Darien Playgrounds: A Video Tour

At long last, and with great satisfaction — as this has been a goal of mine since starting the site 2 years ago — I bring to you a video tour of the various public playgrounds around town (minus the elementary school playgrounds, I’ll have to capture those on a weekend so the principals don’t think I’m a scary kid stalker, video-ing the school playground).

My primary goal with these videos, in addition to being able to write off my iPhone as a business expense (ha), is to give those of you who are unfamiliar with the playgrounds an ability to assess whether it is going to be age and activity-appropriate for your little ones. And, of course, to help you plan ahead for things like food and bathrooms (or lack thereof — if you haven’t read the fun and controversial ‘pee pee etiquette’ post, you should!)

And please, for those of you who are regulars to any of these places or have insider tips beyond what’s here, add them as a comment for the benefit of the rest of us!

So here we go: it’s a long post, and the playgrounds and videos are listed in alphabetical order so keep a-scrolling.  And might I also add a disclaimer: the glory of being a blog-based “insider guide” is that this site and its content are not held to the same journalistic standards as major publications, and therefore my remedial, iPhone video skills will not qualify for me an Emmy nomination: and I’m okay with that!  Hope you are too ….

Baker Park Playground

Off Noroton Ave, just past 1-95 Exit 10 overpass towards Post Road

Features

Playsurface: wood chips

Kid Swings: No

Baby Swings: No

Public Bathroom: No

Sandbox: No

Run & Play Space: Yes

Picnic-Friendly: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Shaded Play Areas: 50%

Gated/ Fenced In: 50%

Handicapped Accessible: Not Really

***

***

Cherry Lawn Playground

Off Brookside Road, just past Overbrook: also home to Darien Nature Center

Features

Playsurface: sand on Toddler Playground, wood chips on Big Kid Playground

Kid Swings: Yes

Baby Swings: Yes

Public Bathroom: Yes

Sandbox: Yes

Run & Play Space: Yes

Picnic-Friendly: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Shaded Play Areas: No

Gated/ Fenced In: Toddler Park: Yes, Bigger Kid Playground: No

Handicapped Accessible: 50%

***

***

McGuane Playground

Off Noroton Ave, just behind Noroton Heights Fire Station

Features

Playsurface: cushy rubber

Kid Swings: Yes

Baby Swings: Yes

Public Bathroom: Yes

Sandbox: No

Run & Play Space: Yes

Picnic-Friendly: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Shaded Play Areas: No

Gated/ Fenced In: No

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

***

***

Noroton Presbyterian Church Playground

Corner of Noroton Ave and Post Road

Note: Primary Playground Not Open to Public During Nursery School Hours (9am to 3:30pm weekdays); Tot Drop Playground Not Open to Public During Tot Drop Hours (8am to 6pm weekdays)

Features

Playsurface: grass, wood chips

Kid Swings: No

Baby Swings: No

Public Bathroom: No

Sandbox: Yes

Run & Play Space: Yes

Picnic-Friendly: Yes

Dogs Allowed: No

Shaded Play Areas: 50%

Gated/ Fenced In: Yes

Handicapped Accessible: 50%

***

***

Weed Beach Playground/ Playground By The Sound

Off Nearwater Lane

Note: Beach Permit required for entry between Memorial Day and Labor Day.

While filming this on a crisp sunny weekday morning with the sun warm on my face, the soothing smell of saltwater and the calming sound of a seagull in the background, I couldn’t help but wonder how anyone could consider living anywhere else in Fairfield County

Features

Playsurface: Sand

Kid Swings: Yes

Baby Swings: Yes

Public Bathroom: Yes

Sandbox: Yes

Run & Play Space: Yes

Picnic-Friendly: Yes

Dogs Allowed: Yes

Shaded Play Areas: No

Gated/ Fenced In: No

Handicapped Accessible: Yes

*the playground’s innovative WATER FEATURES will keep the kids busy for hours, and special heat-proof playstructure material will keep bare feet nice and cool

*****************

*****************

So there you have it, so far: please leave any and all comments below!

For more ideas and information about things to do throughout Fairfield County, check out my friend Meg’s site at FairfieldCountyChild.com.

• Share on Facebook
• Tweet This
• Stumble This
• Digg This
• Share on Delicious
• Tags: Featured, Playgrounds, Things To Do, video