Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

So my DD is walking on her own now, we have small property, she wants to venture into the street, we also have some damaged railroad ties (the wood that barracades flowerbeds and patio and such) that are in dyer need of repair that we can't afford to right now. I've recently joined the SAHM club since my job was eliminated. So with that I thought - the park! A small, not crowded one.

Albeit, the sign said the area was for kids 2 and up and I guess it's best to wait. I took DD on the swing. One - she got bored kind of quick, yet I couldn't swing her higher b/c her back doesn't press up against the swing back. Also b/c all the little one's running amuck and we almost took one boy out accidentally b/c he ran in back of the swing. Another kid was "making fun" of her for swinging low! I couldn't believe that kind of thing starts that young and the parent said nothing about it (I would have been yelled at for taunting another kid in front of either of my parents). Also, she's not "in charge" of how high she swings - I AM! Anyway, we tried the slides... which DD loves... BUT she does try to climb up them. Of course a kid wanted to slide down and was getting "annoyed" with DD for climbing up. I won't even get into the irritation I find in the gender comments when a boy smacks into her. Anyway, point of my story is that I need and want a place to take a 14 month old during the nice summer days. I really don't want to pay for things like Gymboree, plus I want her to get to enjoy outside stuff. She's not being raised "girly", she plays with balls and seems to enjoy the playground. Her former daycare while I was working had a great playground that she really enjoyed, but the kids were all her age - maybe the oldest kids were 18 months-2 years. Suggestions???

ETA: it was a small no-name playground in Garden City. I'm having trouble going too far from home b/c of how far along I am with the pregnancy.

Message edited 7/3/2009 1:58:18 PM.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

Which park did you take her to? I know that I have been to cedar creek and wantagh and they both have separate areas for the little kids and big kids. I took DS today to Wantagh and it wasn't that crowded at all!

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

There is a toddler playground in Williston Park, right by the rr tracks that is PERFECT for that age! It is usually very quiet. DS was 12-14 months last summer and we went all the time!

I believe it just south of Hillside.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

Honestly- I think you are going to run into that problem no matter where you go. At 14 months, DD was still a fairly new walker, so just walking around was enough of an experience for her. We joined an age-appropriate gym with children in her own "skill" group to allow her the opportunity to explore those types of things (climbing, ball play,etc). To me, the $$ was worth the peace of mind.

It wasn't until my DD was about 21 months old that I really felt we could truly enjoy going to public playgrounds and not worry about her being mowed down by bigger more active children.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

Posted by Gatsbygirl

There is a toddler playground in Williston Park, right by the rr tracks that is PERFECT for that age! It is usually very quiet. DS was 12-14 months last summer and we went all the time!

I believe it just south of Hillside.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

We have a small playground within walking distance to our house that we love - its a mixed age group with prob kids predominantly 3 yrs and up. DS has been going there since he was 8 months old and there are a ton of younger kids too - Yes, the older kids can be rambunctious but NOTHING like what you described has ever gone on at our park - the older kids are so nice to DS and often talk and play with him. When he used to take FOREVER to go up the stairs they would wait their turn, try to talk to him or walk next to him nicely. This is how it should be! I'm sorry you had such a bad experience! I live probably about 15 min or more from you so I doubt you would want ot try our park and really its nothing to write home about but, I just wanted to let you know that experience isn't the norm.

Message edited 7/3/2009 2:36:18 PM.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

yeah, cedar creek in wantagh is awesome! what about that park in garden city park on Nassau Blvd. (it used to be a sand park when I was a kid). That's a nice park! DD is 12 months and a walker...she likes Cedar Creek.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

I think just keep attending the park...before long she will get the hang of everything.

I have a complete park kid, we are at different parks 5 times a week since 10 mos old.

As a sahm, its the best thing for both of us.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

There is a little toddler playground in Manhasset, near the train station, and there is also one in Roslyn (it might be a baby playground actually) near the library, though it's in the same space as the older kids playground.

I agree with a PP, you will run into this wherever you go when there are mixed ages, and she needs to learn how to handle herself in these situations. When DS goes to the park, I need to watch out for other kids when he's on the swing, because I know they will dart in front or behind sometimes. I also have no qualms about talking to kids about being rough around him if they are a lot older and bigger and their parents aren't doing it. Oddly enough, the kids usually listen, and the parents often don't even notice.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

My DD liked last summer and still does at 2 - Tullemore (GC), and St Pauls - although Tullemore works better for her. Which one did you go to - some of the GC ones are nicer than others.

Re: Playgrounds for 14 month old - a little disappointing today

It was the Nassau Blvd one. We may give it another try - it could have been busier b/c of the holiday weekend and all - a lot of people were off today. We'll try it again next week during the day.

Where is Cedar Creek? Sounds like it may be nice since a few people mentioned it.