If you’re moving, it’s important to check out your next neighborhood to ensure certain amenities are available. You’ll want to enjoy the outdoors and gather with your new neighbors. And if you have children, places to keep them entertained and active are essential. Fun communal places allow the residents to get to know each other while they enjoy using the space. Read on to uncover the must-have communal spaces that your next neighborhood should offer.
Children’s Park
A local park with a wide array of commercial playground equipment is ideal for your next neighborhood. Climbing walls, swings, slides, and monkey bars all provide fun and exercise for children. Is the park inclusive so children with disabilities can join in the fun? There should be ramps to the different levels rather than stairs so children in wheelchairs may explore.
Safety is an important feature in a children’s park. Ensure the equipment is somewhat new and does not contain rotting wood or rusty metal. Wooden surfaces should be smooth, improving mobility for disabled children and preventing the possibility of splinters. Check that the equipment is sturdy. For instance, swings must be cemented or otherwise affixed to the ground.
Another safety concern is cleanliness. You’ll want to verify there isn’t a lot of litter or graffiti in the area. Consider it a bonus if the park has a first aid station with bandages, cleaning wipes, and other medical supplies.
Many children’s parks are themed. Your neighborhood park might have a pirate boat with tall masts and waving black flags. Or perhaps there is a towering castle with miniature windows and a long slide leading back to the ground. These features encourage imaginative play, making it easy for children to join together in a fun adventure. Many modern parks include interactive features, like memory games, tic-tac-toe, music, and even some elements that integrate technology.
Grilling Area
What better way to enjoy the great outdoors than to grill out with your family and friends? A neighborhood communal space should offer grilling areas. Families can use outdoor grills and picnic tables to enjoy a meal after a fun day playing at the park. Check that the grills have a new barbecue brush attached so residents can clean them before and after use. Easy access to a fire-safe disposal of coals is also essential.
You’ll want to make sure the area offers plenty of seating areas, including benches, chairs, and covered tables. Ample seating near each grill allows families to stay together while setting up and cooking the meal. Picnic umbrellas provide shade on sunny days, keeping residents cool and comfortable while they eat and socialize with each other. They’re also beneficial when an unexpected rain shower pops up during your outing. A gazebo is another option that provides a pleasant area to gather with a larger group.
Adequate lighting is important for families who wish to enjoy the area past dark. A few large lights and some fairy lights strung through the trees illuminate the space and add a festive ambiance. The right landscaping around each grilling area helps create privacy, enabling families to enjoy dinner without interruption. Thoughtfully placed flower gardens, hedges, and small trees can form a natural border around each space.
Fitness Opportunities
According to federal guidelines, adults should get 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity five days each week. For children and teens, it’s 60 minutes each of those five days. Parks with fitness opportunities, particularly walking trails that circle back to the hub, help individuals reach their exercise goals. Studies show parks with walking loops had 80 percent more use than those without. Walking paths promote health for all ages, offering benefits like stronger muscles, a better immune system, and reduced stress.
In addition to walking trails, you may enjoy a park that offers separate biking areas that don’t interfere with walkers. Check for a bike rack to secure your bicycle when you aren’t riding it. If the park is nearby, you could bike there and lock up your bike to use other fitness amenities. The park might have a rock climbing wall, pull-up bars, or other equipment you’d like to use while you’re there.
Your local park should also offer sports fields, such as a baseball diamond, basketball court, or soccer field. This allows for casual pick-up games with neighbors and friends. While smaller parks may not have a field, they might offer a single basketball hoop or soccer goal for practicing. Larger parks often attract community and school teams to play regular games, which could also mean concession stands and bleachers.
Your Local Park and You
Before moving to a new house, check out the neighborhood, including the nearest park. Since you could live in the area long-term, you should ensure it meets your standards. Does it offer all of the amenities that your family wants?
Your kids will surely love visiting the playground and meeting new friends. You can bike there to make the most of the fitness opportunities. And taking advantage of nice weather to grill out and enjoy the great outdoors is another plus. So, before you pack up to move, go to your next neighborhood park and explore the area with your family. Once the furniture is all moved in and the boxes unpacked, you’ll be glad you did.
