New Park in Town - Star Park

Photo by CMR

Thought I would do a little review on the new park in our town for locals.  Star Park is located in Ferndale, Washington.  It was built completely by volunteers and designed in part by elementary students.  My middle school student got a chance to help build.  This was definitely a community project.

Cool Swing Thing

I don't have little kids anymore but my big kid (17) wanted to check it out. There were a number of swings even a bucket seat for special needs.  But this yellow disk swing was extremely popular.

Ferndale is well know for it's tagged Metallica Bridge over the Nooksack River so as a parent I appreciated the tagged Ferndale Bridge.  I thought that was a nice touch.

There is huge slide for the little thrill seekers  that comes out through this tree.  This is similar to the park in Lynden. 

There was also a nice Mt Baker climbing wall

If you are in the area, check Star Park out.  I only highlighted a few of the features of this lovely new park.  There is also the bow of a ferry that has a rocking platform, monkey bars of various kinds, fireman pole, smaller slides, and merry go round. It is fenced and has a nice sized toddler area as well.  It is on the backside of Pioneer Park near the ball fields.  After playing ,take a stroll on the river walk and see the totems or play in the fountain near main street.

Marine Park Playground

The playground structure in background is built to look similar lighthouse that was here originally

It has been forever since I have had a playground review.  My kids are teenagers but we had a chance to visit Blaine, Washington's newest playground - Marine Park Playground.  I thought it deserved a review.  This park is right along the waterfront with views of Vancouver and the Peace Arch Border Crossing.

Nice Size Climbing Rock

Ship complete with sails

This park contains two great play structures. One is a light house and the other is a giant sailing ship. There are lots of things to explore besides the slides and such - bells to ring, drums to play, rain sounds to make, optical illusions to see. This is a thoughtfully designed playground. There is a gang plank to the ship that is accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. There are rest rooms nearby in the adjacent building and across the street at the marina.

Along with all the great hands on things for kids are picture panels of the waterfront with snippets of the history of Blaine's water front.

This is a great place to visit if

If you sat in the long wait at Peace Arch border crossing, this is a great place to get the wiggles out.

In the summer if you just took the Plover Ferry from Semiamhoo, this is a great place to bring your lunch and catch a later ferry back

You brought out of town guests to visit Peace Arch State Park.  There are only swings at the Peace Arch so after look at the arch venture over to this great kids park. Adults get their history and garden fun at Peace Arch and kids get their fun at Marine Park Playground. 

The Lighthouse Play Structure would be awesome to watch the sunset from.

Oxford Park and Geocaching

This is a two for one post (Geocache and playground tour) I decided to take the crew out Geocaching, Monday  This was the first time for the Diva and Big E so we started at cache that we were familiar with. We journeyed to Oxford Park. 

This is a little pocket park. The kids monkeyed around for a bit.  This park is probably more suitable for the younger set. The kids had fun climbing up the slide and going over the monkey bars.We did find the cache.

Then we ventured to Hovander Park.  There is a cache there that we have been trying to find since we started geocaching.  Armed with flashlights and sharper eyes, we found it. They say the 3rd time is a charm. I wasn't getting let some black Tupperware defeat me. We also wandered over to Tennant Lake on the path.  We climbed the tower there too.

Along the way we found another cache. By that time, most of the crew was done.

Playground Tour - Ravenna Park

Last week we got to Children' s Autism Center in Seattle too early for our appointment.  So, we stopped and played a Ravenna Park. in Seattle  The kids and the dogs had fun playing here.  They liked the giant hammock. Of course, #1 Son was drawn to the hammock and the swings. I only have a picture of Chuckles on the hammock thing.

The puppy loved playing with a pine bough.  It is hard to take a picture of a black dog.

There were lots of little sculptures.  I liked this little snake.

We were there in the earlier morning hours.  It doesn't look like there is an abundance of parking.  We also noticed some homeless people encamped over near the playing fields.  But the playground was empty at this early hour. There are also restrooms near the playground that were open.  I didn't check them out.

Playground Tour #3 - Central Elementary

 A couple weeks ago, the kids were begging me to go to the Central school playground near our newly relocated library.  The entry for this playground is on 2nd Avenue. Central Elementary has a small but updated playground.  We brought Big E with us. The kids loved doing the mini obstacle course. 

Top photo - Number #1 Son on the bouncer - Bottom Photo- Big E and Chuckles

I had to give the swings a go.

The murals on the playground had just been painted.  I really like the United States Map.  Big E is checking out Washington.

My favorite photo is Chuckles and Big E at the top of the slide