A Survival Guide to Finding the Right Park for Your Kids

With temperatures reaching 70 by Friday, I decided that I would share with the local Marple Newtown Patch community some of my favorite playgrounds in the area.

  Located on Lawrence Road and recognized by it's huge hill, this park has a large field that is surrounded by a walking track. There is a gazebo as well as a beautiful playground, horseshoe pit and barbecue grills. There are picnic tables and a bathroom, making this a favorite for potty-training moms.

This park is located on New Ardmore Avenue close to Russell Elementary School. They have a great playground, see-saws, basketball courts, and picnic area with barbecue grill available. The tall trees provide much welcomed shade.  

Otherwise known as Ann Park because it is on Ann Road. They have traditional playground equipment as well as a basketball court and baseball field.  This is also the place to go in the winter.

This park is on Cedar Grove Road. It's a dog park, so if your child doesn't like dogs, you might want to skip this park. They have a nice pavillion with picnic tables, barbecue grills, traditional playground equipment, tennis courts and a creek.  The last time I was there I was highly disappointed to find the trash cans overflowing, which meant several doggie waste bags were littering the grounds which made the park smell in the summer heat.

This tiny tot lot on Malin Road could be missed. It's small but provides everything a kid needs for some fun.

This is right across from the Broomall Fire Department.  They have traditional playground equipment and a picnic area. There is plenty of open grassy space for just running around and a nice hill for sledding.

This is on Brookside Road, off of Bryn Mawr Avenue. This park has traditional playground equipment and is completely fenced in.

If you drive up Route 252/North Newtown Street Road, take a right on Winding Way at TD Bank. Follow Winding Way Road, staying to the left, the park is on the left-hand side. The park has a pond, a bridge, picnic area and traditional playground equipment. In the spring it can be messy with what the geese leave behind, so don't wear your best shoes.

Thatcher Park, Swarthmore: This is a great tot-lot.  It's completely fenced in, has a ton of fun equipment, and provides shade. 

Merry Place, Havertown: Found on Glendale Road. This playground has something for everyone. Sand pit with fun digging equipment, traditional playground equipment, tot area, a volleyball court with sand. There is a creek, and a large climbing structure. The only negative about this beautiful park is how big it is. If you have one more than one child, it can be difficult to keep track of your kids if they separate.

Paddock Park, Havertown: Off of Eagle Road on Hillcrest, this great park has a lot of playground equipment. It’s nice and shady with large trees. You have to park on the street and walk up, so you might want to use a stroller if you have a baby or toddler.

Freedom Playground, Haverford:  This park is located in the Haverford Reserve just off of Marple Road.  I just visited this playground for the first time since it was built and was amazed at how beautiful a facility it was. According to the Web site, Freedom Playground was “built with Universal Design principles in mind. This means that children and adults alike will be able to use the playground regardless of their abilities.” It has a lot of fun equipment, including a sand box area, a covered pavillion with benches, and it is completely fenced in.