Wheelock Park, Keene, NH (4 smiles)

We went to Wheelock Park in Keene, NH and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty.  When you come in through the the main entrance take your first left.  The playground is down that little road.

Bathrooms:  There are bathrooms on site, but they were not open when we were there.  They must open later in the season.  Anybody been there?  Please comment if you know when the bathrooms open.

Structures:  There are three structures with lots of slides, fun tunnels, bridges and ladders.  

Picnic tables:  There are picnic tables scattered all around.

Overall:  We really enjoyed this playground.  There are woods around it that are fun to walk through and a large field right next to it.  I noticed bbq grills, a basketball hoop and there is also a smaller playground past the field.  The playground was under pretty good shade.  We will definitely go back when we are in the Keene area!

Derryfield Park, Manchester, NH (4 smiles)

We went to Derryfield Park in Manchester today and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  There is a port-o-potty onsite.

Structures:  There is one really large structure  with lots of slides, steps, ramps, monkey bars, etc.  There is also a smaller structure geared for toddlers.  There are a lot of swings and this really neat boat that rocks back and forth.  There is a spot that I believe is for picnic tables, but they were not out yet.  There are lots of benches around to sit on.

Picnic Tables:  They were not out yet, but I was told that they do have picnic tables out in the summer.

Overall:  Great playground!  We had fun and the playground is large enough that there is plenty of space and equipment for the all the kids to get a turn.  The large structure is rated for 5-12 year olds, but all of the younger kids were having a blast on it also.  Next time I am in the area, I will definitely stop by!

Ann DeNicola Memorial Playground, Bedford, NH (4 smiles)

We went to the Ann DeNicola Memorial Playground (formally known as Timber Town Playground) in Bedford today and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty.  There is a small lot right in front of the playground, but there is a huge lot behind/to the side of the playground.

Bathrooms:  There is a port-a-potty onsite.

Structures:  There is a huge structure that has slides, tunnels, climbing structures, a rope bridge, lots of things to climb on and into and this cool roller slide that my son loved!  There is also a smaller structure for children 2-5 yrs old that has slides, a climbing wall a tunnel and a little playhouse area under it.  There are lots of swings.

Picnic tables:  This is the first playground I have been to that still has the mesh canopy over picnic tables!  There is also picnic tables scattered around the playground.

Overall:  One of my favorites in this area so far!  I really liked that the playground is very large.  There is plenty of space for the kids to play and not have to wait too long to get a turn down the slide.  There are slides everywhere!  The smaller structure is for children 2-5 and the larger structure is for children 5-12, but kids of all ages were on all the equipment.  I was only concerned when my son was standing around the open areas of the structure that have a poll or a rope to slide down.  With encouraging I persuaded him to move on to the slide...!

Center of New Boston Playground, New Boston, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to the new playground in the center of New Boston yesterday and here is my review.....

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Parking:  We parked right at the Town Hall building parking lot.

Bathrooms:  There is a port-o-potty onsite.

Structures:  There is one large structure with slides, a climbing wall and monkey bars.  There is also a smaller structure with a slide.  There are smalls swings and up on the hill there are big swings.

Overall:  We had a great time.  The best part is that we went around 3:00 when school is out.  We walked from the playground through the ball field over to the New Boston Center School.  There are two other playgrounds on the school grounds.  We spent over an hour between these three playgrounds.  One really cool note about the playground behind the school, there is a slide built into the hill that is pretty fast.  My rating is based on the first playground, but if I rated them all together this spot is definitely 5 smiles!  If you are in New Boston or heading out that way definitely stop by for some fun!

Greeley Park, Nashua, NH (4 smiles)

We went to Greeley Park in Nashua, NH yesterday and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Along street or in the BBQ/Picnic area

Bathrooms:  There are two public bathrooms on site.  I was not able to go into the bathrooms to check for changing tables because my son saw the statue of an animals head on the wall and he would not go any further!  Anybody out there been into the bathrooms?  Let me know if you saw a changing table and I will update the post :)

Structures:  There is one toddler play structure with three slides, a tunnel to crawl through and steps to climb up and down on.  There are numerous swings, two larger slides and a monkey bar type climbing structure.

Picnic Tables:  There are picnic tables at the BBQ area.  

Overall:  This is a really nice park.  The playground area is not huge, but there are walking trails, a kiddie pool that I am not sure if it is only for Nashua residents (I will find out and update the post), public restrooms, a gazebo, lots of room to run and play and a wonderul BBQ/Picnic area with a large field.  The other side of the road has a pavilion where shows are held during the summer with sports fields.  We really enjoyed our time at Greeley Park.

Charlesbank Playground, Boston, MA (4.5 smiles)

We went to the Charlesbank Playground in Boston and here is my review.....

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Parking:  No parking on site.  It is very close to the Boston Museum of Science though.  We walked from there.

Bathrooms:  No bathrooms on site.

Structure:  There are two large structures and two rows of swings.

Picnic Tables:  There are a few onsite.

Overall:  We had a blast at this playground.  It is perfect for toddlers!  There are tunnels, steps, slides and swings.  The structures are very large.  If you are at the Boston Museum of Science it is worth taking the short walk to the Charlesbank Playground overlooking the Charles River.

Old Coach Road Playground, New Boston, NH (2 smiles)

We went to the playground located at the Ball field on Old Coach Road in New Boston, NH and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  There is a port-o-potty on site.

Structure:  There is one structure that has a couple of slides, monkey bars and sliding pole.

Picnic Tables:  I did not see any.

Overall:  It was okay to hang out there for a short time.  The structure is older with some damage to the slides.  It looks as though somebody tried to fix them, but adhesive patch that they used is peeling off.  There is a ball field on site. 

Kids Kingdom, Hampton, NH (4.5 smiles)

We went to Kids Kingdom in Hampton, NH and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  We went while the park is technically still closed for the season.  I did ask other parents that were there with their children about the bathrooms and they told me that there is a bathroom house on site.

Structures:  There are a lot of structures for the children to play on.  The best part for me was that almost all of the structures were geared for toddlers!  My son could climb on them all without me constantly asking him to back away from the sides!  I am always so scared he is going to take that step right out the huge opening.  You know the one with the flag pole that the bigger kids slide down.  Yeah, that one.

Picnic Tables:  There are a lot of picnic tables in the shaded area!

Overall:  I love this park.  They also have an ice cream concession stand!  If you head to Hampton this summer and need a break from the ocean, check out Kids Kingdom!

Planet Playground, Exeter, NH (4.5 smiles)

We went to Planet Playground in Exeter, NH today and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  There is a port-o-pottie on site.

Structures:  There is one very large wooden structure similar to White Park in Concord and Kid's Cove in Merrimack.  There are swings for all age groups.  

Picnic Tables:  Outside of the play area there are some picnic tables.  There is a sign that asks that you consume food and drinks in the picnic area only.

Overall:  This is a nice playground that is mostly in the shade.  There are bridges to cross, tunnels to crawl through, swings to play on and lots of little spots to explore.  They have colorful paintings on the structure.  My son enjoyed it and I had fun chasing him around!

Kid's Cove, Merrimack, NH (4.5 smiles)

We went to Kid's Cove in Merrimack, NH today and here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  There are a few port-o-potties on site.

Structures:  There is a great wooden structure that has tunnels, steps, slides, tires, bridges and little hiding spots!  There are swings for all ages and there is a neat car that kids can sit in.

Picnic Tables:  There are nice big picnic tables right near the structure.

Overall:  I have to say that this is the nicest park I have been to this year.  I love that fact that it is well shaded and it has a fence all the way around the park so the kids are not running off.  If you have been to White Park in Concord, it looks like it was built by the same company/person.  We spent about 1 hour and 1/2 here!  My son was very happy!  There is a trail that leads down to a river.  There are two bridges to cross over and the trail is pretty wide.  I would not recommend a stroller though.  There is quite a hill going down to the river.

Everybody in this area should go to Kid's Cove and check it out!  You know it's a great park when random kids are running by saying "I love Kid's Cove!"

Robin Hood Park, Keene, NH (3.5 smiles)

We went to Robin Hood Park in Keene, NH today and here is my review.....

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Parking:  The lot by the playground is pretty small, but I think there is plenty of parking around the park.

Bathrooms:  There is a bathroom right near the playground.  I did not see a changing table.

Structures:  There is one very large structure that has a lot of tunnels and neat things to climb on.  One side is for the smaller children and the other side is for the bigger children.  There is also a slide in the distance near the tennis courts.

Picnic Tables:  There are picnic tables under a pavilion right near the playground.

Overall:  I like this park.  I really like the large field that runs from the playground area to the tennis courts and the fact that the bathrooms and the picnic tables are close to the structure.

White Park, Concord, NH (5 smiles)

We went to White Park in Concord today, August 17, 2008 and here is my review....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  I saw a couple of port-a-potties.  I am not sure if you can use the bathrooms by the pool.

Structures:  This is the best part!  The structure, which is huge, is made of wood with really cool steps and doorways for children to explore.  It is very large with slides and little hide outs!  There are also swings for younger children and swings for older children.

Picnic Tables:  I saw a few picnic tables right in the playground area, but the park is huge and there are spots all around to stop and have lunch.

Overall:  As of today, this is my favorite all time park!  There is a lot of sun though so make sure you grab the sunscreen and a hat.  My son loved the structure.  I really liked it too.  Go check out this park you will not be disappointed!  

Adams Playground, Peterborough, NH (4 smiles)

We went to Adams Playground in Peterborough today, August 8, 2008 and here is my review....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  There are bathrooms by the pool.

Structures:  There are a lot of structures.  There are two for the younger children along with swings and bouncy things to sit on (horse, sheep, tractor) and there is a very large sandbox!  The older children will enjoy the huge structure geared for them.  It has all sorts of cool things to climb on.

Picnic Tables:  There are a few inside the fenced playground area and there are more under a pavilion for shade :)

Overall:  I like Adams Playground.  There is not a lot of shade, but they have great structures and the sandbox is awesome.  They have a concession stand that is open when the pool is open. The very nice girl working there told me the hours are 11:00am - 4:00pm Monday - Friday.   My son loves this park.  Go check it out.  Tell me what you think.

Odiorne State Park, Rye, NH (4.5 smiles)

We went to Odiorne State Park in Rye last Friday, August 1, 2008 and here is my review....

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Parking:  Plenty.  There is a fee to get into this park.

Bathrooms:  Right next to the playground!  So convenient.  I did not use this restroom though, so if anybody out there knows if there is a changing table, let me know!

Structures:  There are two structures.  One for younger children and one for older children.  There are swings and a few benches to sit on and take a break.

Picnic Tables:  There are a lot of picnic tables!  You can overlook the ocean and eat or you choose a table that is in the wooded area.

Overall:  I was impressed with this park.  There is so much to do for children of all ages.  The playground is nice and the oceanview is amazing.  There are rocks for the children to climb on and find sea creatures.  A bike trail winds around the park and there are plenty of open spaces to run and play.  This park is a true gem and it's worth the trip to the ocean!  The Seacoast Science Center is located inside Odiorne State Park. (additional fee)

Griffin Park, Windham, NH (4 smiles)

We went to Griffin Park in Windham today, August 3, 2008 and here is my review....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  There are a couple of port-o-potties. (Update:  I have been told that there are bathrooms near the pavilion - Thanks!)

Structures:  There are two structures.  One is for younger children and the other is for older children.  There are swings and a really neat four way teeter-totter for the little ones.  There are benches to sit and take a break within the fenced in playground area.

Picnic Tables:  There are picnic tables under a pavilion.

Overall:  This is a really nice park.  There is no shade though in the playground area.  The park itself is huge.  It has basketball courts, tennis courts, baseball fields, a really nice walking/strolling/jogging path, a huge skateboarding park and open areas to play in.  The coolest part for my son was that there is a path that leads to Johnson's Highland View Farm which has farm animals!  It also has a great farm stand and ice cream.

Barnard Park, Goffstown, NH (3.5 smiles)

We go to Barnard Park in Goffstown, NH often.  Here is my review.....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  There are a couple of port-o-potties.

Structures:  There are three structures for the kids to climb on.  They range in size with a small one for toddlers, intermediate one and a more advanced one for the older children.  There are also swings and a couple of other things to play on.

Picnic Tables:  There are picnic tables under a pavilion where it is shaded.

Overall:  This is a nice park.  It is pretty sunny during the middle of the day but morning is usually pretty shady.  There is a basketball court and a walking/running track.

Livingston Park, Manchester, NH (4 Smiles)

We went to Livingston Park in Manchester, NH today (July 29, 2008) and here is my review....

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Parking:  Plenty

Bathrooms:  We did not use one and I did not see one, but I was told by another Mother there that you can use the one at the pool (the pool is only for Manchester residents).

Structures:  There are two structures.  One is for older children and one is for younger children.  They are both very nice and very large.  There are also swings.

Picnic Tables:  Plenty of picnic tables in the shade!

Overall:  This park was suggested to me by one of my reader's!  Thank you!  We loved it. This is one of the very few parks that is shaded.  There is a really nice path that goes around Dorrs Pond where there are ducks and benches to take a break if you need to.  The path goes through the woods so you may need bug spray.  There are also bridges to walk over which was pretty cool for the kids.  The path is nice and wide.  If the path does not have much mud then a stroller would be able to be used on it as well.  They allow dogs on leashes.