PARKS TO EXPLORE

10

Places to Explore & Play

If trains, boats, baseball or farms are what your child fancies, you can't go wrong with a themed playground. The colorful slides, swings and climbing structures will have your family going back to play again and again. Listed are ten themed playgrounds sure to entertain the young ones.

Sea Creatures Playground,

Carkeek Park Sliding through the salmon sculpture is just the beginning. This ocean-themed play area (ages 1-8) is adjacent to a small playground (ages 1-4) with views of Puget Sound. 950 NW Carkeek Park Road, Seattle 98177

Alki Playground and Whale

Tail Park Kids will dive into this ocean-themed playground, which includes a play structure shaped like a sandcastle, a climbable boat, a whale’s tail sculpture and a sand play area. The playground is best for younger kids (ages 1-6), but keep an eye out, because it is not fenced. Walk across the playfi eld to a second playground that’s fun for bigger kids (ages 5-10). 5817 SW Lander St., Seattle 98116

Baseball Playground, Shore-

view Park Batter up! This small playground (ages 4-8) off ers the novelty of climbing on a giant ball, glove and bat — and it’s next to a ballfi eld. The park is a local favorite that has a second playground (ages 2-8), tennis courts, paved loop, wooded trails, a creek and a dog park. Note: The baseball playground is on the uphill (south) part of the park, near the tennis courts. The second playground is on the lower level, accessible by stairs or ramp. 17229 3rd Ave. NW, Shoreline 98133

Inspiration Playground, In-

ventive Park With so many options to inspire play, this downtown Bellevue playground feels like an outdoor children’s museum — except it’s free. From the hillside slides to the climbing wall, the musical section to the in-ground trampoline, there is something for everyone here (ages 1-10). In the summer, kids can cool off in the water-feature

Downtown Park: Climb the jungle vines to the top of the wall. Take a break and walk to the fountain nearby.

North Kirkland Community Center Park: Blast off! Space walk to Saturn and climb the planet's ring. Then head to the green space for a snack or picnic. West Fenwick Park: Hop, skip and jump on the colorful squares. slide down the tunnel and end at the monkey bars. It's the perfect place to create your own activity course.

area. This park is designed to be inclusive, with accessible play structures and Braille on the park map. 100 100th Ave. NE, Bellevue 98004

Farm Playground, Kelsey

Creek Farm The playground includes a barn/country market play structure for bigger kids (ages 4-10), another structure for smaller kids (ages 1-5), a saucer swing and a rope carousel. The play structure has buttons that emit animal sounds and various other noises. 410 130th Pl. SE, Bellevue 98005

Train playground, Wilbur-

ton Hill Park All aboard! Younger kids (ages1-4) will enjoy playing on the train structure; older kids (ages 5-10) will have fun climbing the logging tower play structure. The zipline is a big hit, as well as the saucer swing and rope carousel. Adults can use the outdoor exercise equipment, too. The park also has sports fi elds and wooded areas for short hikes. 12400 Main St., Bellevue 98005

Outer Space Playground, North Kirkland Community

Center Park This park packs several space-themed elements into a somewhat small area, including Saturn and a rocket structure. Kids ages 5-10 can test their climbing skills on the 7-foot moon and the rings-and-rope structure, while younger kids (ages 1-4) use the toddler slides and spring-mounted wobbler. The park is shaped like an “L” and you can’t see the whole park at once. This can be a drawback if kids want to play in diff erent areas. 12424 103rd Ave. NE, Kirkland 98034

Castle Playground: North Rose Hill Woodlands Park

Kids of all ages will enjoy running around and playing hide-andseek in this old-school wooden playground. There is a fenced play area for younger kids, and a dragon-themed climbing wall for older ones. 9930 124th Ave. NE, Kirkland 98033

Dragon Playground, Deane’s Children’s Park If

a 50-foot-long climbable dragon sculpture sounds fun, this is the park for you! Kids (4-10) will love playing on the dragon, as well as two playgrounds and a climbing area. Toddlers (1-3) will enjoy the bucket swings. There are tennis courts and sports fi elds, as well as short hiking trails to round out the fun. 5701 Island Crest Way, Mercer Island 98040

Chutes & Ladders Playground: West Fenwick Park

Whether your kids play Chutes & Ladders or not, this life-size version of the popular game is sure to be a hit. Kids ages 1-10 can climb, slide, hop and swing on colorful, accessible play structures. This park intermixes play structures designed for diff erent ages, making it easier to keep an eye on a few children at the same time. 3808 S Reith Road, Kent 98032