Conference moira::parenting

    At the north end of Plum Island (off of Newbury, but in the Newburyport
    part of the island) there is a parking lot on the beach with adjacent
    playground.  It looks like there is a fee to park, but I've only
    stopped by once in the evening so I don't know.
    
    This is not in the state park; rather, the private part of the island. 
    When you drive onto the island, go straight till the road curves left. 
    Follow the road left then all the way to the north end of the island.
    
    Beryl

    Dawn,
    
    Are you living in Ma.   There is a lovely man-made seaside resort in
    Castleisland, just a few miles outside Boston.   It has everything,
    play-areas, good walks, good view of Logan Airport and incoming
    flights, a small beach area, plus two fast food take-aways.   I
    found the take-away nearer the top of Castleisland by far the
    cheapest.
    
    
    Bernie
    

    Dane Street Beach in Beverly?  There's playground equipment, trees to
    sit under, large grassy spaces, and a beach (unremarkable; no heavy surf,
    but bring your "rock-walkers", as the wading area has lots of rocks and
    shells).  Free parking on Dane St.
    
    Leslie

    Also, Independence Park in Beverly, same general setup as Dane Street.
    
    .0, I live on the North Shore, too --- where are you located?

    What about Harold Parker State Forest (aka State Park) in Andover?
    
    OK it's not SALT water, but still swimable water, picnic area, play
    area, well kept grounds.  I haven't been there in a ton of years, but
    they used to allow you to cook out in these pit things provided, I
    think there may even be overnight camping provisions for tents and
    campers.  I can't remember clearly, but I think there may even be
    changing and showering facilities.
    
    Call the State Parks Department, they will send you a list of places,
    both inland and sea coast.
    
    Lyn

    Hey Lyn, sounds good, but it ain't the North Shore!
    
    Leslie-whose-Wonder-Bread-Years-were-spent-in-Manchester-by-the-Sea

    Well that all depends on what you consider "North Shore".  It's
    definitely NORTH, but just happens to have it's "shores" in the form of
    a lake!  I equate Andover, Danvers and that vicinity as north.
    
    For that matter what about the Salem (MA) area?  didn't they do a
    downtown revitalization not too long ago?  I thought part of it was to
    make family recreation areas, and that is on the ocean isn't it? Not to
    mention all the "tourist spots".
    
    Lyn

    I've moved my North Shore rathole to 12DOT2::MASSACHUSETTS, note 1571.
    
    Leslie

I took my 2yr4month old boy to the corner playground last night.  They
have a gym/slide setup, which he loves.  The problem I always seem to
have is keeping the older kids from knocking into him.  The older kids
(it's hard for me to tell ages, probably age 8-11) also play here,
and they tend to play rough.  

They typically push and shove each other, swing on the top bar of the slide,
jump off the side of the slide, etc.  This concerns me because they
can easily knock into my son.  One push and he could easily be pushed
down which could mean quite a fall.  Also, he sees the older ones
doing thing they shouldn't do, like doing flips on the top bar of
the slide, and I'm afraid he try to do the same thing.

I stay with him, or as close as I can, as he plays, but as he gets to the
slide, he is out of my reach.  He is safe unless another child causes
him to fall, thus I worry.

I have a hard time not yelling or speaking strongly to the other kids.
I usually try to ask them to be careful when the little ones are around,
but when it continues I usually get angry and say something harsher.

Do other parents of toddlers have this problem?  How do you handle it?
I guess the ideal situation would be to have a separate play area
for younger/older kids, but I don't see this happening at our park.

I hate to avoid the park, because my little boy loves to play there,
but I'm finding it more and more stessful.

Also, I've never seen a parent of one of the older kids ever reprimand this
(if they are present) for this type of behavior.  Usually the parents
are not present.

Thanks,
Ginny (who doesn't want to become the witch lady at the park)

One of the parks I bring Patrick to is like yours, lots of older kids
running wild bowling over the little ones on occasion. I simply stick
close to my son. Wherever he goes, I go. The older kids think twice about
running through me.

Chris

I've had the same problem, too, Ginny.  I usually stick by my son and when
he is out of reach (like on the slide) where I can't be close enough to
guard him well then I have been known to (verbally) hold the older boys back on
the steps until my baby is out of danger (already part way down the slide). 

Like you, I will also say something to them if they run and horse around
too close to him.

     Carol

I've encountered this at the playground, too.  They have an elaborate setup 
with three different slides with connecting sections, assorted ladders and
stairs, and so on.  One time when we were there, there were about 5 11-year-olds
hanging around and rough-housing on the spiral slide.  Jeff tried going down the
slide, and the other boys wouldn't even get out of his way.  So I made Jeff
stay away from that side of the setup until the older kids got tired and 
moved to a new section.  Then Jeff went back and could actually *slide* down
that slide in one continuous motion, instead of running into other kids.

If it's any consolation, the older kids get bored faster than the little ones
do...

    I am looking for a local playground for my nanny to take my 2 year-old 
    daughters.  The area I am looking for is in the Manchester/Nashua area.  
    
    The playground should be big enough for the girls to have fun but not
    so big that one girl can duck around a corner and get lost.
    
    Desired equipment is a slide, infant swing, sandbox.
    
    

    
    	One of the all time greatest playgrounds (we - the adults_ even
    have fun there) is Kid's Kove in Merrimack. It's on Daniel Webster,
    rihht across the street from Wire road. It's not obvious when the
    leaves are out, I think that you turn into the boys club? parking lot?
    (I'll check).
    
    	In any event, it's similar to an outdoor Discovery zone, lots of
    tunnels, slides and things for the kids to climb on and get tired ;-)
    Also it's near enough to the water that you can go for nice walks (just
    be careful whenyour little one thinks the river is a large puddle and
    wants to step in it YIKES!)
    
    			Wendy

    I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations about playgrounds in
    the greater Framingham, Massachusetts area.  Thanks!
    
    Regards,
    Lisa

There's a great wooden castle-type playground on Route 27, around Wayland or
Sudbury.  We often stop there when going to/from Framingham.

       Carol

    
    It's actually in Cochituate.  Right at the intersection of Rtes 27 and
    30.  If the car dealership is still there, it's right next to them.
    
    -Patty

We've just recently moved to Westboro, MA. I'd like recommendations for 
playgrounds and other activities (for 3 and 5 yrs olds) in the Westboro area 
(and directions too from Rt 9/Rt 30). Would  also consider surrounding towns 
(Northboro/Shrewsbury) as my Mom is watching the kids this month and likes to 
keep the kids outside and active: Our current area is still under construction, 
so we're better off in the short term bringing the kids somewhere.

    There is a playground at the McDonald's on between RT 9 and 30.  You
    do even have to go in the restraurant, just park and let the kids play.
    
    There is also a small playground/park on RT135, near the center of
    Northboro.
    
    All the other playground that I've taken my kids to are at the schools
    and they are still in session so I don't think that will help you.
    
    For indoors there is a Discovery Zone is Shrewsbury (RT9, just past
    Spags) that you can get a pass (can't remember how much) for that allows 
    you unlimited access on weekdays.
    
    You could also try calling the Westboro Recreation Office @366-3066. 
    They have GREAT summer programs for the kids.  For age 3 they have:
    Playground, Swimming Lessons, and Kids Crafts. For age 5:Playground,
    Swimming Lessons, Kids in Motion(gymnastics), Creative Crafts, Hiking 
    Club, It's a Kick (soccer) and Karate. 
    
    Good Luck,
    Roberta
    
    Roberta

    Shrewsbury also has a Gymboree on Route 9.
    
    There are 2 parks off of Shrewsbury Center that are supposed to be
    really good.
    
    Grafton (where I live) has a Superpark that is excellent (supposed to
    be for residents, so the sign says) and it's right next to the Town
    Hall and the Police Station.  We also have another park on North Street
    right off of the center of town, and then Nelson Park which is off of
    Route 140.
    
    Don't forget the library in Westboro which has a kids room.

    Oh, I forgot about the Northboro Recreation Park on Rt 135, not far
    from RT9 or Bradlees.  It's a pretty good size and has tons or room for
    the kids to run free.
    
    Roberta

    Re: .20 - Where is the Gymboree in Shrewsbury???
    
    nancy

    
    re: .22  re: .20
    
    I think the Gymboree on Route 9 is actually is Westboro -
    directly across the street from the (relatively) new
    Walmart (which may actually be in Northboro!).   How's
    that for confusing?
    
    cj/    

    re: .23, re: .22, re: .20
    
    You're correct, my apologies, that is Westboro and it is right across
    from Wal-Mart and the Fountainhead Apartments.