ML Interest Tag: parkway

If You Can’t Stand The Heat: 6 Places to Get Soaked

by Phebe Wahl

Somehow Spring passed in a flash and Summer is already heating up. Great thing the metro area is packed with indoor and outdoor aquatic centers and splash zones perfect for cooling off. Check out where to get wet and keep your cool this season.

Piedmont Park Aquatic Center
As if you needed another reason to love the gem that is Piedmont Park. The clean, kid-friendly outdoor pool is surrounded by a current channel, perfect for little floaters, and fun fountains. If you’re just looking for a quick splash, the Legacy Fountain features more than 70 jets reaching up to 30 feet in the air and an amazing lighting feature sure to stimulate the senses. Opens Sunday, May 25.

Where: 1320 Monroe Drive NE
Cost: Aquatic Center, adults, $4; ages 6-16, $2; ages 5 and under, $1; Legacy Fountain, free.

Cherokee Aquatic Center
Just up the road from the Outlet Shoppes of Atlanta and Downtown Woodstock, this center in Holly Springs rivals the best of water parks. With two wild water slides, a playground featuring water cannons, geysers, deck sprays and basketball hoops, it’s truly an outdoor oasis. The zero-depth entry and current channel make it great for toddlers and preschoolers, too. Since they do not allow any outside food or drink, the facility also prides itself on offering healthy concessions.  Outdoor oasis opens Saturday, May 17. The indoor pools are currently open.

Where: 1200 Gresham Mill Parkway, Holly Springs
Cost: Adults, $6; ages, 2-13, $5; under 2, free

D.H. Stanton Park Splash ‘N Play
Kids love the spray jets and stationary water cannons at this free splashpad, which also happens to be the first solar-powered park in the city. There’s something about cooling off in an eco-friendly way that makes it just a little more awesome – to mom and dad, at least. Opens Thursday, May 1.

Where: 1052 Martin Street SE
Cost: Free 

South Cobb Aquatic Center
Giant twisting slide, check. Lazy river, check. Little ones can take it slower down the smaller tube slide while the big kids splash it out on the big. Prepare for lots of fun for everyone and, if you have any energy left, Six Flags is down the street.

Where: 875 Six Flags Drive, Austell
Cost: Adults, $4.50; ages 2-17, $3.50; under 2, free.

Bethesda Park Aquatic Center
If there was ever a place to vent out sibling rivalry, the dunking buckets here are beyond perfect. This indoor center has a little something for everyone, including a play structure with a two-feet deep area especially for the younger set, 100 pounds or less. And, a 100-foot enclosed slide sure to cause some screaming. Did we mention the vortex, ceiling spray and hydrotherapy benches? They have those, too.

Where: 225 Bethesda Church Road, Lawrenceville
Cost: Adults, $10; ages 4-10, $8, 3 and under, $4. Half price for Gwinnett residents and their guests.

Splash Zone at Wills Park
All swim-tennis communities aside, we love this family-centric public pool in the ‘burbs. With a dumping pelican, water tunnel and giant whale, this city pool offers kids 2,000 square feet of fun. Perfect for the pitter-pattering of little ones just starting to get their feet wet.  Opens Memorial Day weekend.

Where: 1815 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta
Cost: Adults, $3; ages 50 and older, $1; ages 3 and under, free.

Where will you keep cool this summer? Tell us in the comments section below!

—Nicole Williams

Photos courtesy of Piedmont Park Conservancy via Facebook, Cobb County Aquatic Center via Facebook, Gwinnett Park Life via Facebook, City of Alpharetta Recreation and Parks Department and Play Atlanta

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Who Let the Dogs Out? Best Off-Leash Areas for Pooches & Kids

by Helen Walker Green

“Big dogs, little dogs, red dogs, blue dogs….“ Dog parks aren’t quite as happening as P.D. Eastman’s Go, Dog. Go!, but they’re still quite a Dog Party. If you’ve got a pooch and a kid (or multiples of either), we’ve rounded up the best places around the city to spend the day with the fam, tails ‘n’ all. Flip through the gallery to get the poop, er scoop.

Off Leash Area Edmonds (OLAE)

The OLAE is a fave of pooches and kids alike - dogs can take the plunge into beautiful blue Puget Sound, run, jump and play on a driftwood-strewn beach, and try their paw at an agility course. This dog park is on the Whale Trail, so you can do some whale-watching while your pooch is squirrel-watching. There’s a grassy spot nearby, perfect for picnicking, and a small playground for younger kids (with no less than three slides). Afterwards, take those sandy paws and sneakers for a walk along the Edmonds Boardwalk, where kids can spot different kinds of boats and marine life and pooches can spot squirrels.

Good to Know: If you have more than one grown-up on hand, you can also explore the non-dog park part of the beach. You’ll need that extra grown-up to keep an eye on the dogs though, as Edmonds beaches are marine sanctuaries (no dogs allowed).

Insider Tip: If your little one is a train buff, this is the dog park for him or her – a train track runs right by the park and kiddos can get a close-up view of freight trains, the Sounder and Amtrak.

Off Leash Area Edmonds
498 Admiral Way
Edmonds Wa 98020
Online: olae.org

photo: Helen Walker Green

Dog Park Etiquette for Kids
Kids and dogs can have a very special relationship, but please use caution in the dog park. Remember that this is the pooches’ park and little ones need to know how to behave around dogs. Here are some tips to keep everyone in your brood safe and happy:

1. Never bring food or toys to the park (dog toys are fine, or course).

2. Keep a close eye on your kids, especially tots.

3. Discourage your kids from running, dogs may think they want to play chase.

4. Teach your tyke to always ask the dog’s human if it’s OK to pet their dog.

5. Dog parks are not the place to help your little one get over their fear of dogs – there’s too many dogs, and most are in that rambunctious,”Hey, wanna play?” mood. Setting up a quiet meeting with a friend or family member’s mellow dog is a much better place to start.

Where is your favorite off-leash area? Tell us about it in a comment below.

— Helen Walker Green

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3 Places to See Fantastic Fall Foliage

by Phebe Wahl

After the dog days of an Atlanta summer, there is nothing quite like the crisp air and vibrant colors of fall to put the pep back into the kiddos step. Celebrate the season with a family trip to take in one of nature’s most beautiful shows: the peak of fall leaves! From near to far, from easy to adventurous, we’ve focused in on three spots to see the fall colors. But hurry, autumn in Atlanta doesn’t last nearly as long as we would like. Leaves usually peak during mid to late October.  

Sweetwater Creek
Want to stick a little closer to home? You don’t have to hike to the mountains to see amazing fall color. West of Atlanta and just off I-20 are acres of beautifully wooded wilderness, nature trails and a reservoir perfect for fishing. Be sure to check out the red trail for fall colors and a bit of history. This trail meanders along the stream, leading to the ruins of an old mill that was burnt down during the civil war. From there the red trail climbs into bluffs offering views of the rapids below. Note: The second half of the red trail is for kiddos well beyond the toddling stage, but check out the yellow trail for a simple and scenic walk.

Why Not? Pack a picnic for chilling by the water. Bring bread crumbs for the ducks and don’t forget to swing by the playground before you make the short trip back home.

1750 Mount Vernon Rd Lithia Springs, GA 30122

Blood Mountain
Brisk weather got the fam feeling bold? Maybe you should climb a mountain. Blood Mountain offers some serious views, but is completely accessible to the not so serious family of hikers. Head to Lake Winfield Scott, a beautiful mountain pond just south of Blairsville, Georgia, and take the Slaughter Creek trail to the top of Blood Mountain.  This is an easy to moderate hike, just be sure to bring plenty of water for everyone. Scenic views and fall foliage abound once you reach the top!

Why Not? Check out the old summit shelter, a creepy yet cool two-room stone cabin built in the 1930’s. Then head back down to Lake Winfield Scott for a picnic and some playground time.

For more information:  www.fs.usda.gov

 

The Blue Ridge Parkway
Why not have a full fledge fall adventure and take a road trip? Breathtakingly beautiful and a blast with the kiddos, driving the Blue Ridge Parkway is an iconic American experience. The parkway runs for 469 miles, so there is certainly no shortage of fall fun to be had. For an amazing day drive, we suggest cruising from Cherokee to Ashville, North Carolina. From the town of Cherokee, you can enter the parkway just inside the Great Smoky Mountains. On your way to Ashville, you’ll be surrounded by magnificent mountain views, you’ll pass through several roadway tunnels, and glimpse waterfalls, which are all sure to elicit “oohs and ahhs” from the little ones. End this leg of your road trip in Ashville, a super cool mountain city offering fantastic restaurants and site seeing options all in a laid back, family friendly environment.

Why Not? Swing by Pisgah Inn and Country store, it’s a great place to stop for lunch; their dining room has enormous windows and impressive views. Plus, who doesn’t love a country store?  Make this road trip your own: create a fun playlist, or a make a “Country Road” trip scavenger hunt.

For more information:  www.blueridgeparkway.org

Want more fall fun? Click here for our list of tot-friendly day hikes, or here for some picture-perfect spots to snap your fall family photos. Got a favorite spot to see the leaves? Tell us below!

—Candice Rose

Photos courtesy of Creative Commons via Flickr

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The Kid-Friendliest San Diego Shopping Centers

by Leah R. Singer

There are times when we want to take our kids to a water park, zoo or museum for a fun day out. Then there are times when we want to forgo the amusement parks and opt for the shopping malls to take care of much-needed  errands. Fortunately, so many San Diego shopping centers are kid-friendly and have lots of activities to make sure your little rugrats have fun on the shopping trip too. Here’s a look at a few San Diego spots that are both mom- and kid- approved.

Westfield UTC
This La Jolla shopping center has lots of family-friendly nooks and crannies that will make kids excited to go shopping with mom. Kids will have a great time playing on the jungle gym (located just outside Macy’s). There is climbing equipment for toddlers, as well as special equipment for those just a bit too big to mix with the babies. You can watch your kids play and check email (free Wi-Fi throughout the mall) while lounging in a comfortable cabana-style chair. Next to the jungle gym is an in door toddler play space, a nursing station, a mini kitchen, and clean bathrooms with little potties. If the jungle gym isn’t your kid’s thing, head to the choo choo train for a fun ride.

Westfield UTC
4545 La Jolla Village Dr.
San Diego, Ca
Online: westfield.com/utc

Westfield Parkway
The East County Westfield Parkway is one of the kid-friendliest places to hang out. Arriving to the mall is easy with designated up-front family parking spaces for expectant moms and families with kids. The family friendly parking is located in the parking structure between JCPenney and Macy’s, as well as in the parking structure between Walmart and the Food Court. Once you’re settled into the mall, bring the wee ones to the two-level carousel inside the mall. Kids will have fun on this magical ride (only $3 per rider). The mall also has a family lounge where parents can relax and recharge, and a play space (located next to JC Penny’s) where kids can climb and explore the bright, colorful play area with animal characters, large puzzles, and play with other children.

Westfield Parkway
415 Parkway Plaza
El Cajon, Ca
Online: westfield.com/parkway

Westfield North County
What makes this North County inland mall so fun for kids are its free special events. From Aug. 22-25, 2013 Westfield North County will feature Fashion Fun throughout the mall.  Young shoppers can get ready for school by visiting stops throughout the mall such as the Braid Bar, Nail Art, and Meet-the-Stylist. On August 30, 2013 kids can enjoy a life Octonauts performance.  The Octonauts – popularized by the Disney television show – follows an underwater exploring team of eight adventurers who live in an undersea base, the Octopod, from where they go on undersea adventures with the help of a fleet of aquatic vehicles. Of course, Westfield North County also features a family lounge with a nursing station and kitchen, as well as a place space for kids to climb and explore (located next to Sears).

Westfield North County
272 East Via Rancho Parkway
Escondido, Ca
Online: westfield.com/northcounty

Seaport Village
Nobody says shopping has to take place in a mall. Located on the San Diego bayfront, Seaport Village offers parents several different boutiques and shops to visit, while kiddos will have plenty of fun too. Kids love the historic carousel (only $2 to ride) or you can pick up a kite at the Kite Flite shop and see how far it can fly. If you’re into simple and no-cost entertainment, the young ones will keep busy spotting boats, birds and ducks. If you’re into books, be sure to stop by the Upstart Crow Coffeehouse and Bookstore. The independent bookseller offers lots of reading nooks for ground-ups and kiddos.

Seaport Village
849 West Harbor Dr.
San Diego, Ca
Online: seaportvillage.com

What do you think are the best kid-friendly attributes of these shopping centers? Tell us below!

— Leah R. Singer

Photos by Westfield UTC, Leah R. Singer and the Seaport Village Facebook page.

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Downtown Redmond and Redmond Town Center

by Jacqui Boland


Santa isn’t the only one multi-tasking this time of year. With all the gift-buying, card-mailing and house-decorating to do, the holidays feel more like a holi-daze. Which is why you should pack up the kiddos and head to Redmond Town Center (www.redmondtowncenter.com), where you can mix seasonal biz with seasonal fizz. Gifts? See the gorgeous holiday collections of baby and kids’ clothing at Naartjie. Cards? Pose with Santa in Center Street Plaza or hit another great photo op: the live reindeer which are stationed at the Saturday Market Pavilion (the corner of Leary Way and Bear Creek Parkway). Decorating? A ride on the Holiday Train, which tours all of RTC’s dazzling light displays, is sure to inspire. Catch the train from NE 74th Street, in front of Information Central. (Cost is $3 per person. For times, go to redmondtowncenter.com. This Sunday from 4 to 8 p.m., enjoy the annual RedmondLights celebration. Start with the tree lighting at Redmond City Hall, and then leisurely stroll along the luminary-lined Sammamish River Trail, along the way watching live entertainment. The evening ends at RTC, where there are family-friendly activities on every corner and free food samples from numerous Redmond restaurants.


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