor room is only available by rental and is locked, but there is a nice shaded landing with several large picnic tables. The Treehouse is all accessible by stroller, too.