Discovery Meadows

McMinnville has some of the best parks in Oregon. Between Discovery Meadows, City Park, and the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum your kids will be amazed at your super power park knowledge! I know it may be a bit of a drive, but summer is coming and Mcminnville is a great day trip.  Plus there are plenty of coffee shops along the way!

Discovery Meadows is one of my kids favorite parks mainly because it is big!  It has such a variety of play structures because so many manufactures are represented like KOMPAN, Landscape Structures and Play Power, Inc.  One thing I particulallry like is the big boulder because it is the largest rock climbing wall I’ve seen at an outside playground. In addition, KOMPAN has their amazing supernova along with some structures for children ages 2-5 years old.  Landscape Structure has a fun and rare log roll. Plus there is also a cool train and make-believe house from Miracle, a Play Power company.

The main structure consists of what I would call a playground castle, with 3 large twisty tube slides, a regular swoosh slide, an awesome fun spinner one can sit on, cool climbers that I haven’t seen at other parks, fun panels in which kids can learn about space or play tic toe and so much more. Last summer there was a fun stand up tetter-totter, but currently it is out. I hope they put it back because it is a unique feature. There is also a fun glider and the sand pit is phenomenal! In the middle of the sand pit is a little mountain in which my kids call the volcano. It is similar to the red hills at Murase except without the big slide and the small hill is surrounded by sand. I do advise you to inform you children to be careful because I’ve seen kids run up and down, and get hurt because there is sand on the red hill/volcano. Since this sandpit is so big and well designed it even has a digger in which kids can dig and move sand.  There is plenty of open space if you have bigger kids who would like to play soccer, or there is also a skate park off in the distance. Besides all the fun I’ve listed there are also water fountains. 

The only down side to this park is some of the structures are a bit aged and the tables next to the sand could definitely be remodeled or updated for a fun game of checkers. Despite age, this park has it all!  There are plenty of benches and tables to sit and this park is truly one your kids will remember for a lifetime. So come check out the wonder and start to imagine what you and your children will discover at Discovery Meadows.

Click on the City of McMinnville to find out their description of Discovery Meadows Community Park.

Click on maps for directions to Discover Meadows Community Park

Checker tables need to be remodeled.

This was the unique teeter totter that was missing the last time we went.

Shute Park

Hillsboro has some nice parks, and Shute Park is one of the many. I previously visited Shute Park about 8 years ago, and it has definitely been updated in the last couple of years. The primary playground has two sections, one for children 2-5 years of age, and the other for children 5-12 years of age. The additional mini playground has an awesome tree climber, swings, a unique teeter-totter and bouncy rider, which are all located in the far corner towards the big Indian statue. The main playground is primarily a new structure from Landscape Structures with three slides, a small climbing wall, latest spinners, fun monkey bars, numerous climbers (including the fabulous Hemisphere Climber also located at 53rd Ave Community Park), a gyro twister, a large climbing rock, and one of my favorites, the classic wiggle bridge. Kids especially love the fun Comet spinner, along with the nice sand pit, which has a waterspout coming out of the rock structure. The way the primary playground is set up is ideal for parents with kids playing at both the smaller structure, the sand pit, or the big structure because there is a sidewalk in the middle of the two structures, which enables you to see children who are playing on either side. The only negative thing I have to say about this playground is unlike other new parks, tires have not been placed under the main teeter-totter. This is a safety feature I would prefer to see at all newer parks. Despite this minor detail there is so much to explore, and it is a great park to walk around and behold the beautiful trees and learn a little of Hillsboro’s history by the bell as well as Indian culture. In addition, the Shute Library, located right across from the park has just been remodeled, and is a great place to check out books if you are Washington County card holder. Overall, Shute Park it is a fun park to walk around because the primary playground is phenomenal, and there are many things to explore like the huge Indian Statue I previously mentioned, a big bell, fire pit and more. My kids have asked to play numerous times at this park since we discovered it, and I’m sure your kids will be asking the same. It’s a great place to play. 

Click on Hillsboro Parks & Recreation to see their description of Shute Park.

Click on maps to find out directions to Shute Park.

Mt. Tabor

One of my favorite parks in Portland is Mt Tabor. It is a park that is fun for the whole family. You can ride bikes, climb stairs, bring your dog, have a picnic, play basketball, take a walk and of course play at the playground! In addition, although the restroom is a normal park bathroom on the inside, the outside looks like a quaint little cottage.  It is photo worthy – check out below. The actual playground structure is average, but it has some unique features. For instance, I haven’t seen a cool jeep structure at any other park, and it has fun classics like teeter totters and old fashion monkey bars. Mixed in with the classics is also the latest merry-go-round from Landscape Structures called Omnispin Spinner which is also at one of my favorite parks Harper’s Playground in North Portland. Lastly, it has a fun track sliding bar like at Happy Valley and other various parks. Overall, the beauty of this park is majestic. It is great park to go to on a sunny day because the trees provide wonderful shade, and if you want to add some education to your visit you could stop by the water reservoir and talk about our water supply and then Salt and Straw is just 3.2 miles away on Division which makes for a terrific treat.  All in one outing you can play, eat and educate. So get out and have fun Playing in Portland by experiencing the wonderful taste and beauty this great city has to offer.

Click on maps for directions to Mt. Tabor.

Click on Portland Park Parks & Recreation to see their description of Mt. Tabor.

OmniSpin Spinner

These are the bathrooms

The Park is closed to vehicles on Wednesday. You will have to park in the residential neighborhood and walk if you want to get to the playground.

 

Reservoir

Ridgewood Park

Today we were at St.Vincent’s so we decided to go to Ridgewood Park and play. We have been there a few times and it has always been enjoyable. Sometimes there are dogs off leash, but it has never hindered us from having fun. I don’t know if it technically is an off leash park or not, but it is accommodating for dogs to run in the nice open corner. Overall dogs seem to be preoccupied if they are with his or her owner, and kids can play at the playground. Every time we’ve come there have only been a handful of kids and the big blue plane (maybe dolphin) seems to be the main attraction. The tire swing is also fun, because they can be rare. Another rarity is this playground is manufactured by a company in Grants Pass Oregon. So it is nice to see some features such as the climber and various panels which make this park unique. One thing Ridgewood doesn’t have is a bathroom, but there is a drinking fountain. The last mentionable quality is the park is primarily fenced in except lacking a gate. Overall, I really enjoy going to this park because it is calm and I too like the big bouncing blue plane.

Click on THPRD to see their description of Ridgewood Park

 

Click on directions to locate Ridgewood Park via Google Maps

Wilshire Park

Wilshire Park is a nice park for all ages.  It does a good job at accommodating the imagination of little ones through fun play structures that consist of an airplane, boat, train and car. In addition, there are bigger structures such as a stainless steel slide, triple sand pit, 4 teeter-totters, a merry-go-round, two tire swings, and a wooden structure.  Although, Wilshire Park might not captivate a mid-to-older elementary child for long, maybe they will make friends and run around and play hide-and-seek behind the big trees.  My oldest did, and is capable of playing for hours under the beauty, shade, and adventure that is provided by countless NW trees in parks across the city.  In fact, I was thinking I would even like to run and play under the trees at when I saw the nice dirt/bark chipped path that circled the outer area of the playground.  Even while my kids were playing, there was a group of adults running and doing yoga that made this community park, feel vibrant. One plus and negative factor about Wilshire Park is, it is dog friendly.  I love dogs, but some children are scared and/or allergic and this park seems to lack a secure dog area.  The dog portion of the park is slightly fenced off, but could be better.  Other than that minor detail, this park seems to imply what The City of Portland aims at: “Healthy Parks, Heathy Portland!”  So get out, and have fun Playing in Portland.

Click on maps for directions to Wilshire Park

Click on The City of Portland to see their description of Wilshire Park.

 

Ibach Park

Ibach Park is one of the greatest parks in the metro area to discover, learn, and play. You might be surprised that it has been around for a while, but it hasn’t lost a bit of its splendor. It actually has been around so long, there are dinosaur bones!  Well that’s a bit of an exaggeration, it isn’t THAT OLD, but there is a replica of dinosaur bones in which you and your kids can walk and/or dig through. Because there is so much to learn and explore at Ibach Park, it reminds me a lot of RiverPlay Discovery Village Playground in Eugene. (Which according to Spoonful.com ranks among “The World’s Best Parks and Playgrounds.”) Ibach and RiverPlay Discovery Village specifically have a few features that are the same such as the ferry, canoe, and turf representing a specific river. They are also both designed by Landscape Structures and teach Oregon history through one of the best ways of learning – play.  However, if for some reason your child gets tired of discovering the great history of the Tualatin Valley through play, they can either pretend to canoe to the other side of the river and cross the meteor and/or dig in the sand, which also leads to a slide and climbing structure. In addition, they can run across the grass, and twist and spin on a whole other playground. My only reservation about the main playground is just like Pirate Park the incline hill is a slippery slope for children.  My children, as well as others have gotten scraped knees and elbows from the turf and sand rubbing against their skin as they have run or slid down the hill.  Be careful.  (I tell my kids if they want to slide down the hill, slide down the actual slide. That is what it is there for.) Despite this minor per-caution Ibach Park is wonderful, and I forgot to mention always calm!  Truly its greatness must be unknown to many because Ibach Park has endless opportunities for your child(ren) to imagine, discover, create and explore.

Click on The City of Tualatin to their description of Ibach Park.

Click on maps for directions to Ibach Park.

Forest Hills Park

Forest Hills Park is low-key park located in Beaverton near the Cedar Hills area.  It is in a nice neighborhood and has a very relaxing feel.  It primarily consists of a small Landscape Structure best for younger children, and has a nice modern Mobius Climber (like at Harper’s Playground) for older kids to enjoy.  Another benefit beside the Mobius Climber is the bouncy rider because not every park has one.  There are no restrooms at Forest Hills Park, but you can easily get on Cedar Hills and find a restroom at the Cedar Hills shopping area.  One thing I enjoy about this park is safety.  At Forest Hills Park, I don’t mind if my kids run around the path behind the tennis courts or even go a bit into the woodsy area. However, one precaution is the sidewalk has lots of moss, and with the incline and rain, it can be an easy place to fall.  I also don’t allow my kids to go all the way to the end of the path because I am leery of them being out of sight.  Although this park is primarily fenced in, it is accessible to houses that back up to the park.  Overall, I love this park.  It is small, and although close to the freeway, I think it is quiet and relaxing place to play.  It is basically stress free, so check it out!

Click on Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation (THPRD) to see their description of Forest Hills Park.

For directions to Forest Hills Park click on maps.

 

Couch Park

Couch Park is a fun Portland park with a mixture of modern and classic wooden play structures. Since it is in the midst of downtown you will find a wide variety of people who walk through the park like doctors, homeless men and women, mothers, fathers, businessmen and women, grandma’s and grandpa’s and more. One thing that makes me feel comfortable at this park is the playground is nicely fenced in by a railing. It basically helps keep children at the playground and strangers away from the playground. One thing to note is the railing isn’t completely fenced around the entire playground as there is a wide opening at the front stairs of the wooden structure. I was also pleased and felt very safe at this park because the police patrol this park. When we visited Couch Park the police were on their horses and we got to pet them. That was definitely a highlight of the visit, but the park also has some amenities like none other. In the back corner there is a fun chain tight rope and steel swoosh slide. This park is also a fun park to play tag at because kids can run all around the wooden structure. Overall, this park is a fun place to stop and play. The best thing about this park for parents maybe that NW 23rd is just a few blocks away. So grab a coffee, Moonstruck, Pizzicato or some yummy ice-cream at Salt and Straw and enjoy Playing in Portland!

Click on Portland Parks & Recreation to see their description of Couch Park.

Click on maps or Couch Park for directions to this park.

Waluga Park – East

The Eastside of Waluga Park is another nice park in Lake Oswego. The entire playground is designed ideally for children 2-5 years of age. There are two play-structures: a small structure for 2-3 year-olds, and a bigger structure for 4-5 year-olds. Despite the fact that this park is ideally for children 2-5 years of age, my son who is older than 5 has fun playing at Waluga Park-East. There are actually four poles that kids can climb or slide down (like a slide) that seem to be more adequately designed for kids older than 5 years of age. If you have children who are older and get bored, I suggest you walk over to Waluga Park – West.  A few things to note before walking over to Waluga West is it can be a bit strenuous if you are on the narrow trail and make sure your kids STOP at the end of trail because there is a mildly busy street in which you need to cross to get to Waluga Park – West. It is a nice adventure that is only .2 miles away and there is even a large rock on the path that you can stop at and rest. If you head over to the westside of Waluga Park ultimately you’ll become a park hopper because you made it to two playgrounds in one day! And, if you want to keep hopping, hop over to Westlake, which is only a little bit over a mile away. (I do suggest getting in a car if you’re going to go to Westlake.) One thing to keep in mind, Westlake is a park designed for all ages. Waluga West is a smaller park and geared more toward younger aged children, but they have spinners that are designed for older kids. There is also more grass to run and play at Waluga West. Getting back to Waluga East, my biggest precaution is to beware of poison oak! If you have a toddler who likes to take off you want to make sure s/he doesn’t go near the poison oak. There are clear signs marked where the poison oak is and it is a few feet away from the play area, but it is something to watch out for. Walugua East, like Waluga West for the most part are both relaxing parks. At Waluga East it is fun to walk on the trails behind the baseball fields, and there is plenty of shade and the smallest structure has one of the one of the coolest wide slides around. It probably fits two-to-three toddlers at once going down. (I think it would make a fun picture to take if you had two or more toddlers on the slide.)  Overall this park is nice to take little ones on a hot day because there is so much shade!

Click on Lake Oswego Parks & Recreation to find out their description of Waluga Park – East.

Click on maps or Waluga Park – East for directions to this park.

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum Playground

Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum has a playground and it rocks! I mean, it literally rocks like a rocket ship! There are three main structures, which include a rocket ship, airplane, and helicopter. I always love climbing up the rocket ship and I’m sure your kid’s imagination will run wild as they explore the universe on all three structures! One great thing about this playground is – it’s free!  Granted it takes an hour to get there and the museum costs, but the museum attraction along with playing at the playground is worth the time and money. Plus if you would like to hang out longer, you can continue the fun at the new water park, which is open for an additional cost and looks amazing!  We didn’t play at the water park, but we will in the future. The playground was enough for us in one day as there are numerous slides, a translucent crawl tunnel along with a closed crawl tunnel, various climbing structures, swings, a teeter totter, a rocket ship hop scotch and so much more. I should mention there isn’t much shade. Alternatively there are tables with umbrellas where you can sit and relax. Also there isn’t a bathroom outside so you would probably have to pay the entrance fee to use the museums restroom but don’t worry if you get hungry there are restaurants in both the aviation building and space building. They also have wine tasting. There are literally hours of fun at the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum! It is amazing, and a playground you don’t want to miss.

Click on maps or Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum for directions to this playground.