park - Pitstops for Kids

Southern Illinois pit stop: Jeremy Rochman Memorial Park

May 10, 2017 By Amy Hagstrom

Southern Illinois is an area with many beautiful natural parks, forests, and lakes to explore. Just south of Carbondale, Ill., home to Southern Illinois University, you’ll find a park you won’t want to miss if you’re traveling through the area. Online, you’ll find it listed as “Dungeons and Dragons Park,” or by its more official name, Jeremy ‘Boo’ Rochman Memorial Park. My kids, however, call it “Castle Park,” and it is at the top of their to-do list whenever we visit the area.

Southern Illinois pit stop:

Boo Rochman Park is a privately-owned park dedicated to the memory of the owners’ son, who died in a car accident in 1993. Because of his interest in fantasy gaming, they developed the park around that theme. Within its borders are hidden a host of surprises, from the obvious—a huge dragon to climb on, life-sized dueling wizards’ circle, and sea serpent benches—to the fantastic figures peeking from perches hidden in the crook of trees.

The main attraction, of course, is the castle itself—an enormous play structure that doesn’t just look like a medieval fortress; it practically is one. There are hidden passages, trick doors, thrones, towers, dungeons (monsters included)—kids can spend hours there, literally. Even older kids who are too old and “cool” for playgrounds will find this place hard to resist. It is without exception the most imagination-encouraging play area I have ever seen. Parents will want to explore it, too.

Bonus points: the grounds around the castle are mostly shaded by mature trees, and the sculptures tucked into every nook and cranny ensure that you’ll find something new no matter which way you turn. Also, the entire park is fenced in, with only one open entrance by the parking lot.

Come with friends, if you can. Bring a picnic to share under the trees—but whatever you do, make sure to bring water. Southern Illinois is very hot in the summertime.

Jeremy Rochman Memorial Park is open from 9 a.m. to dusk. It is located at 31 Homewood Drive, Carbondale, IL. From Main Street/Highway 13, take Giant City Road (Highway 12) south 3 1/2 miles. The park is on the left at the intersection of Giant City Road and No Name Road (no kidding!). Admission is free, but donations are accepted to keep the park in good shape.

Mount Tom Reservation and Ice Cream

August 6, 2014 By Amy Hagstrom

Ready for the perfect summer outing in Western Massachusetts? Mount Tom Reservation is located between EastHampton and Mt. Holyoke, and offers fishing, hiking, picnicking, and a play area, plus skating and cross-country skiing in winter.

Mt. Tom:

Mt. Tom offers the best view of the Connecticut Valley, the Berkshire mountains, and the Pelham hills. It meanders over 2,161 acres at the top of Mt. Tom (rumored to be the inspiration behind Seuss’ Grinch mountain) and features 22 miles of trails.

We enjoyed the new, creative play area located in the center of the park. (Eying the tree canopy, we wouldn’t mind coming back in autumn someday, too!) The play area includes manmade ‘cliff’ and rock formations that lead to slides, swings, and the like. There’s also a large grass area adjacent and picnic areas nearby. Port-a-potties and a drinking fountain are on-site, as is a covered group area.

Mt. Tom is one of a network of Massachusetts reservations; you can pay $2 per car at the entrance, or buy a pass for all the state reservation properties.

Directions:

Head east on I-90 E. Take exit 4 for I-91 toward Holyoke/Springfield – 0.6 mi. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for I-91 and merge onto I-91 N – 3.9 mi. Take exit 17A to merge onto Easthampton Rd toward Holyoke – 0.5 mi. Turn left at Northampton St/US-5N – 4.0 mi. Turn left at Reservation Rd. Park will be on the left 0.7 mi.

Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream:

Mt. Tom’s Ice Cream offers homemade ice cream in a dizzying array of creative flavors, plus an old-fashioned candy shop (where candy can be purchased by the 1/4th pound). Located at at the base of Mt. Tom in EastHampton, this shop seems to be equally popular with families and singles, offering free wifi and located next to a trendy record/music store. It’s a definite stop before or after a trip to Mt. Tom to hike or play.

We opted for the salted caramel and Mexican chocolate varieties (it’s got a kick to it!) and they do offer ‘kiddie’ sized cones in addition to regular and large. Also on offer: gourmet coffees, shakes, malts, and sundaes. There is limited seating inside, but several small tables are also available outside, plus families can always take their ice cream across the way to sit by the pond.

Directions:

The shop is located on the edge of Nashawannuck Pond in EastHampton. The address is 34 Cottage Street (Rt 141), in the heart of town.

Berkeley CA’s Adventure Playground

September 23, 2013 By Amy Hagstrom

Remember playgrounds without padded mats below every surface and safety bars at every turn? Remember building forts in backyards with scraps of plywood and old nails? So does Adventure Playground Berkeley, located at the marina in Berkeley California. This play space has been in operation for 35 years, and is refreshingly unafraid of a lawsuit. We loved every minute.

Adventure Playground is a park for kids that’s a work in progress. Every structure has been created by kids, for kids out of recycled materials. Kids can run loose, playing in all the forts, climbing towers, and structures, or take part in building. Just pick up some trash or loose nails in the park and turn them in to the park staff for tools. On offer: saws, hammers, nails, paint, paintbrushes, and all the scrap wood, old tires, and other cast-off building supplies you could want.

Parents have the option of dropping off kids 7 and older for up to 3 hours unsupervised in Adventure Playground for $10/hour, or individual family groups (with fewer than five kids) can visit with parental supervision for free. (Families or playgroups with five kids or more are considered a group and need a reservation.)

We spent two hours in the park, and could have used more time. The kids immediately set to work building a ladder onto a pre-existing fort, then added a second-floor platform with the aid of a park staff member. (We were told two-story structures couldn’t be built without a railing built first, but this was the only ‘rule’ we heard all afternoon.) The kids then explored the rest of the area, playing on rope climbing nets, trying out the park zip line, and swinging from rope ladders and bars. In addition to all the building going on (construction is on-going), kids can grab a paintbrush and paint anything they like, or they can poke around in the shaded garden area with water fountains, a strawberry patch, and benches.

Tip: Wear closed-toed shoes in the park (parents too). There are a lot of loose nails on the ground, plus boards with splinters. Kids under age seven are welcome with parents, but be advised: kids under three may get hurt by the debris on the ground. The park is definitely geared toward the school-aged set.

There are no restrooms in the park proper, but a city park exists adjacent by the marina with public bathrooms and picnic grounds. Free parking.

Date last visited:

August 2013

Distance from the interstate:

Two minutes from I-80.

Admission:

Free for families. Groups are $73/2 hours.

Hours of operation:

Daily during summer; weekends 10 am – 5 pm weekends during the school calendar year.

Directions:

From I-80, take the University Ave exit in Berkeley. Follow University to the marina.

Enterprise Park and Kids’ Kingdom

June 19, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Kids' Kingdom's Fastasy Fountain area.

4000 Victor Ave
Redding CA

We drive through Redding, CA often, and I’m ever on the hunt for a great park. On our most recent pass down I-5, we found one worthy of being declared a pit stop! Kids’ Kingdom is a section of the larger Enterprise Park that spans several city blocks. Whereas the park at large seems to cater to the sports and leisure crowd (lots of soccer fields and picnic areas), Kids’ Kingdom is tucked away under shade trees and could be easily overlooked.

At this smaller section of the park, you’ll find a fun splash/water feature (Fantasy Fountain) with a concrete rocky mountain, sprinkler archways, and a padded floor surface, an expansive wooden fort play structure, and lots of mature trees to climb. We arrived just after the water feature had been turned off for the night, but the kids still had fun climbing the ‘mountain’ and playing in the fort. Combined with a picnic dinner brought from the nearby Subway restaurant, Kids Kingdom made for a great pit stop!

Note: Enterprise Park is not in what appears to be the best part of town. We felt quite safe during daylight hours, but use your own judgment when visiting.

Wooden fortress at Kids Kingdom.

Distance off the interstate: Five minutes.

Hours: Sunrise until sunset. The water feature is on daily, but only until 6 pm on weekends in summer (in other words, not late enough!)

Bathrooms: Standard park bathrooms are located on the far side of the water feature. Warning: the day we visited, the bathrooms were in terrible condition. (This was in the later evening, after a full day’s use, but was still not acceptable.) Hopefully it was the exception, not the rule.

Calvin at the top of the Fantasy Fountain mountain.

Directions: From I-5, take the Cypress exit. Head east on Cypress for one mile, then 1.5 miles south on Victor. Park is on the right. Take the main entrance, then follow the Kids’ Kingdom sign past the open grassy spaces down a short hill. Parking on the right.

I apologize for the poor quality photos; I took them right at sunset, and the lighting was not conducive to photo taking!

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Things To Do
Redding

North Point Lighthouse

June 10, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Image via Wikipedia

2650 N. Wahl Ave.
Milwaukee, WI

The North Point Lighthouse, standing since 1855, is a fixture in scenic Milwaukee, WI. Better yet for traveling families, it’s located adjacent to a great park for kids! Says Kara (AKA Vacation Gals’ ColoradoGal), “After snapping a photo of both families in front of the lighthouse, we explored a bit: (Double the Adventure’s)Sharlene’s husband actually pointed out this great trail with wooden steps leading down into the woods, and of course we had to explore it. After all, that’s how my family rolls…the kids led the way through all sorts of lush foliage down to the shore of Lake Michigan!”

Extra Tip!: Public tours are offered from 1-4 pm on Saturdays, year-round.

Date last visited: June 2010

Distance off the interstate: Six minutes off I-43.

Admission Prices:

Under 5: Free
Under 12: $3.00
Age 12 and up: $5.00 per person

Money-saving Tip! If you think you might be back, family memberships (starting at $35) might be a better deal for you, depending upon the size of your family!

Bathrooms: Need this information. If you know, please answer in the comments!

Website: North Point Lighthouse

Directions: From Interstate 43 in Milwaukee, drive east on Interstate 794. Take the Lakefront exit and go north on Lincoln Memorial Drive for 2.2 miles. Turn left opposite McKinley Park Beach and drive up the hill on E. Water Tower Road. Turn right on Terrace Avenue and make a quick right onto Wahl Avenue. The lighthouse will be on your right after about half a mile, in the southern end of Lake Park.
(From I-94, go north on I-43, then follow the above directions.)

McKinley Park

February 3, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Photo courtesy of Tripping with Kids

601 Alhambra Boulevard
Sacramento, CA

Some of you may know this already, but the concept for Pitstops for Kids was born after a frustrating afternoon trying to find a nice park while driving through Sacramento, CA. So you can imagine my excitement when I came across this wonderful review at Tripping with Kids! McKinley Park was named Best Playground of 2009 in the Sacramento News and Review, and it’s easy to see why. There’s gardens, tennis and basketball courts, a local pool, and even a library, but as reviewer Lora says, the most important thing is the playground. This one doesn’t disappoint.

“Created by a community collaborative, this playground is castle-like with enough long raised walkways, bridges, and ladders to entertain any school-aged kid who has been house-bound by cold weather. It is made mostly of wood, which blends in with the park quite nicely. The amount of thought and detail behind it is obvious. For example, since much of the structure includes play areas above ground, one space below it is used for a small tire swing. A play area for smaller tots is attached and yet in a separate area.” For Lora’s full article, visit her at Tripping with Kids!

Date last visited: January 2010

Distance off the interstate: 1 minute off I-80 Business, ten minutes from I-80.

Hours and Admission Prices: Open sunrise to sunset. Free admission.

Website: http://www.cityofsacramento.org/parksandrecreation/

Directions: From I-80 (Business), merge onto the Capitol City Freeway. Take the E St. exit, then merge onto 29th St. Turn left at E St, then right at Alhambra Blvd.

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Julian Price Memorial Park

January 31, 2010 By Amy Hagstrom

Canoeing and kayaking await at Price Lake

Milepost 297 Blue Ridge Parkway
Blowing Rock, NC

Julian Price Memorial Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the Blue Ridge area, at the base of Grandfather Mountain. If you’re traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock, you’ll definitely want to stop! Boosting 3900 acres of picnic spots, campgrounds, hiking trails and nature walks, the park has long been a favorite for locals and tourists alike. Says reviewer Angela: â€œKids love playing in the stream that meanders through the picnic area. The park also offers hiking along 7 trails, fishing, canoeing, camping, guided walks and evening campfire programs. The 300-seat amphitheater is used for lectures and talks during the summer months.â€

To read in more detail about the various hiking trails Julian Price has to offer (as well as other great spots to stop and hike in the Charlotte, NC area), see her full review at Trekaroo.

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: Directly off the Blue Ridge Parkway (1 hr. 45 min. from I-85 near Charlotte and 1 hr. from I-40 near Brookford)

Hours and Admission Prices: Open to the public 24 hours a day. Free admission. (Camping has a nominal fee.)

Bathrooms: Clean and well lit.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/blri/index.htm

Phone: Park Campground Kiosk: (828) 963-5911

Directions: Located at Mile Marker 297 of the Blue Ridge Parkway

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E.J. Roberts Park

July 9, 2009 By Amy Hagstrom

Shady and green playground in E.J. Roberts Park

North Bend
Washington

If you’re stopping for a quick bite to eat in North Bend, WA, you’ll quickly lament the lack of play lands at any of the fast food offerings. But a quick inquiry of the drive thru staff at Taco Time led us to E.J. Roberts Park. Only a few minutes into town (and it’s a lovely town!), EJ Roberts is a beautiful little respite from a long roadtrip. Located in a quiet residential area, the park is medium-sized, with a shaded play area, lots of grass to throw a ball around, and picnic tables, all with a stunning mountain backdrop.

Toby, engage in horseplay? Noooo….

Date last visited: June 2009

Distance off the interstate: Three minutes off I-90.

Bathrooms: They were not very clean, but frankly, we were just glad they were there!

Food Services: Plenty of fast food nearby, including McDonald’s, Taco Time, and KFC. There’s also a Safeway within five minutes.

Directions: From I-90, take Bendigo Blvd to E. 4th, then turn left on Ballarat. Turn right on SE 114th, which turns into 6th. Park is on the right.

For more travel photos today, check out Photo Friday at delicousbaby.com.
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Lithia Park

June 18, 2009 By Amy Hagstrom

Lithia Park Ashland, Oregon is a stunningly beautiful 93-acre park in a garden setting situated within easy distance of 1-5 for either a quick pitstop or an afternoon detour. Located on the north end of Ashland, Oregon in their pedestrian-friendly downtown, there are several entrances to this sprawling park, but the easiest to access from the city center is on Winburn Way. Park either in the city square or follow Winburn around the side of the park, and cross one of the several arched bridges over Ashland Creek. At this north end of Lithia Park, you’ll find a duck pond and excellent play structure, complete with climbing wall/rock and rope tower. Near the play area is easy access to the creek, where kids can dip toes on hot days (unless signs dictate otherwise¦the creek is closed to waders during some summers).

Almost at the top!

If you have time, continue on the marked paths to the south end, where you’ll find tennis courts, a second (more inhabited) duck pond, and hiking trails.

On the way back to the car, let the kids peek into Small Change, an excellent toy and boutique-quality children’s clothing store at 5 N. Main. Little ones can climb up the ladder into an elevated loft (fully enclosed with a latching gate) where they are encouraged to play with a selection of toys while you peruse the offerings. The other shops along the square are fascinating to poke around in as well, if your kids have the patience!

Nate and Cal climbing the rope tower.

Date last visited: June 2009

Distance off the interstate: About five minutes’ drive.

Bathrooms: Clean bathrooms are located by the play structure. Many shops and restaurants are also within walking distance.

Food Services: Downtown Ashland has a plethora of excellent restaurants, but our personal favorite with kids is Munchies, located right in the heart of the square, on the corner of N. Main. They serve great vegetarian fare as well as burgers, pasta, and Mexican selections. There are also several ice cream and candy shops along the same block, as well as Big Town Hero and vegetarian and Thai cuisine.

Directions: From I-5, take exit 19 and turn right at S Valley View Rd. Turn left at Hwy-99 and continue 2 miles. Take a slight right at Guanajuato Way, then turn right at Winburn Way.

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