Barsotti Park

Barsotti Park is my new favorite playground structure.  In fact, it is so new that Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation’s website doesn’t list the new playground as a feature.  I’ve tried to pin point why this structure is my favorite, but I think there are a wide variety of reasons. For instance, it is one of the few playgrounds that has 3 sections, one for ages 6-23 months or for all abilities, one for ages 2-5 and one last one for ages 5-12. The structure is also bright and lively with new climbers and spinners accommodated by a soft surface (turf) making it more accessible for all. Please keep in mind the soft surface does break as the walking path nicely goes between the older and younger play structures. The only concern I noticed about this park is there is a tree that kids like to climb, and below it seems to be an old post almost like a bird bath that could be dangerous if a child fell on it from climbing the tree. However, precautions should be taken anytime a kid climbs a tree! Overall, this is a well-rounded park and one I think you and your family will enjoy.

Click on maps for directions to Barsotti Park.

A pole that could hurt if kids fell off the tree.

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.

Frances Street Park

There are quite a few play structures that are ships and my kids favorite is Pirate Park in Bethany (previously named Bethany Meadows Park, now referred to as Rock Creek Greenway), but there are a few others worth mentioning.  Frances Street Park is an Adventure Ship that will get your kids exploring into the deep blue ocean. There are fun periscope panels to look out toward the sea, as well as talk tubes to call out to your other mates. There are also slides, climbers, and various other panels. Surprisingly you can come to shore rather quickly and play on the grass, walk over bridges, or even play basketball. My only reservation for this park is if you have a kid allergic to acorns this might not be a place where you want to play. On the other hand, if you aren’t allergic, your kids can run wild and the acorns could be their booty. The last thing to mention is this park would be a nice place for your littles ones to ride trikes or bikes around the ship while other kids are still playing on ship. Overall, this is a nice park where many adventures await. Ahoy!

Click on City of Hillsboro Parks & Recreation to see their discription of Frances Street Park.

Click on maps or Frances Street Park for directions to this park.

Sofia Park

Sofia Park is an intimate park with a whole lot of fun! It is in a beautiful neighborhood and like Elizabeth Caruthers Park it has a Farmers Market on Thursdays with live music from 4-8p.m. The playground consists of a modern structure from KOMPAN mixed with natural play including rocks, logs and water. KOMPAN has designed the fun and innovating Supernova along with other equipment your kids can spin, climb, jump, bounce, slide, shout and play on! I mentioned this park has water, which for detail sake consists of a low-key splash pad/fountains! Overall, this park is absolutely fabulous!  My kids played here for a lot longer than they originally thought because they initially couldn’t see ALL THE ROCKS and logs they could climb on! The modern and natural landscape of this park is so beautiful that you and your kids will want to return.

Click on City of Wilsonville in Oregon to see their description of Sofia Park.

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

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.

Silver Falls State Park

Silver Falls State Park is a beautiful day trip! It takes about an hour and a half to drive from Portland, and my family and I frequently break up the drive by stopping at the Woodburn Outlets. If you want to stay on the road and need caffeine, there is a drive thru Starbucks by the outlets. On the other hand, if you decide to stop, and get out, the outlets have a fun tree-house in which your kids will enjoy. If you continue to drive along, and not stop for food, you can always stop at the nice grocery store in Silverton called Roth’s. (My family and I stop there every time we are coming home from Silver Falls.) As you drive the curvy road to the falls there are a few places you may stop at, but the main entrance is large, and you will know you are in the right place if there is a large multi-section parking lot. One thing to prepare for is the park fee, which is $5.00 per vehicle. Once you arrive at the park there is sooooo much to do! Walk the trails, picnic, barbecue, fish, hike, swim, play at the playground … you can even camp over night (for additional cost) and there is a horse camp (for additional cost). My family and I have only walked the short trails and played at the playground. The main attraction at Silver Falls is walking the Trail of Ten Falls at the South entrance. The first magnificent waterfall is one you may walk under, in which you will get wet, but you don’t need to wear a swimsuit, regular clothes are fine. Also, the main trail is very STEEP so please be careful, and hold on to your little ones closely! In my opinion some of the trails are not intended for children ages four-years-old, and under. (Unless you can carry them.) We have walked the trails with my four-year-old, but we motivated him with food, and said he had to walk the WHOLE way down and UP! He made it! If your kids don’t want to walk very much there is a playground at the far end of the South Falls Day-Use Area, along with a large open field of grass next to the river. The playground isn’t huge, but they have a really cool three person slide that I haven’t seen anywhere else in Portland. And, not too many parks have such a cool Solar System Panel like Silver Falls does. I know this adventure takes more time than just heading out to a local playground, and there are precautions: 1)DONT FALL IN THE FALLS! 2)Tell someone who is not going with you what your plans are for the day. 3)Print out a trail map before you leave your house as you will not have cell or Internet service on most of the trails. Overall, this trip is a beautiful experience, and your kids will remember it forever. Have fun playing in Portland, oh, I mean, Silverton!

Click on Oregon State Parks and Recreation to see their description of Silver Falls State Park. (You can even view videos, which may better prepare you for what to expect.)

For directions to this park click on maps or Silver Falls State Park.

Waluga Park – West

Waluga Park – West  is a delightful cozy park tucked away in Lake Oswego. (Make sure you don’t confuse it for Waluga Park-East on the other side of Waluga Dr., which is bigger, and not quite as cozy.) Like most Lake Oswego Parks, Waluga-West has a relaxing atmosphere.  It has also been recently re-structured by the leading design playground company KOMPAN that has phenomenal innovating play structures! This particular park is designed as a small boat and has two crocodiles in the sea (a.k.a. bark dust.) There is also a sandpit filled with plenty of toys that stay at the park, as well as a nice grassy area to play and a small circular path like Bonny Slope Park. (Both Waluga-West and Bonny Slope Park provide a comfortable environment to take your littlest one who might need to practice with or without training wheels.) Overall this is one of my favorite low-key parks. I think you will have fun playing, especially if you want a relaxing day at Waluga Park – West.

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

Click on maps or Waluga Park-West for directions to this park.

Local School Playground

This week we know friends who are sick, and heard of others that are sick, so instead of going to a park we checked out school playgrounds.  (Less kids = less chance of getting sick.) I’ve known others who have gone to play at school playgrounds, but we never have.  In checking out school playgrounds I found this is a great idea!  There aren’t many kids, and sometimes the structures are larger than the ones at an average size park.  Granted there aren’t restrooms available, but you could possible go to a school near your home or a coffee shop you like.  Obviously most kids won’t want to play at the school they attend, but it is fun to play at a new school with playground equipment they have never played on.  So check out a local school near you, and have fun Playing in Portland!