Kid-Friendly Fun: Kid Spot and Summerscape

Kid Spot is a popular playground spot which includes a basketball court and town residents of all ages seek it out on hot summer days.

"It's a great little park and it's nice and shady," Kathy McGreal said when visiting this week with her daughter Kaitlin.

With a long history and recent renovations, many in town know Kid Spot well.

Chris Deming, North Reading's Parks and Recreation foreman, remembers growing up and playing there. Three years ago, new swings were installed and the playground was renovated and pressure washed in hopes of making it more kid friendly.  

"We wanted to cut down on splinters," noted Deming.  

With a wide array of play structures available from the sandbox to a basketball court, children of all ages can have fun.

"I like to play with all my friends," said 7-year-old Tess Machugh.

For kids in kindergarten through 7th grade, Summerscape offers a flexible drop in program from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., which includes extended care options. With a brief walk down to from the where Summerscape is held, campers enjoy getting outside and playing on the fields and playgrounds on Tuesdays for Sports Day.    

Summerscape also offers a learning opportunity for counselors-in-training, many of them long-term campers, to take on some responsibility and help with managing the younger children.

"You have to behave better and choose your actions," noted Jacob Mullin-Bernstein, a camper and now CIT at Summerscape for the past seven years.

"Be on your best behavior and be kind to one another," encourages Nick Tomasco, camp director of Summerscape.  

"The numbers are up for the program," Tomasco noted.

Maureen Stevens, the department head of North Reading's Park's and Recreation, was pleased with the changes for the Summerscape program this year including a water day and regularly scheduled field trips and sports days.

Check out Your Passport to North Reading.