1105 E. Nicholls Road, Fruit Heights, UT 84037
This is a brand new playground in late summer 2019 at a park in Fruit Heights, Utah. Park amenities include 2 play structures, swings, covered picnic tables, walking trails by the trees and restrooms.
This park features a separate play structure rated for 2-5 year olds. It looks like a pirate ship and features many elements on ground level including a tunnel, mix and match animals, a steering level , a table for pretend play, a gear panel and lots of port hole windows. On the elevated platform there are 2 slides, a small corkscrew climber, another steering wheel, parascope and stairs for access.
To go along with the sailing/water theme there is a large sea monster that kids can climb on.
Past the pirate ship there are all the different types of swings.
They have lots of swings at this new park with 4 regular swings, 2 infant/toddler swings, 2 ADA accessible high back swings with harnesses and one swing that a parent can swing with an infant or toddler facing them (Little Tikes calls it a generation swing).
My 3 year old had never sat in one of the parent/child swings before and loved that I was swinging with him face to face. I found it a little hard to get on the swing as a short lady (5' 2"), but I also enjoyed it.
The main play structure is a very large wheelchair accessible structure that goes in a u shape with connecting ramps, slides, plastic rock stairs, chain ladders, tic tac toe panels, sensory panels, and circle stepping stones and a balance beam in the center. The whole play structure has a castle theme, similar to the old castle park, but a lot newer (and safer). All the castle windows are a nice touch and really did well for the theming.
Past the main play structure there is a rafting boat swing with the words "adventure rafting" written on the side. The swing has a solid bottom and two separate seats for kids. All the kids here loved this added bonus swing and had lots of fun pretending to raft down the "water".
One thing that is hard to capture in the pictures is how long and expansive the ramps and bridges on the playground are. My preschoolers got quite a bit of exercise just running up and down the ramps, going down all the slides and then running back through the play structure again. I like that this structure is big enough that they get exercise in and aren't stationary like in smaller parks.
There is also a sidewalk that circles the entire playground and connects to the wheelchair ramp on the structure. The circling sidewalk is a great place to let young children ride scooters or non-pedal bikes while playing at the playground for even more exercise.
In the center of the u shape there are lots of swinging circle stepping stones and a balance beam. It was kind of hard to get a picture of this area because all the moms with little kids were sitting on the balance beams talking, as there are currently no benches at the park.
Because of all the ramps and bridges this play structure is set higher off the ground and there is plenty of room for kids to play under the structure itself in the shade and there are also many pretend windows and elements under the structure to play on.
There are restrooms located at the park on the west end with a covered pavilion, but they are quite a ways away from the playground. When you walk to the restrooms, it is far enough away that you can't see most of the area on the playground or be able to run to them if they need assistance.
This picture was taken at the entrance to the restrooms showing the distance to the playground. It does appear that the city plans to put in benches, picnic tables and newer restroom buildings at the park when donations or funds become available, but it is unclear if the restrooms will be closer to the playground.
Pros:
- brand new playground with wheelchair ramps
- ADA accessible swings and generation swing at park
- fun themed elements
- shaded trails along tree line
Cons:
- restrooms far away from playground
- no shade on playground
- no benches currently
- wood chip base may still limit accessibility for children with wheelchairs or limited mobility
No comments