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.

Willamette Park (Portland)

This summer while Playing in Portland my family and I noticed a Willamette Park we hadn’t played at.  We’ve played a few times at Willamette Park in West Linn, but never at the Willamette Park in Portland.  I guess, since the Willamette River is 187 miles long there should be a couple of parks named Willamette Park. This specific Willamette Park is quaint, quiet and nice.  It consists of a small modern structure with fun features such as a log roll, spinners, and a four-person-size teeter-totter.  In addition, you may enjoy walking down the path to the boat dock and possibly see boats and skip or throw rocks in the river.  One down side to this park is you have to pay to park.  However, it only cost a $1.00 an hour.  Really I think an hour is a sufficient amount of time to play at this particular park because it isn’t that big.  In fact, in one hour we had time to play at the playground, climb a tree, throw rocks, walk down the dock and get a little muddy in the sand and water.  So for a $1.00 I think it is totally worth a new place to play.  So come check out another Willamette Park and have fun Playing in Portland.

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

Click on maps for directions to Willamette Park.  (To get to the actual playground it is best to drive past parking lot where the boats dock and past the tennis courts.)

Sky High Indoor Playground

I’ve previously blogged about having a good time jumping at Sky High, but my family and I discovered they have a new indoor playground. The playground is great fun for kids, and a comfy place for parents to rest in their lovely soft couches. In addition, the playground is very viewable and accessible if you are wondering about your children. They even have activities for your littlest ones with books, a caterpillar to crawl through, toddler activity table, and a learning walker.  Sky High is a great place if you have a wide range of ages between children.  Older kids could jump, toddlers and younger children could play in the indoor playground or if you have elementary kids they might want to do both.  If you pay to jump it is just $2.00 extra for one hour of playground time.  If your kids don’t jump it is $8.00 for a full day during the weekdays, and on the weekends it is $8.00 for 2 hours of playtime.  The cool thing about this indoor playground is it’s the newest design and development I’ve seen. They have log rollers (plastic rollers), spinners and cool things to crawl through.  The only negative factor is the surface is not soft!  The floor where parents sit is carpeted and a bit softer then the hard concrete, but it would be nice if the playground had cushion. They also have big building blocks, fun bouncy balls, air hockey, and these cool little toddler roller coaster rides.  My oldest even thought these little roller coasters were cool.  Overall, when school is out and the rain is still about, get out and jump with no doubt at Sky High.

For directions to Sky High click on maps.

Marshall Park

The Chelsea Anderson Playstation at Marshal Park is phenomenal!  In fact, it is such an amazing park, I would consider it a 5 star playground like Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum Playground, or RiverPlay Discovery Village Playground.  Your kids will be thrilled if you drive across the river and play at Marshall Park because this 5 star playground is quite close, and the others are an hour or more away.  Chelsea Anderson Playstation seems to have everything!  I believe there are 8 slides, a tire swing, track sliding bar, log roll, big arch climber, spiral staircase, fire truck structure for 2-5 year olds, nature area, chain links to climb and cross, a balance beam and so much more!  I remember when I took my oldest six or so years ago, I was overwhelmed trying to keep up with him as a toddler, but now that my kids are five and older this park is amazing!  However, I imagine that this park could be a bit stressful on a busy day, but if you are up for an adventure cross the river and have fun playing at Marshall Park!  It is an adventure that will give your kids a thrill!

Click on Vancouver-Clark Parks & Recreation to see their description of Marshall Park.

Click on maps for directions to Marshal Park.