Tag: playground

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Parks Reviews

Papanooga Park Roundup: Gilbert-Stephenson Park

Address: 19 Van Cleve St, Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742

While this park isn’t actually in Chattanooga or even Tennessee for that matter, it is just across the state line in Georgia. The Gilbert-Stephenson park has attracted families and people of all for years with the tennis courts, sand volleyball court, swimming pool, walking track, and the former playground. In 2020, the playground got a face lift and it has been the centerpiece of the community since its grand re-opening in June 2020. 

The play structure is inclusive, meaning most parts of the playground as accessible for people of all abilities. The playground meets all seven principles of inclusive playground design: fair, included, smart, independent, safe, active, and comfortable. It includes climbing, sliding, imaginative play, manipulative items, cooperative play, gathering and social spots, jump in and out elements, and looping patterns. Some specific features include:

  • Lots of field space
  • Tennis courts
  • Sand volleyball court
  • Access to the 7.5-mile long out-and-back trail, the Fort Oglethorpe Greenway
  • Covered patios
  • Public bathrooms
  • Public pool ($5)
  • 4 person see-saw
  • Multiple slides (metal and plastic)
  • Multiple swing sections
  • Circular “tire” swing
  • Rocking boat
  • Age 2-5 section
  • Musical items, such as metallophone, touch piano, and drums
  • Calisthenic workout area
  • Large play structure with a bridge

I have taken all of my children to play here, including my 14-month old, 4- and 5-year old. They all were able to find ways to play and explore according to their own interests and developmental ability. I think that this playground is really a “diamond in the rough” to the community in Chattanooga. We are so used to the Blue Cross Healthy Place in Highland Park, the Pumpkin Park, and the Imagination Station that this great park in Fort Oglethorpe goes undiscovered from many in Tennessee. It is certainly one that Chattanooga locals should try out if you are looking for a new place to play and explore!

Rating: 5/5

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Parks Reviews

Papanooga Park Roundup: Pioneer Frontier Playground

Address: 1509 Tombras Ave, Chattanooga, TN 37412

On April 6th, 2021 the city of East Ridge began the demolition on the well loved wooden Pioneer Frontier Park with plans to build a new playground and splash pad with a $1,000,000 budget. The original wooden castle park was built in 1994 and served the city for 27 years. The new Playcore playground was under construction for a year and was completed on April 2nd, 2022. 

I’ve gone on before in my Scramble Alley and *New* St. Elmo Park about how much I love wooden castle parks because of the imaginary worlds that are easily created and explored. I feel the same about the original Pioneer Frontier Park, but that isn’t the focus of this review. The new park has some pretty awesome features, including:

  • Multiple swings
  • Monkey bars
  • One of those circular “tire” swings
  • A kids aged 2-5 section with monkey bars, swings, and a small play structure
  • A roller bar slide
  • A bridge section above the main play structure entrance
  • Tower with two tall, windy slides
  • A contemporary designed rope bridge
  • A merry go round with rope seats
  • A calisthenic workout area
  • A splash pad to be opened in summer (will update when opened)

There are some parts of the play structure that resemble the plastic play structure at the Imagination Station in Collegedale. My kids greatly anticipated the grand opening of this playground and have enjoyed playing here when we have come. If you have a scooter, skateboard, or bike that needs some roll time, there is a small track around the playground. 

Rating: 4.5/5

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Parks Reviews

*New* St. Elmo Park Open

One day last summer when my wife and I went on a walk with our son and daughter down the Virginia Avenue Greenway from the Sawasee Thai Restaurant to the St. Elmo Park to play. To our dismay, there wasn’t a playground anymore. The playground was taken down due to safety concerns and the new playground is now completed. 

Here are some of the features that your little monkey might enjoy:

  1. Curved climbing wall
  2. Monkey bars
  3. Obstacle course
  4. Swing area
  5. Fitness center
  6. Age 2-5 play zone
  7. Green space on the grave of the old St. Elmo Park

While it is exciting that there is now a play space in the St. Elmo neighborhood again, I miss the old wooden park. It matched the whole vibe of St. Elmo. It had that long metal slide. It had a giant tire half submerged in the ground. It was a freaking tree house for goodness sake. This new park is just a smaller, less interesting version of the Blue Cross Healthy Place at Highland Park.

I understand there may be laws and regulations about the construction of wooden playgrounds these days. It may come down to environmental impact or cost, but I just don’t see old school wooden playgrounds made anymore. Which is a bummer because my most vivid childhood playground memories (aside from that one time I pooped my pants on the slide in preschool) are on wooden castle playgrounds. I remember pretending to be a jedi or a ninja, running, hiding, stick-sword fighting, jumping, and all the wonderful things that children do. These are the experiences our children deserve and I’ve found my own kids are more likely to imagine and play more openly on wooden playgrounds, for whatever reason.

I’m glad that the former entryway was kept. It helps someone like myself who fondly remembers what it used to be.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars