NE Ohio Parks: Avon Lake Play Space {ALPS}
Hello and welcome back, NEO Homeschoolers!! How has your July been? We've been busy with playdates and splash pad visits. We've even gotten in a couple of zoo visits. Thinking through our summer activities, I thought it would be fun to begin highlighting various parks across NE Ohio, especially ones that rank among our favorites. So, to get started I want to visit a local treasure that has been around since I was a kid; the only difference today is that it's been updated immensely to be higher quality and safer for kids of all ages. I'm talking about Avon Lake Play Space or, ALPS off of Electric Blvd. in Avon Lake, Ohio.
Back in the '90s and early 2000's (i.e., when I was a kid), ALPS was a massive, wooden playground - similar to Play In Bay if you've ever been there - with castle-style towers and metal slides that burned your butt as you slid down. That's what I grew up playing on, but unlike Play In Bay, ALPS was not maintained as well and began to fall apart. In fact, the last time I visited the wooden playground as a nanny in 2021, the wooden ALPS looked very decrepit and run-down. It was definitely not the playground I remembered playing on as a daycare kid on summertime field trips. Needless to say, I was really glad to see an announcement on Facebook from the city of Avon Lake that the city planned to demolish and update ALPS. I know that may push some buttons if you're from the Avon Lake community and were sentimental about the wooden ALPS of the '90s and early 2000's, but I believe playgrounds are meant for kids to climb and play safely on, and that wooden playground was no longer safe for kids to play on.
Fast forward to today, and the new ALPS is one of my daughter's favorite playgrounds to visit with friends. In fact, we were just there recently with her homeschool friend, Scout. Maureen loves the giant slides, the spinning merry-go-round feature, and of course, the swings. I love that it's a HUGE space with plenty of room for kids to run, climb, and play without being on top of each other. There are also multiple play structures and even a toddler/preschool area for younger kids who aren't quite ready for the giant play structure in the middle of the park. And if you're a fan of sledding in the winter, ALPS has a fantastic little hill at the back of the park - closer to Lake Rd. - that looks like it would be perfect for some winter sledding when there's enough snow. The updated ALPS also features plenty of shaded areas and several benches and picnic tables for adults - and kids - to sit and rest or cool off on hot summer days.
For parents with older kiddos who might not want to play on a playground anymore, ALPS is part of a larger park, called Blesser Park. Blesser includes not just ALPS, but also Avon Lake's community pool, baseball fields, basketball courts, and a walking path around the playground. It's also not far from the lake, so as long as you're comfortable crossing Lake Rd., you can also visit Lake Erie while at Blesser, or just enjoy the view from the benches included at the top of the small hill at the back of the playground area.
In terms of parks, Blesser Park definitely checks the boxes for having a little something for everyone. From ball fields to the pool to the memorable ALPS playground, Blesser Park offers a variety of activities and plenty of space for kids to move and enjoy their time outdoors. Having grown up in Avon Lake, I am thrilled to see Blesser Park still receiving use and love with updates to both the community pool and ALPS playground in recent years. As a long time Avon Lake resident and a mama with a daughter who adores playground trips with her friends, I highly recommend checking out Blesser Park next time you're in the Avon Lake area.
Thanks for reading! If you're curious about what all is happening this month, click here to check out my August Homeschool Happenings post. For some fun activities to finish out your week, click here for my most recent "This Week in Homeschooling" post. Finally, if you're new here, and haven't read my post discussing why I believe NE Ohio needs a homeschool directory, click here to check that out. With that, I'm off to mom life... four year old demands and questions and infant cries and coos... See you soon!
Wait! Before you go...
Do you know someone who would benefit from reading this post? Help them out...
Hey NEO Homeschoolers!! Do your kiddos have a favorite park or playground you'd like to see featured in the next Parks & Playgrounds of NE Ohio post? Send me an email at homeschoolmama195@gmail.com and share the details with me.
Happy homeschooling!! 😄