Houston Playground
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Houston Playground is a sprawling outdoor facility that offers extensive sports opportunities and access to beautiful nature trails, making it a great value for active families. However, parents should be aware that the playground equipment itself is often described as old, run-down, and potentially unstimulating or too hot for play, suggesting its primary appeal lies beyond the main play structures.
Key Highlights
- ✓Community center offers after-school youth boxing program with volunteers, suggesting organized activities for kids.
- ✓Features two distinct play areas: one specifically for toddlers (2-5 y/o) and another for elementary school-aged children, each with swings and climbing structures.
- ✓Boasts an impressive array of sports facilities including 2 hockey courts, basketball courts, 2 tennis courts (with functional nets), multiple baseball fields, a football field, and potential nets for soccer/lacrosse.
- ✓Offers access to a mile-long Houston Meadow trail that leads directly to Philadelphia Courtesy Stables, where horses are frequently seen grazing in an enclosed area.
- ✓The Houston Meadow Trail connects to Forbidden Drive and associated wilderness trails, providing extensive options for nature exploration.
- ✓A large, open field adjacent to the playground provides ample space for children to run around freely.
- ✓The toddler playground benefits from natural shade, offering some relief from the sun.
- ✓Mentions 'springs of water coming up from the ground' and a 'spray pad' which 'seems so fun!', indicating potential water play opportunities.
- ✓Functional restrooms are available, despite odor issues.
Standout Features
- ⭐Expansive nature trails (Houston Meadow, Forbidden Drive) with the unique appeal of seeing horses at Philadelphia Courtesy Stables.
- ⭐A comprehensive and varied array of sports facilities, catering to multiple team and individual sports.
- ⭐Availability of a shaded play area for younger children (though heat of equipment is a factor).
- ⭐Potential for community-organized youth activities like after-school boxing.
- ⭐Easy and free street parking directly adjacent to the park.
- ⭐Large open fields next to the playground for general running and play.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Visit strictly during daylight hours; avoid coming 'after dark' for safety reasons.
- →Bring bug spray, especially if planning to use the tennis courts or explore the nature trails.
- →Always inspect play areas for dog waste before allowing children to play.
- →Manage expectations for the playground equipment's condition; its primary value for older children lies in the sports fields and nature trails.
- →Avoid visiting on very hot days, as slides and play structures can become dangerously hot.
- →Consider the park primarily for sports activities, nature walks, or open field play rather than expecting a modern, pristine playground.
- →Check community center schedules for specific after-school programs, such as youth boxing.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Playground equipment is consistently described as 'somewhat run down,' 'BEAT with peeling paint and old, weathered everything,' and not stimulating for children aged 4-8 years.
- ⚠Slides and play structures, even in shaded areas, can become 'way too hot to use' during warm weather, posing a burn risk.
- ⚠Reports of dog waste in the older kids' playground area, indicating poor maintenance and hygiene concerns.
- ⚠The park feels 'not as welcoming' and potentially unsafe 'after dark,' with specific advice to avoid nighttime visits.
- ⚠Restrooms are functional but reported to 'smell terrible.'
- ⚠Tennis courts lack lights, limiting their use to daytime hours.
- ⚠The area is surrounded by tall trees, leading to potential bug issues (requiring bug spray).
Price & Value
Entry is free, offering excellent value for access to an extensive range of sports fields, courts, and expansive nature trails. The free community programs (e.g., youth boxing) also add significant value, despite the condition of some playground equipment.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations, such as wheelchair access for play structures or sensory-friendly hours, are mentioned in the reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Not explicitly stated, but as a public outdoor park, outside food and drinks are generally permitted and recommended due to the absence of on-site vendors or snack bars.
🚗Parking Info
- •Easy street parking is available, making arrival convenient.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific crowd level information is provided for the playground or trails, but after-school hours are active, particularly with youth programs like boxing.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Concerns are raised regarding safety 'after dark,' suggesting a need for increased vigilance during those hours.
- •Hygiene issues, such as 'dog poo' in play areas, are a reported safety/health concern.
- •No explicit mention of active staff supervision, first aid stations, or other formal safety measures for the playground areas.
⏰When to Avoid
- • Visiting after dark due to reported safety concerns.
- • Families specifically seeking a modern, highly stimulating, or meticulously maintained playground for children aged 4-8.
- • Making a long trip solely for the playground equipment, as it may be disappointing.
- • Warm to hot days if the main activity planned is using the playground structures due to extreme heat of surfaces.
- • If you have high standards for the cleanliness and odor of public restrooms.
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 2 reviews)
- Spacious play areas (mentioned in 4 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 3 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Gionna Blake-Melton
a month agoused to go to Huston Playground every day as a kid, and it was such a great spot! I loved the trail that led into the woods but now it feels a bit different especially at night It’s definitely not as welcoming after dark during the day, it’s a nice place to visit if you’re looking for a bit of nostalgia.
Judith Parducci
2 years agoI was amazed that during after school hours, the community center had volunteers that brought out equipment for youth boxing. Also, there was springs of water coming up from the ground. There are 2 play areas with swings and a climbing structure, one for toddlers & they other for elementary school-aged kids. The playground had nicely maintained courts: 2 hockey courts, basketball courts and tennis courts. A couple of baseball fields, a football field and perhaps nets for soccer and/or lacrosse. Behind the hockey court, is the start of the trail through Houston Meadow, which is approximately a mile and leads out to the Philadelphia Courtesy Stables. Usually the horses are out of their stalls grazing in the enclosed area. I took a left off the Houston Meadow Trail and it lead me to Forbidden Drive and associated trails. It was a great day.
Pao
6 years ago2 somewhat run down play areas (2-5 y/o, and older kids.) The little kids playground has shade so that's where I took my kids. Too hot to play in the other one, and even the structure that was in the shade, the slide was way too hot to use. There was dog poo in the older kids playground and overall the play areas didn't seem well maintained. It's a shame because the spray pad seems so fun! Big field next to the playground to run around and easy street parking.
Püdn Hart
a year agoTL/DR: Don't go out of your way for a visit. So, I read all the great reviews. Drove 4 kids from West Philly. Disappointment of the summer. This place is BEAT with peeling paint and old, weathered everything. The play equipment was not very stimulating for the 4,6,7,& 8 year old. The 4 year old literally said "This place is a bummer". 😂 However, the fields were awesome if you're on a team. The view is green. The bathrooms function - yay! - but smell terrible (and I do not have very high standards). Saving Grace: Epic, wild nature right behind park! Forget the playground, check out the meadow and woods.
Kevin Dang
9 months agoTennis courts (2 with working but Jerry rigged nets) serve the need of hitting around. No lights and surrounded by tall trees. Bring bug spray.
Contact Information
900 Grakyn Ln, Philadelphia, PA 19128, USA
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