Six special playground spots to explore

Parents, along with their young children, become discerning connoisseurs of playgrounds. A skilled kid wrangler can sum up a new playground in one quick sweep of the eyes — wood chips means no sand in the shoes, bathrooms a good hike across a field, shadiest bench is there, those monkey bars are a good height for junior, but that metal slide is going to be too hot.Although most parents probably have a few nearby favorite spots, they might not immediately be familiar with some of the region’s more unique playground destinations. Here, then, are a few from across the the north and west metro areas that should pass muster with even the most picky munchkin. A magical spotPeter Pan Park in Westminster is quite accessible at  4800 W. 92nd Ave. A robust water play area is great for those hot late-summer days, while the climbing rock and rope area will entertain climbing children year-round. The playground itself is modeled after Westminster, England, complete with a Big Ben clock tower and the ‘River Thames’ to splash around in.Mom Christy Antonio said she spent most of the summer touring different area playgrounds and ranks Peter Pan as one of the best.”The kids like the water; the splash pad is fun,” she said while her daughter splashed around. “I like that it is clean, that there are bathrooms and that the playground ground is soft.”Having a ballIf kiddos are into sports, it is difficult to think of a more perfect destination than Lakewood Park 150 S. Kipling Parkway. The playground is newly renovated, featuring some creative and whimsical play pieces. What really sets the park apart from the rest, though, is the array of sports fields and courts that ring the playground, including eight tennis courts.The courts are run by Hitman Sports Management, which contracts with the city. The company runs tennis leagues, offers lessons and provides gear for anyone looking to play. As an added bonus, the pro shop is right next to the playground, for a little added security.”We’re here 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day, which is nice,” manager Whit Wilson said.First-time tennis players are free, and there are lesson options for the whole family.For more information, court schedules, or to schedule court time, go to www.lakewoodparktennis.com.Nearby fields let children practice at baseball, softball, football, soccer or volleyball. During baseball or softball season, the concession stand might even be open. Having it allTravel over to 11701 Community Center Drive in Northglenn and discover all that E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park has to offer. For toddlers, there is a fenced-off play area, complete with the spongy rubber ground cover that is much appreciated by anyone with a walker who is still a bit wobbly.The main play structure is wonderful, with enough bridges, slides and monkey bars to keep even a persnickety kid content. “I’ve been coming here for nine years,” said Monica Gehringer of Denver. Her oldest son still comes with her to the park, though he usually heads to the nearby basketball hoops instead of the play structure, where his younger brother heads.A fountain jet section can help kids beat the heat, while there is a huge bench area with its own shade trees, just for the adults. Throw in a skate park, basketball hoops, permanent restroom facilities and a regular food vendor, and it isn’t much of an exaggeration to say E.B. Rains has it all. Oh, and that’s not even including the park’s Webster Lake, where families can fish or take a pedalboat out for a spin.The indoor havenFor all the wonderful weather that Colorado offers, it can also dump feet of snow on the ground and keep temperatures well below comfortable levels. That is why a large indoor play place that isn’t McDonalds is something of a godsend.The Apex Center, 13150 W. 72nd Ave. in Arvada, is just such a place. The center is chock full of recreation activities, but the skate park out front and the Apex Clubhouse children’s play place just inside the main doors are free for all. Within the play place, which is for children ages 1 to 10, are cubbies for kiddo shoes, a whimsical “tree” play place to get lost in, and even convenient benches for parents, all in a climate-controlled room.The playground bike crawlIf you have a bike trailer, a tag-along, or have the kids up and rolling on their own two wheels, then why settle for just one playground? Wheat Ridge happens to have a shady, winding bike path that follows the Clear Creek greenbelt, dotted with playground opportunities. Start at either the Youngfield trailhead, south of 42nd Avenue and Clear Creek on Youngfield Street, or drive a little farther into the city and start the journey at Anderson Park, at 44th Avenue and Field Street. Parking is ample here, the playground is sizable, and large trees offer ample shade. Head in either direction from Anderson, and a family can find other playground opportunities.A perfect stopping point is east, just past the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center (which has its own playground), at Discovery Park, 38th Avenue and Kipling Street. This jewel of a park has a bunch to offer in a small space with a skate park, water play zone and shaded picnic tables.Back on the west side of Kipling is the new Sprouts market, the perfect place to pick up a nutritious snack to refuel, or to pick up an entire picnic meal. A thematic favoriteA sense of whimsy is a wonderful addition to any playground. Arvada has several great spots. Even the simple stone dragon play area behind the Arvada Center has charm.But for a concerted theme sure to delight a certain segment of the youngest generation, there’s no beating Rainbow II Park, also known as the Arvada Volunteer Fire Figher’s Park, at 8191 Pomona Drive. “It’s just different than other parks around town, and it’s also usually not very busy,” said Clara Kelley, mom of a kindergartener in Westminster.The entire park is darling, with play structures shaped as fire engines and a large fire station. Fire-engine red is used on all the roofing, benches, even the support posts of the nearby basketball hoops. Alarm bells dot the structure, ensuring a child who likes to make noise is never far from a great opportunity.”No bathrooms though,” warned Kelley. “That’s the downside.”