Favorite Playground and Park Locations Around New England 
From Our Members... 
Originally printed in July 2003

At recent Moms and Dads Nights Out, members were asked to discuss their favorite 
playground and park locations around New England.  This is what they had to say...

Some of the Dedham moms really liked the Millenium Park in West Roxbury.  It's behind 
the Home Depot.  One of the reasons they liked it is because it is fenced in.  They also 
like the Needham Tot Lot near the Needham DPW.  I live in Norwood and have used the 
Bond Street Tot Lot.  It's on Bond Street (of course) and it's near Caritas Hospital.  It has 
swings that are set apart from the climbing structure and a little car and house to play in.  
It's also fenced in.  Another good playground for tots as well as big kids is the one in 
Sherburne off of Rte. 27, near the cemetery.  There are two separate areas - one for little 
kids and a big climbing structure with slides for the big kids.  The organizers of this 
playground included some creative pieces for kids to play on.  The Medfield Playground 
on Greene Street is also a fun place, but it's not closed in.  They have a supply of cozy 
coupes and other ride-on toys for younger kids.  They also supply sand toys.  The 
Dedham playground/park was not closed in enough and the two gates opened up too 
close to the street.  This playground did not get high marks from our group.  They weren't 
sure of the address but were guessing Eastern Avenue.  I know one mom who keeps sand 
toys in her minivan for when they stop at a playground.  Most playgrounds use sand for 
their surfaces.  We hope you will enjoy our suggestions and if you have any you want to 
include, please forward them to me or bring them up for discussion at your next MNO 
and include it in your write up.    ~Laurie

The Scituate playgrounds that are good are the Purple Dinosaur for little ones (under 4) - 
a lot of shade, gated, 2 picnic tables, no porta potty, and a field/baseball diamond to run 
next to it.  The high school/seaside playground is good for 4 and over.  No shade, 2 picnic 
tables, a port-a-potty, it's gated and has a skateboard park, rollerblade rink, tennis court, 
track and toddler playground nearby.  Both playgrounds can get somewhat crowded, but 
there is always room.  In Marshfield, there is a playground call the Mazes that is partially 
gated, has some picnic tables, some shade and no toilets.  The kids love it but there are a 
lot of nooks and crannies and it is hard to keep sight of them.  There is a WIDE range of 
kids that play and hang out there.    ~Christine

Our kids like to go to Drummond Park, just off the common in the old center of North 
Andover.  Positives:  It is relatively new and has great fields adjacent to the playground 
for playing ball, running around, etc.  A fire station across the street makes for 
unexpected action.  It also has some shade at times during sunny, summer days.  
Negatives:  It is very heavily used and not as clean as it could be (the trash doesn't seem 
to get emptied very often and there is trash around the playground).  Because of the 
shade, the drainage is not great so it remains wet long after most other playgrounds have 
dried off.  There aren't enough tables for snacks.  Also, there are no bathrooms or port-a-
potties.

Another great playground is Saunders Park on the grounds of Tewksbury State Hospital 
in Tewksbury.  It was new in the spring of 2001 and has separate areas for older kids and 
toddlers.  It is wide open, with no shade, except the gazebo that has several tables for 
lunch/snacks.  Saunders also has lots of playing fields adjacent to the playground.  There 
are port-a-potties adjacent to the playground - not that they are the best alternative - that I 
have found to be generally clean.

When we're traveling in the summer, our favorite southern Maine playground is in 
Kennebunkport, behind the elementary school that is used as the ancillary parking lot for 
the town (it has a shuttle service into town).  It was also new in the spring of 2001.  It has 
no shade, but sometimes, cloudy days at the beach can be fun some place other than in 
the sand.  It has lots of swings and there are some good playing fields there too.  If you're 
just looking for playing fields, the best we've found in southern Maine are in Saco on the 
campus of Berwick Academy.  Generally, they have no problem with pick up games of 
softball/baseball, football, frisbee, dog walking or even using remote control airplanes!!    
~Catherine

There is a beautiful, new and fenced in playground on Page Street in Avon.  It is nice 
with the fence and the fact that it is brand new.  No bathrooms and no fountains.  The 
parking is on the street so you have to watch the little ones close until you get into the 
park.    ~Deb

I met my parents in Woburn the other day, and came upon a McDonalds that had an 
indoor tunnel/playground attached to the restaurant that is completely free.  Plenty of 
tables, and even video games for older kids.  They say that the height limit is 4".  It was 
fun for the kids, although they didn't want to eat lunch!  It's exit 33A off of Rte. 128 
southbound.    ~Kristen

Here are some great playgrounds on the North Shore of Boston:  First, Masconomo Park 
in Manchester-By-The-Sea on Beach Street, exit 15 off 128 North.  Take School Street 
through town and left on to Central, which becomes Beach Street.  New play structure on 
the harbor put in by Mother's Club last summer 2002.  Two structures; one for above 5 
and one for toddlers.  You can head over to the pier and see the lobstermen hauling in 
their traps and throw bread to the ducks.  Captain Dusty's Ice Cream, with the LARGEST 
small ice cream this side of Mississippi, is across the street.  You can also walk up the hill 
about a half a mile to Singing Beach.  Second, Stage Fort Park in Gloucester, MA, exit 16 
off 128 North.  Take Essex Avenue to Boulevard (Western Avenue), take first right then 
first left up hill to Stage Fort Park.  May be a cost for parking for more than 1 hour.  
Lovely new play structure, plus pirate ship, twin light houses, monster car, swings, see-
saws.  Overlooking Gloucester Harbor.  Take a walk past see-saws to see old cannons 
that defended Gloucester Harbor and then stroll down to lovely Half Moon Beach to stick 
your feet in the water.  Extensive public restrooms and visitor center.  Good picnic 
facilities, Cupboard Restaurant/ice cream parlor down the hill from park.    ~Sue

The playgrounds we go to and love are Treasure Island in Oxford and Dean Park in 
Shrewsbury.  Also, this is further, but Roger Williams Zoo in RI has a great playground 
with a separate area for the smaller kids.  We really enjoyed going there when the boys 
were small.  This is in an area outside of the zoo so it is free.  I have heard that Spencer 
has a great playground also with a separate area for the smaller kids.  Not sure what it is 
called and we haven't made it there yet!    ~Joyce

We love Piers Park on Marginal Street in East Boston.  It juts out into the water on the 
north shore and the views of Boston are breathtaking.  Many local people don't even 
know it exists due to the fact that it's in the Maverick area of East Boston, an area long 
thought of to be slummy.  Despite the area's reputation, this park is gorgeous, clean, and 
safe (policed during open hours).  It has two age-appropriate playgrounds, bathrooms 
(handicapped accessible), water fountains, benches, some tables, and limited parking.  
There are lovely shade trees to read under and an area for various types of performances.  
On the flip side, avoid Constitution Beach, also in East Boston.  Before Memorial Day, 
it's nice — a great place to walk and watch planes take off from Logan.  After, it's 
overcrowded, dirty, and the playground is overrun with unruly teens.     ~Renée

The Boston Common "Tadpole" Playground was recently renovated!  Beautiful details, 
including colorful mosaics, bronze frog statues, and colored concrete make it unique.  
The old play structure has been replaced by an accessible, updated one (that allows 
greater visibility across the playground) with safer, resilient surfacing.  The play structure 
is geared toward school-aged children and unfortunately, there isn't a separate area for 
toddlers.  Be sure to deck the kids out in bathing suits so they can enjoy the play spray 
fountain.  It's located in the northeast corner of Boston Common, adjacent to the Frog 
Pond (which has restrooms) and not far from the Park Street and Boylston T stops.  It's a 
great place to let the kids cut loose if you're downtown.  Due to its location, the 
playground tends to crowd quickly, but it is completely fenced in and there are plenty of 
benches for caregivers who need a rest.  Check out photos of the playground at 
http://www.copley-wolff.com/projects/parks/bcplayground.html    ~Marcia