Since my husband and I recently added a two-year-old to our household, I’m re-exploring Austin’s parks with a new perspective. One of my favorite neighborhood parks has long been Shipe Park, and it still is. Shipe is a small park, but I find it has everything I want. Here’s what I think makes a good park to bring small children to:
- A shady playground with shaded seating for parents, too
- Working, unlocked restrooms
- Enough play equipment for the number of users, so the kids aren’t trampling all over each other
- Some natural areas for kids to escape the pre-fabricated plastic playground and explore the wonders of plants, bugs, creeks, etc.
I’d be interested in hearing what you think makes a park a good plays for tots, and what other Austin parks rate highly on your list for them.