If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery then Nellie-Rose is taking it all in at a very young age. Today I catch myself giving her the gears with the raised voice and consternated face combo. We are on our first outing at the Caudle Park Elementary School Playground (map) and our girl of the insatiable curiosity will not stop picking up nastiness from the ground – hardened abc (already been chewed) gum, nicotine soaked cigarette butt filters, stray pieces of foil paper and other unsavoury wisps of garbage.
I’m talking until I’m blue in the face. I finally knock a piece of blue gum out of her hand and let loose with a dressing down. A few minutes later it is imitation time with mimicry bordering on mockery. Nellie animates her face, purses her lips, makes a tight ‘o’ out of her mouth and lowers her voice an octave as she gesticulates in my general direction with a leisurely stream of unintelligible utterances reminiscent of the off stage, woh-woh-woh sounds attributed to adults in Charlie Brown TV specials. All the while she is having a hard time from breaking out laughing. I just woh-woh-woh right back at her while laughing riotously inside.
The primary structure at Caudle Park (photos) was installed earlier this summer. Here is another example of a community effort engaging with municipal and provincial governments and other supporters to help promote healthy play. About 50 metres away, there is a second structure which is in the process of being installed. Many thanks to Scott for suggesting a trip to Lower Sackville to check this playground out.
Noah and Nellie are a great tag team during our nearly 90 minute play visit. They are climbing, sliding, spinning, rolling, zipping and jumping onto, or off of every component of this spanking brand new equipment. We arrive early in the morning before the sun can do its magic and have to wipe down the slides. Otherwise it will be soggy butt time and from experience I know this can have a significant impact on reducing enjoyment – both parents and kids.
The triple side-by-side slides with wide base bottoms are a big hit with both kids. Noah moves a bit faster so he gets more up and down trips in. Nellie is loving it too – she needs no help and launches herself from the top with abandon. The triple slalom deluxe is accessible via a wide ramp that ends at the base of a final step that gives directly onto the slides. There is also a second shorter double side-by-side slide with a gentler slope making for five sliding lanes in total – plenty of opportunity for squeals of delight. As there’s no congestion or line up for the big triple side-by-side, Nellie and Noah show no interest at all in the smaller double lane model.
The egg beater is a piece of equipment that we’ve never seen before. Nellie is too small to work this self-propelled ride but Noah cottons on after a couple of attempts. The egg beater is a cylindrical chamber inclined at approximately an 80 degree angle that rotates on a spindle. A circular platform on the bottom provides footing and three twisting steel pipes form the chamber, connecting top and bottom, and provide hand grips. To note – adults can fit into this piece of equipment and take it for a test spin. A word of warning though, it has the potential of causing a queasy stomach and dizziness. Noah is constantly on and off of the egg beater. He’ll be a fluffy omelette before we leave. On subsequent visits, I’m sure he will straightaway run and hop onto this.
There are a variety of climbing apparatus ranging from ladders to poles with plate-like platforms for sturdy footholds that give access onto the larger structure of slides, steps, raised platforms, ramps and walkways. There is also a zipper that Noah enjoys gripping onto as he silently slides with the greatest of ease along the guided track a full body length and more above the ground.
There is something here for everyone – toddlers, pre-schoolers and the primary school crowd. The new structure is shaded in the mornings and equipment will be damp with dew. The entire structure is surrounded with rubberized surfaces.
A very quick (and silent) visit to the playground:
Around the back of the school is a large playing field with a baseball diamond. Next to it is a fenced in basketball court. There is also a climbing, balance, monkey bar structure around the back in a pebble infill pit. This is more suitable to the elementary school set.
After school and weekends, parking is available on the school grounds. Bus numbers 84, 85, 87 and 88 stop on Glendale in the vicinity of the school.
This is a great playground to visit if you’ve had to make a visit to the Cobequid Community Health Centre which is quite close by on Cobequid Road.
Please note:
the slope which begins close to the bottom of the three lane slide is quite steep and could easily result in tumbles for toddlers;
currently the industrial size garbage containers are positioned quite close to the play area and there is more garbage on the ground than I’ve seen at most playgrounds;
at present there are no swings at this playground;
children three and under should be closely supervised with the egg beater – beware of sore tummies.
No comments:
Post a Comment