This is part of a series photographing and reviewing playgrounds and parks in the Boston Metro Area; playgrounds and parks are an important part of the infrastructure that promotes healthy early childhood development; they should be celebrated and invested in to support young children and their families. (unfortunately, parks are currently closed due to COVID-19)

So far, we have looked at:

1. Perkins School For The Blind’s Playground

2. Pat and Gabriel Farren Playground (Watertown)

3. Transportation Children Center’s Playground (Boston)

4. Irving Park (Watertown)

5. Smith Playground in Allston

6. Watertown’s 552 Main St Playground

7. Mother’s Rest Playground along The Muddy River

8. Clifford Playground (Boston)

9. Dorothy Curran Playground at Joe Moakley Park (South Boston)

10. Martin Richard’s Part at The Smith Family Waterfront (Boston)

11. Filippello Playground (Watertown)

12: Artesani Playground (Brighton/Along Charles River)

13. Lowell Playground in Waltham

14: Bemis Playground (Watertown)

Our next post is about Belmont’s Beaverbrook Reservation Playground and Spray Park. The playground was renovated in 2018. “The renovation project replaced all the structures in the playground with items that pay homage to the park’s history, such as a large tree structure symbolizing an oak tree. The spray deck was also replaced with a soft, resilient surface and multiple zones with different activation features and sequences. All the rest rooms and water bubblers have also been improved to be ADA compliant. The parking area was also repaved and the tennis courts were resurfaced and repainted.”

The oak tree part of the structure is one of the more unique structures I have seen in play spaces. I wish more playgrounds tried to have unique features that some way paid homage to the surrounding environment. The splash park also incorporates a lot of natural materials namely dozens of large boulders. What makes the playground a great destination for a day long excursion is that in addition to the playground and splash park, you are also next to the “Beaver Brook Reservation is 59 acres of open fields and woodlands. The ponds and waterfall make the park's north section a delightful place for a walk or picnic.” In addition, there are public bathrooms and drinking fountain to make a long stay more manageable. .

Below are pictures of the playground, spray park, and the surrounding reservation: