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Now that I'm a mom, I have to ask: Do people who design parks have kids? If so, do they ever take the kids to the park?
As the heat of summer blazes down, I struggle to find somewhere to take my 2-year old to meet her endless desire for "Slide! Swing!" (Then she clarifies, as if I might misunderstand and make a mistake otherwise, "Swing HIGH!")
I am constantly amazed, however, at how little shade is available at many Macon parks. It's as if the designers forgot where we live (hint: Not Maine). They don't plant trees -- or not enough -- in and around the play areas. That means constant worries about overheating and sunburn, not to mention the fact that frequently the playground equipment is too hot for kids to touch.
I was impressed with many aspects of the new playground at Waterworks Park but sorely disappointed that the designers chose a plastic that absorbs heat like a brick oven. Today many plastics don't do that.
Of the Macon parks I've visited, the worst offenders for this besides Waterworks Park are North Macon Park and Central City Park. For goodness' sake, Central City even has trees everywhere -- but not a one around the slides. Waterworks still has time to plant some trees around the playground, since the park is still in development, and I hope they will choose to do so.
There's a park at the school on Ridge Avenue that has shade everywhere except around the swings, and a little-known park off Riverview that is shaded almost all day (although it's playground equipment is less exciting than some others).
What parks can other people recommend that have good amenities AND shade?