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.