Abbott’s Creek Park opened in 2015 and is home to this neat little playground. It primarily contains climbing structures, so it is similar to the indoor facility at Greystone community center and Leesville Park. However, unlike Greystone and Leesville playgrounds, Abbott’s Creek Park includes swings (2 infant and 2 belt) and 2 slides.
Outdoor Playground
You will find the playground back behind the community center. It contains lots of climbing structures with a couple of traditional playground elements. There are a few unique items in toddler section:
Yep, those are large marbles (remember playing with them as kids?) They are immovable from the larger structure but you can spin them. My little boy spent a good bit of time trying to take them out! He also liked the toddler slide (see above) and was able to manage it without my assistance. 🙌
The entry to the slide on the older children’s side is a bit of a challenge. I don’t mind because it keeps the younger ones from climbing up too high!
Overall this is really the best playground for lazy parenting. It’s completely fenced with a rubber surface and is well shaded in the morning. I came here a lot when my kids were 3 and under just so I could actually just sit and let them play without my involvement. Sometimes you just need that break, amirite?!
Indoor Tot Time
Inside of the Abbott’s Creek Park Community center they offer indoor tot time in the gym. Check out the Raleigh reclink calendar for information about days and times. It’s one of our favorite activities since they have it so frequently and pull out some toys for the kids to play with in the gym! It’s also great for lazy parenting so you can sit back and let the kids play, although I wish they had more toys for the amount of kids that go!
Green Road Community center is another option for tot time as well. They pull out more toys, but the gym does not have A/C of heat like Abbott’s Creek does!
Pros:
- This playground is fully fenced in with 2 magnetic gates
- Most of the structures are covered by sun shades. The swings are not, however.
- Rubberized surface. Per the results of the poll on my facebook page, this is the #1 favorite type of surface of parents!
- A combination of climbing and traditional playground elements.
- Enough things for younger toddlers to do
- Bathrooms and a changing table inside at the community center.
Cons
- fairly small, so I imagine it could get crowded pretty quick if it was busy.
- Older toddlers will certainly try things on the older children’s section, some of which are pretty challenging.
Have you been? Let me know your thoughts!!