owasso hills park

Tucked away in a corner of Roseville is a little park that packs a lot of fun. After this directionally-challenged mama finally (thank Madeline for the emphasis) found the entrance to the park, we took a go at what Owasso Hills Park (593 Owasso Hills Drive) had to offer.


Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Off-street
Age range (playground): 2+
Sidewalks: Paved to and around the play area; connects to Roseville area trail
Seating: A few benches
Bathrooms: None (maybe a portable one come summer?)
Picnic tables: None
Grills: None
Sports field: A half court near the play area


This pebble-laid park has four play areas: a playground, a rock play area, a swing set, and another gross motor skills section (not completely sure what to call it yet; we also ran into one at Edgerton Park).

Kids can scale the playground via stairs or climbing obstacles. If your little ones are well-versed in stair-climbing at the least, they'll be fine navigating the playground on their own (Zoey didn't need my help this time around).


There are a variety of ladders and slides to try out. If your kiddos really love climbing, there's a towering net that'll keep 'em entertained for a while.

On the "main level" of the playground, there are tunnels to crawl through and stairs thrown in here and there to add to the challenge of traversing the playground, especially for young tots.


The rock play area is the biggest we've run into yet: It's got a ship-like feel to it with a "plank" on one side and a slide on another. There's also a "deck" where my kiddos cooked up dino delicacies (I had the choice of gorgosaurus or parasaurolophus meat). They enjoyed stuffing pebbles, sticks, and pinecones down the chutes to see where the items ended up.

Near the rock play area is a mini climbing net and a spring rider.

To one side of the rock play area is a small swing set with a high back swing, baby swing, and two regular swings. It sits in the shade of some tall pines.


The last play area has some spinners on which kiddos can stand or sit. Both my older kids got a kick out of these. While they didn't play on the other equipment in this area, it looks like it involves climbing.

Some final perks of Owasso Hills are the tall and short water fountains right by the entrance of the park; the roadside fencing; and a beautiful pagoda with benches underneath.


Finding the park itself was the biggest challenge, along with determining where the entrance was (there was no sign from what I could see, just a residential sidewalk running past the park). We drove around a few times before I decided on an appropriate place to park during our visit.

raptor playground

One of my goals as a parent is to instill sense of curiosity in my little humans. So when I asked them if they wanted to revisit one of the parks we've been to or find a new one, I was over the moon when they screamed: Visit a new one!!!

I think I'm making progress on that goal.


Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Off-street by play area, lot by basketball court
Age range (playground): 1+
Sidewalks: Paved to and around the play area and through the park
Seating: Just one bench by play area
Bathrooms: None (maybe a portable one come summer?)
Picnic tables: None by play area
Grills: None by play area
Sports field: Basketball court and open field on one side of the park; tennis courts by play area


We arrived at a park about two blocks away from this one only to find out it was still closed from the winter season. A bit heart broken, we pulled up trusty ol' Google Maps and saw this one was just down the street.

On our way over, we thought of names we might give this park. Before we even arrived, the kids settled on "Raptor Park" (aka Four Seasons Park, 1685 Gervais Avenue, Maplewood). Lo and behold, there's a dino spring rider that looks like a velociraptor!

You know you're a mom when you get as excited as your kids do--about a playground.


The playground is a short walk from where we parked on the street. Right next to it are two tennis courts. Past the playground is a swing set with two baby swings and several regular swings. To one side of the playground is a jungle gym (when was the last time I saw one of those?!). All three play areas are mulch-laid.


While this playground is an older model, it's split into two sections to accommodate kids of all ages and abilities. Zoey had a blast on the little kid playground. I loved that its tunnels and bridges connected in a circle. I literally just stood there and watched her go round and round, up and down and all over again.


The older two enjoyed the big kid playground. They scaled its "mountain" repeatedly and faced a few challenges learning to climb its tunnel slide and ladders. They also got a kick out of the dino and "shark" (I'm pretty sure it was a plane) themed spring riders.

About half an hour into our visit, the kids abandoned the play areas to run down the hill and play with  fallen branches. I kid you not: They played with sticks for nearly twenty minutes before running back up the hill to play on the playgrounds again.


The playground is rectangular, with the play area and tennis courts on one side and the basketball, skating rink, and lot parking on the other side. There's about a quarter mile of grass in between.

It has trails leading through the park to neighboring blocks. It's also surrounded by houses on two sides. In our time there, there was a good deal of traffic.


My biggest qualm with Raptor Park was the challenge of finding the playground. We didn't know where it was located and ended up at the wrong entrance on our first try. The playground entrance is located on Demont Avenue North.

Also, the playground could use some TLC (rusting and cracking parts on which my kiddos got caught a few times). Make sure to keep an eye out for bare legs, arms, and fingers that might get scratches as a result of the broken pieces.

pioneer park

Our "quick" pit-stop the other day turned into over an hour of play. What can I say? It's easy to lose track of time when you're having fun.

Once upon a time I tried taking small roads home (hint hint: they're called small roads for a reason!). I ended up taking an incredibly creative route home.

The only good thing that came out of that time-consuming excursion? I ran into Pioneer Park (1966 Chatsworth Street North, Roseville). This week we found our way back to this neat little park tucked away from busy city life.


Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Off-street
Age range (playground): 2+
Sidewalks: Well-paved to and around the playground, as well as through the park (my guess is that it joins the Roseville trail)
Seating: Several benches around the play area
Bathrooms: None (maybe a portable one come summer?)
Picnic tables: A couple by the playground
Grills: NA
Sports field: Open field behind play area; half a basketball court


The park sits close to Rosedale and HarMar malls. It's located in a surprisingly quiet neighborhood, which offers a much-needed break from city life rush.

There are probably only two good parking spots: one on either side of the sidewalk leading to the park. Anywhere else and you'll end up walking all the way around the metal fencing on the street-side of the park (and it's pretty long).


As inconvenient as this is, it definitely helps keep kiddos corralled and away from passing cars.

The play area is split into three sections: a swing set, playground, and a rock play area. All sections are laid with pebbles. Zoey was able to traverse the playground on her own, but needed my constant supervision and help from time to time.


The first play structure we ran into is the swing set, complete with a high-back swing, a baby swing, and two regular swings. The playground is next. It's in good condition, complete with several slides, a tunnel, and a variety of climbing ladders, to name just a few of its features.

The rock play area is tucked into a corner of the park, next to the playground. Here kids can fill containers with pebbles, hoist them up a pulley system, dump them out and repeat repeat repeat.


To one side of the park is a beautiful rock wall. My kiddos loved scaling it. I imagine it's beautiful when vegetation begins to bloom. To top off park aesthetics, there's also a quaint pagoda on one side of the playground, complete with benches.

Admittedly, there's not much unique about Pioneer Park. We enjoyed our visit nonetheless and were glad we stopped for some fresh air.

casey lake park

How often can you say you like a bathroom? How often can you say you like a park bathroom?

If your experience has been anything like mine, park bathrooms are nasty. Sometimes they're portable bathrooms with no more toilet paper--or, worse, no more sanitizer.

Sometimes they're actual flushing toilets in buildings--complete with unpleasant smells, lighting, and . . . leftovers (let's not go into details).

I'm not one to hand out compliments on cleanliness (Mrs. Clean over here), but you guys--

This park has beautiful bathrooms.


We're talking well-lit, odor-free, toddler-friendly bathrooms (as in a built-in stool at the sink and booster seat for kiddo to wait in when it's mama's turn to go). If there's a gallery for amazing bathrooms, this place needs to make the list!

Aside from the impressive bathrooms at Casey Lake Park (2101 17th Avenue East, North St Paul), here's what you need to know:
Parking: Lot
Age range (playground): 1+
Sidewalks: Paved to the playground and other park amenities
Seating: Ample supply of benches surrounding playground
Bathrooms: On the side of the main building
Picnic tables: A couple scattered by play area, including toddler-sized tables; more in the pavilion
Grills: A couple in by the play area; more in the pavilion
Sports field: Shaded grassy area by play area and a baseball field to one side


The city of North Saint Paul dubs Casey Lake as the "crowning jewel" of their parks system. This isn't an understatement! We've visited parks throughout and beyond the Twin Cities and this one is definitely in the top three.

The playground, main building (with inside meeting space), picnic pavilion, and baseball field are all right off of the parking lot. The lake is a short walk down a hill. There's a dock off of one side. The park is well-paved to each amenity it offers.

Surrounding the play ground is plenty of seating, including two benches perched underneath a charming pagoda.


The play area is laid with mulch and suited for kids of all ages. There's a section for little kids, complete with baby swings (that also features a high-back swing); and a section for older kids, complete with regular swings and one of those hammock swings (I still don't know what this is really called).

Something I appreciate about this playground is the aesthetics: It's made of plastic made to mimic wood. The overall appeal of the play area is a fun treehouse paradise. Synthetic wood also means lesser chances of splinters or burns.

My kids' had two favorite parts of the playground: the climbing mushrooms and the crawl spaces underneath the playground for older kids.


They also enjoyed the variety of slides, spring riders, and climbing obstacles (which ranged from easy to challenging to, at this point, impossible without help).

We went for a couple hours in the morning. It got a lot of traffic during our time there. This was a pleasant surprise for us, as we also got to socialize as a bonus.

Although we had no use for them on our visit, I like how there's an ample supply of picnic tables, including a couple just for toddlers. Casey Lake Park was impressive to the point that I've noted it as a potential spot for future birthday parties.

Who wants to go with us on our next visit?!

pirate playground

Ever drive by something your kids think is so incredibly cool that they give it their own name and beg you (several times each week) to go back and check it out? That was us Easter weekend with this park.

After waiting a couple weeks for most of the snow to melt (still jumped the gun; all of the snow needs to be long gone before we head back!) and the weather to warm up, we finally headed back to what they've dubbed the "Pirate Playground" (otherwise known as Maplecrest Park at 2101 Arcade Street, Maplewood).


Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Off-street
Age range (playground): 1+
Sidewalks: One circling the playground and leading to the swing set
Seating: A few scattered around the play area
Bathrooms: None
Picnic tables: None
Grills: None
Sports field: A roomy open field and two tennis courts

If your kids are anything like mine, they're drawn to all things pirate-y. A playground ship sitting in a huge sandbox? Pirate-lover heaven! I don't know if my kids loved the ship or sand more.

The playground is a short, unpaved walk from the street (there's a sidewalk entrance, but it's tucked away in one of the corners of the playground). Right next to the playground is a swing set with two baby and two regular swings (also set in sand).


Although most of the equipment is well-worn, most of it is clean and safe for kids to use with or without adult supervision.

To the side of the playground is the open field and behind swing set are the tennis courts. There's also a square stretch of broken pavement between the open field and tennis courts.

While leaves have yet to bloom, it looks like the area surrounding the playground will be well-shaded come summer.


The playground itself has a sturdy climbing net and ladder for kids to traverse to get to the top of the ship. Up top is the entrance to one slide, along with a steering wheel and plenty of space for the ship's crew to play.

Below deck is a bench that runs along the parameter of the ship. In the center is another steering wheel and a partial wall for creative play (see picture).

To one side of the playground is a structure for sand play. You can dig, hoist up, and dump out sand.


The biggest downfall of the Pirate Playground is that it's sand-laid: Because snow has just melted or was still melting, the playground was swamped with puddles. Plan to visit during a dry streak so that you're not playing on a ship that's sitting in actual water.

edgerton park

When Minnesota gives you sunshine--you better darn well take advantage of it! I think we've had three false starts to spring in the last two months. We are so ready for real spring.

While the sun was out, so were we (no wasting beautiful weather cooped up indoors!). One of the parks we checked out this week was Edgerton Park (2001 Edgerton Street North, Maplewood). If you're a parent whose kids have boundless energy to burn (whose doesn't?!), this park will get 'em ready to go to bed without a fuss (zero fuss!).


Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Lot (shared with the bordering middle school)
Age range (playground): 3+
Sidewalks: One from the parking lot to the playground. Another from the school that goes by the playground all the way to the end of the school property (a couple baseball fields down).
Seating: One bench by the playground
Bathrooms: None
Picnic tables: None
Grills: None
Sports field: An open field, a basketball court (on the school's property), and several baseball fields


If there's one word to describe Edgerton Park, it's "big." This playground has a surplus of slides, ladders, bridges, monkey bars, and tunnels, making it perfect for kids who are comfortable climbing and maneuvering such obstacles. The remarkable range of obstacles available kept my kids entertained well into an hour of play.

Edgerton is laid with pebbles and has three sections: a playground, a swing set (far past the playground and only regular swings, unfortunately), and another section whose purpose I couldn't identify (pictured).


It's built alongside Edgerton Middle School and is tailored for kids that age and size. Nevertheless, my 4-year-old had a blast (most of the times I didn't know where she was!).

My 3-year-old needed help from time to time (there's a smaller section that was easy for him to navigate but the rest of the playground, which he also wanted to try out, was more challenging for him height-wise) and my 15-month-old needed a lot of help.


At the end of our play time, my kids said they had a blast. We were there for nearly an hour and even by then they were reluctant to "leave already."

Because Edgerton Park is used regularly by students at Edgerton Middle School, its equipment is well-worn. One slide had a huge crack in it, rendering it useless. Several of the steps were also cracked and rusted. Be sure to keep an eye out for safety hazards when visiting.

Furthermore, since Edgerton Park is used by the school on a regular basis, either plan to accommodate students outside for recess or avoid school hours altogether (we went on a weekend).

playcrest park

Last weekend we had a freakishly wintery blizzard. This weekend it's nearly 50° each day. What did we do to celebrate? We hit up a new park . . . or two . . . or three!

Call it overkill; we could care less. My little humans and I were made for outdoor spaces. We've been having so much fun the only indicator of our need to slow down were huge baggies under our eyes at bath time. I'm talking my-kids-look-like-they-got-two-black-eyes kind of baggies.

I'll write about each park we've gone to this week in a different post so I can cover them in detail and do each some justice. First up: Playcrest Park (2390 Lydia Avenue East, St. Paul).


Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Roomy off-street parking by the playground and lot parking by the basketball court (which are, unfortunately, on the complete opposite side of the park from where the playground is)
Age range (playground): 1+
Sidewalks: One parallel to the road with a fork that leads up to the playground
Seating: A couple of benches and a bench swing
Bathrooms: Portable (but not located near the playground)
Picnic tables: Yes (1)
Grills: Yes (1)
Sports field: One open field, a baseball field, a basketball court

We frequent Playcrest in the summer both because it's close to a friend's house (and Maplewood Mall!) and because there are so many things I love about it.


The playground is laid with mulch. All of the equipment is still in excellent condition. There's a playground for kiddos 1-3 and another for kiddos 3+. Most of the time, each of my kids can have fun independent of my help.

There's a swing set with two baby swings and two regular swings. The regular swings are low-set so my four-year-old can get on by herself. By the swing set are standing and sitting spinners. Behind the spinners are a grill single picnic table (no shade).

The little-kid playground has two mini slides, a tunnel, and plenty of challenges to climb over, on, and through. Close to this playground are two spring riders (a bee and a ladybug) that can fit up to two kiddos each at a time (big bonus for us!).


The big-kid playground has several slides that vary in construction. One has a steep drop, another spirals, and a third is short and sweet. Kids can get to the top level of the playground via stairs, a curved ladder, climbing wall, or climbing net.

Another reason I love this park is the standalone bench swing that sits on the side of the park. Think of it as a porch swing with a foot rest. It's perfect parents, especially pregnant ones!

While we haven't made much use of the sports fields or courts also featured at this park, they are often in use by others when we visit. Playcrest is definitely a magnet for locals in need of a break from city views.


My only complaint about Playcrest is that it sits atop a hill. This makes it a chore for both me and my kiddos to get to the playground when we park off-street next to it. There's also no shade near the playground, so if you plan on visiting, go in the mornings or evenings.

If you ever need to convince your kids to go to Maplewood Mall with you, promise them a trip to this amazing park afterwards. It might just be the incentive you need.

arlington hills community center

A couple years ago, the city of St. Paul started a new building construction on the corner of an extremely busy intersection. When I found out it was going to be a community center, I was ecstatic (my husband got to listen to my spiel on how efficacious this resource was going to be for the surrounding neighborhoods).

While I've been eager to visit the Arlington Hills Community Center (AHCC; 1200 Payne Ave, St Paul) since the bricks were first laid, I finally had the chance to stop by today with my kids.

Here's what you need to know:
Parking: Lot with chargers for battery-run cars
Age range (playground): 1+
Sidewalks: Well and amply paved to both the community center and playground
Seating: A couple of benches
Bathrooms: Inside community center
Picnic tables: Yes (3)
Grills: None
Sports field: One soccer field


We opted to visit the playground first, so we parked in the section further from the main entrance to AHCC. Although there was plenty of room to park today, expect competitive parking during non- and after-school hours.

The playground is about a one minute walk from the parking lot. We passed all three picnic tables on our way there (non-shaded, unfortunately).

The playground is well-used and very simple in its construction. At the same time, we easily spent a good 45 minutes out here and my kids asked to go back after we had gone inside to check out the library.


Perhaps my favorite part of the play area is its synthetic flooring: nothing gets stuck inside shoes or threatens splinters. I don't have to worry about it overheating on hot summer days or causing major scabs should one of my kids fall.

The playground is split into two areas. The first has a slide, some plastic log tunnels, a little climbing rock, and two baby swings. This area was perfect for my 15-month-old. She could climb up and down the slide and stairs without my help. Off to the side of this area is also a sliver of a sand box.


The second area was perfect for my 3- and 4-year-olds. It has a huge climbing net, a small climbing wall, a twirly pole (sorry; I still don't know what this is called!), and either stairs or climbing steps to get up to the slide.

Off to the side of the big kid area is what we called a "lazy swing." Think of it as a plastic hammock. All three kiddos were able to lay on it and ride together.


We headed inside to check out the library section of the community center (it also has a gym, community rooms, fitness center, and a tech room for teens, from what we saw). It's tiny in comparison to other libraries we have been to, but I was incredibly impressed with the children's section (which is smartly tucked into a corner, away from all other distractions!).

AHCC gets an A for its variety of toys, which consisted of a bakery, doll house, kitchenette, and magnet board with letters. For the size of the library, the quality of the kids' section is incredible.

While I don't plan on visiting very often due to how busy AHCC gets, I strongly recommend it for anyone who lives nearby. It was definitely a wise and worthwhile investment on the city's part.