Woodland Playground, at Sands Point Preserve

Description

Checklist

Surface of lot:  cobblestone, grass, or hard-packed dirt
Distance to venue:  depends on where one has to park
Transportation to venue offered:  no
Terrain:  uneven in some places
Places to rest:  some benches near parking area, picnic tables near playground
Paths and walkways:  concrete, blacktop, grass
Doors:  gate must be unlocked to enter and exit
Number of floors:  na
Ramps:  none in building
Steps and staircases:  none
Places to sit:  benches throughout playground
Location of restrooms:  in Visitors' Center in Castle Gould
Type of restroom:  multi-stall, with one handicapped-accessible stall and baby-changing station
Ease of entry and exit:  ok
Baby changing station:  yes
Available food services:  limited drinks and snacks in visitor center
Friendliness of staff:  volunteer in visitor center was very pleasant

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On tends to think of Sands Point Preserve as being for adults. Although tours of Falaise and Hempstead house certainly are, the walk down to the water, some of the hiking trails and the dog park are suitable for entire families.

This year, a new addition has made the Preserve an absolutely great place for kids. The fully fenced, Woodland Playground can be your reason to visit. It is so well locked that we had difficulty figure it out and had to ask for help.  It really isn’t difficult if you know what to do.

Parking is in the central parking area, with cobblestones,s hard packed dirt, or grass, depending on where you have to park. There are no dedicated, handicapped spaces. If walking from here presents a problem, it would propably be best to drop your  passenger(s) off near the Playground, where he/she can find a seat while you park. Note that there is a charge for parking at the Preserve. It might be well worth it, especially if you have several families.

“Located in the woods next to the Dejana Learning Center, it features state-of-the art equipment, including a custom-designed cedar castle with towers, turrets, tunnels, a spiral slide and climbing walls.   Tucked between the majestic trees of this shady park are a speedy 75′ zip-line, swing set (with adaptive swings), four-seat rocker, spinners, tether ball and a huge geodesic dome climber.  Children of all ages and different abilties can enjoy creative physical play in a range of modalities to develop coordination, balance and strength” (website) Wood chips are underfoot and benches are around for those needed a place to rest.   What a fun place for kids!

Placing several picnic tables just outside the playground is a great idea, for lunch or just a snack.

The only possible downside is that one has to walk to the Visitors’ Center if a restroom is required. The multi-stall restrooms each have a handicapped-stall and baby-changing station. A small snack area with some drinks an several packaged items can also be found in the Center.

We loved the happy expressions on the faces of the kids we saw playing here. They seemed to be especially thrilled with the zip-line. This is yet another place I can’t wait to take my granddaughter when she visits.

As always, we at Destination:Accessible, advise you to visit a venue’s website, www.sandspointpreserveconservancy.org, when planning a visit, to “know before you go.”

Location

Nearby