Peek-A-BooAfter a semi-disastrous venture to Forest Hills Park last weekend, I didn't know what to expect from Piney Wood. Forest Hills gets rave reviews from parents in the area for its "sprayground." However, I'm still trying to figure out what bothered me most about this park. Was it the disrepair of the equipment, the litter covering every inch of the playground, the fact that Edmund has been to much nicer "spraygrounds" in other places, or simply that Edmund can mix sand and water at school any day of the week? I'm glad that Durham has such a playground, but I'm not sure I'm willing to make the drive when there seem to be better, closer options out there for our family. I'm willing to give Forest Hills another chance for perhaps we caught it on a bad day. There was a family reunion going on and we all know how those can get. So Edmund and I may make our way back, but I can guarantee Steven will be a no show.
Piney Wood was a blast. It's fairly close to our house which is a huge bonus for me. I'm finding I like nearby options on weekdays after work. As I mentioned before, the playground isn't immediately visible from the parking lot. Once I located the playground this turned out to be another selling point. Our go-to playground in Chapel Hill at the Community Center is located away from the parking lot, but not far enough I feel I can let my guard down for a second. This wasn't the case here. The playground is also shaded which will keep Edmund and me cool on hot days. Fortunately today wasn't a scorcher, but it's nice to know this is a place where we can attempt to beat the NC heat. I also love the fact that none of the play equipment has major drop-offs. Edmund seems to have some issues with depth perception and I worry about him at most other playgrounds. I hover, not because I want to, but because Edmund is very likely to walk off a tall ledge without a second thought. In most instances I take the philosophy "live and learn", but when it comes to 10 feet drops I err on the side of caution.
Edmund actually didn't play very long on the play equipment. He went up and down the steps a few times, turned the large maracas
around, and did a couple rounds of sliding, when he saw "IT". A huge dog park full of...you guessed it...dogs! Edmund climbed up onto a wooden slab and pressed his nose against the fence. He summoned the dogs at the top of his lungs with a cry of "goggies." Don't ask me why it's "goggies" as he seems to pronounce other "G" word just fine. Edmund was a crazy ball of excitement until one dog answered his call and pressed its nose up to the fence. Edmund flailed his arms and ran to daddy who at this point had joined our park excursion. His words of wisdom..."don't call the "goggies" if you don't want them to visit." Very well put. Edmund eventually went back to the fence. He retained his excitement, but ceased the "goggy" calling. It's funny how his fears come and go, though I suppose a healthy fear of dogs can't hurt. Our child who today appeared horrified to be approached by a dog, yesterday marched up to our neighbors and informed them that he was going to pat their dog, Kiki, on the butt. It seems mommy and daddy need to start watching what they say.The dogs eventually moved to the other end of the dog park and Edmund lost interest. He played on the playground a few more minutes, then informed us "I go home, drink milk." Thus ended our playtime at Piney Wood Park. This is one park we'll be sure to visit again. Who knows? Perhaps Edmund and I will hit the trails the next time. If you see a kid pushing his own stroller you'll know it's us.
Location:
5999 Woodlake Dr.
Durham, NC 27713
