Playgrounds In Pictures: Clifford Playground

Recently we have done a series examining playgrounds and parks in the Boston Metro Area since playgrounds are an important part of the infrastructure that promotes healthy early childhood development. So far we have looked at:

1. Perkins School For The Blind’s Playground

2. Pat and Gabriel Farren Playground

3. Transportation Children Center’s Playground

4. Irving Park

5. Smith Playground in Allston

6. Watertown’s 552 Main St Playground

7. Mother’s Rest Playground along The Muddy River

8. Clifford Playground

This post will look at Dorothy Curran Playground at Joe Moakley Park. This playground was dedicated to Dorothy Curran in 1990 by then Mayor Ray Flynn. A plaque at the playground (see in pictures below) honors Dorothy Curran’s 40 year career at the Parks and Recreation Department where she was an advocate for creating play spaces for children of all backgrounds and abilities. The playground sits next to Joe Moakley Park and is near the Boston Harbor. Being along the water no doubt inspired the nautical theme of the playground. There are two play structures one for preschool aged children and one geared more to the elementary school set. Both structures are look like ships and feature ramps to make them more accessible and have a wide variety of climbing features including rope climbers and monkey bars. There are also swing sets, a water spray area, and an area to run around and climb in a little boat and run around buoys. Overall, the two major play structures look very well maintained but the area with the bouys and boat looks like they could use a slight touch up. I love that the edge of the playground features a rain garden and a sign explaining the purpose of the rain garden for the environment. The surface is a spongey blue surface which looks feels fun to kind of bounce on and would no doubt cushion a fall and help prevent serious injuries. Below are 15 pictures of the playground to check it out for yourself.