The Miami Playground Guide is comprised of strictly my opinions, of course, and the categories I'm rating are very me-centric, like: Are there bathrooms? Is the playground surface that glorious spongy stuff or the infernal sand? And of course, Is the equipment shaded? You know, the burning issues that for me, make or break a great playground. Come on, this is important stuff here! So on that note, let's get to the review!
Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center Playground Review
Date of Visit: 3/1/11
Time of Day: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Weather: partly sunny with a breeze, high 70s (i.e., perfect)
Summary of Visit: We visit this playground frequently while Skyler takes a weekly class at the Youth Center. Always a good time for both of us--while they don't seem to be wi-fi enabled, I often take my netbook and get some work done, as the space is small enough to keep an eye on the munchkin and type away, too.
Shaded? We always come at the same time of day--late afternoon--and the park and play equipment is almost entirely shaded. They have strategically shaded the play equipment with the green overhead shades, and a few trees add to the shade in other areas, including seating areas.
Fenced? The playground is fenced and walled, with only one opening.
Surface: Love this--surface is turf. That's right, fake grass. There are three circles cut in the turf for trees that add to the shade.
Parking: Plenty of dedicated parking for the Youth Center, though these lots can get pretty full.
Swings? Yes, one "big kid" swing and one "little kid" swing.
Bathroom Report: Yes. The Youth Center has great bathrooms that are kept clean and stocked. Yes, there is a changing table--at least in the women's restroom. Because the bathrooms are inside the Youth Center, they are air-conditioned.
Interesting Equipment: There is a tube system that allows one kid to speak/shout into a cone on one end of the playground, and the sound travels to another cone at the other end of the playground. Pretty cool.
Parent Vantage Point: Lots of seating options all around the perimeter of the playground. Since this is a small playground, there are plenty of ideal vantage points.
Snack Attack: Many parents bring their own, but there is also a snack bar that is open at peak times.
Picnicability:Average. With the fake grass/ turf, you certainly will avoid bugs and dirt getting in your food.
Grass: Completely covered in fake grass. With a tree or two poking out of little holes.
Animal Activity: None. No dogs, never been particularly worried by mosquitoes, either.
What to pack: No heavy duty needs here. Snacks, wipes, refillable water bottle (there are water fountains in the Youth Center, bubbles, sunscreen.
Park @ Large: This is definitely a playground more than a park, depending on how specifically you define the two. The space is relatively nice, and is populated by younger children (babies) and also the 5 - 7 year old crowd as they are released from the classes they take at the Youth Center. Lots of cool Gables moms hanging out, and most pretty friendly and up for chit chat. Also lots of folks sitting and reading or surfing the smartphone. I kind of like that this is a playground with no larger park surrounding it--all the fun is localized so I don't find myself changing from bench to bench as much as when we're at Merrie Christmas Park.
What I Love: There is plenty of shaded seating, I'll mention AGAIN that I love the fake grass (how do I get that in my backyard?), parents are really good about closing and latching the gate as they enter and leave, and the play equipment seems to be a perfect balance between being appropriate for younger children, but still fun for older children.
What Bugged Me: Only one "big kid" swing and one "baby" swing. Both are in high demand. That's about it--this is a sweet, small little playground that I really like!
miamybabymama tips:
* Honestly, bring snacks. Almost every mom has a bag of snacks and drinks, so your kid is going to be asking for a snack as soon as they key in to the smorgasboard surrounding them. I’ve even been “stalked” by other kids eyeing Elle’s snacks when I’ve left them in sight. It's just easier to be prepared, I've found.
* As far as the parking, sometimes you really have to search for a spot, but chances are you will find one--just keep looking.
* This playground is right across from the Coral Gables Public Library, so make it a two-part trip. Hit the library and then the playground.
* There is a second play area within the Youth Center, with a ball pit, climbing platforms, and a slide. This play area is right next to the gymnastics center.
Location & Website:
Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center
405 University Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33134(305) 460-5600
photo credit: bcsilva/sxc.hu
Date of Visit: 3/1/11
Time of Day: 4:30 PM - 6:30 PM
Weather: partly sunny with a breeze, high 70s (i.e., perfect)
Summary of Visit: We visit this playground frequently while Skyler takes a weekly class at the Youth Center. Always a good time for both of us--while they don't seem to be wi-fi enabled, I often take my netbook and get some work done, as the space is small enough to keep an eye on the munchkin and type away, too.
Shaded? We always come at the same time of day--late afternoon--and the park and play equipment is almost entirely shaded. They have strategically shaded the play equipment with the green overhead shades, and a few trees add to the shade in other areas, including seating areas.
Fenced? The playground is fenced and walled, with only one opening.
Surface: Love this--surface is turf. That's right, fake grass. There are three circles cut in the turf for trees that add to the shade.
Parking: Plenty of dedicated parking for the Youth Center, though these lots can get pretty full.
Swings? Yes, one "big kid" swing and one "little kid" swing.
Bathroom Report: Yes. The Youth Center has great bathrooms that are kept clean and stocked. Yes, there is a changing table--at least in the women's restroom. Because the bathrooms are inside the Youth Center, they are air-conditioned.
Interesting Equipment: There is a tube system that allows one kid to speak/shout into a cone on one end of the playground, and the sound travels to another cone at the other end of the playground. Pretty cool.
Parent Vantage Point: Lots of seating options all around the perimeter of the playground. Since this is a small playground, there are plenty of ideal vantage points.
Snack Attack: Many parents bring their own, but there is also a snack bar that is open at peak times.
Picnicability:Average. With the fake grass/ turf, you certainly will avoid bugs and dirt getting in your food.
Grass: Completely covered in fake grass. With a tree or two poking out of little holes.
Animal Activity: None. No dogs, never been particularly worried by mosquitoes, either.
What to pack: No heavy duty needs here. Snacks, wipes, refillable water bottle (there are water fountains in the Youth Center, bubbles, sunscreen.
Park @ Large: This is definitely a playground more than a park, depending on how specifically you define the two. The space is relatively nice, and is populated by younger children (babies) and also the 5 - 7 year old crowd as they are released from the classes they take at the Youth Center. Lots of cool Gables moms hanging out, and most pretty friendly and up for chit chat. Also lots of folks sitting and reading or surfing the smartphone. I kind of like that this is a playground with no larger park surrounding it--all the fun is localized so I don't find myself changing from bench to bench as much as when we're at Merrie Christmas Park.
What I Love: There is plenty of shaded seating, I'll mention AGAIN that I love the fake grass (how do I get that in my backyard?), parents are really good about closing and latching the gate as they enter and leave, and the play equipment seems to be a perfect balance between being appropriate for younger children, but still fun for older children.
What Bugged Me: Only one "big kid" swing and one "baby" swing. Both are in high demand. That's about it--this is a sweet, small little playground that I really like!
miamybabymama tips:
* Honestly, bring snacks. Almost every mom has a bag of snacks and drinks, so your kid is going to be asking for a snack as soon as they key in to the smorgasboard surrounding them. I’ve even been “stalked” by other kids eyeing Elle’s snacks when I’ve left them in sight. It's just easier to be prepared, I've found.
* As far as the parking, sometimes you really have to search for a spot, but chances are you will find one--just keep looking.
* This playground is right across from the Coral Gables Public Library, so make it a two-part trip. Hit the library and then the playground.
* There is a second play area within the Youth Center, with a ball pit, climbing platforms, and a slide. This play area is right next to the gymnastics center.
Location & Website:
Coral Gables War Memorial Youth Center
405 University Drive
Coral Gables, FL 33134(305) 460-5600
photo credit: bcsilva/sxc.hu
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