Over the past year, our city has been developing a new 250-acre green space for our community, converting an old factory area into a gorgeous outdoor park area. I will admit that when they first were talking about the idea, I was less than thrilled. How could they develop a "park" without playground equipment for kids? They were really calling this a family friendly park?
Well, they proved me wrong. Kids don't need playground equipment. Give them lots of green space to run and play. Give them several ponds and lakes with tons of geese and rocks to skip across the lakes. Give them a natural bridge out to an island. The kids will have a blast. And that is exactly what happened at our recent visit to Ariel-Foundation Park.
We had lunch at one of the many picnic areas in the park and then explored the large lake first...seeing lots of geese. Bill tried teaching the kids how to skip rocks across the lake.
There were many places to take pictures as the scenery is beautiful.
Then we went to the other side of the park, called the Ruins, where there are parts of the old glass factory that used to be there. There are sculptures and half of buildings where you can learn about the history of the area. There is also a smokestack that you can climb half-way up (if you are willing to do the 224 steps). I have done it once in the past and it is a workout. Rebecca really wanted to climb it, so she and Bill did. I stayed on the ground with Jacob and Benjamin.
Overall, it was a great family fun day at the park!
Fantastic! Play does not have to be limited to swings and slides. Glad you found another type of play option!
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