This park was a favorite of Stormy’s when she was little. After Rainbow was born, and then Pebble, I avoided this park more and more. It was 3 levels, and I couldn’t watch 3 kids spread out like that. There was also a tall sliding pole that I was terrified one of my kids would try without me spotting them. That all changed at the beginning of the pandemic when I discovered the playground was being redone.
We waited a few months after the playground reopened to check it out. Stormy was in school, but Rainbow and Pebble were excited to see a new playground. We don’t have the Anne Arundel County Park Pass, but, after seeing this park, plan to for next year. For residents of the county, a pass is $30 and admits you to Downs Park, Fort Smallwood Park, Quiet Waters Park, and Kinder Farm Park. Without the pass, you pay $6 to enter the park. Definitely bring cash, exact amount if you can. Once you pay at the booth, you drive past the visitor center to the next parking lot, right next to the playground. It wasn’t a super busy morning, and we easily got a spot. I unloaded the girls and set them loose to explore.
The park is still 3 levels, but those levels have been reworked, and, with the new equipment, it was much easier to watch the kiddos. The upper level is for the younger kids, middle is for older, and bottom level is where the swings are. Pebble headed for a playset shaped like a giant tractor.
Rainbow, meanwhile, went right to the giant climbing apparatus on the middle level. There are different ways to climb on each side. She loved balancing on the giant rope, and trying to maneuver from section to section. Even Pebble managed some of it, although I def kept a close watch on her!
The long tube slides between the upper and middle sections are gone now. Those were Stormy’s favorites! In their place is a regular slide, but one that is several children wide. There is turf on either side of the slide that the kids can run up and down.
One of my favorite parts of the redo here is the transition from the second level to the bottom level. There used to be a fence atop a wall, and limited spots for parents to get down there, although the kids could use various apparatuses to slide down. The original access points remain, but the wall and fence are gone. There is a turf slope, plus slides and climbing nets to connect the levels.
I let my two littles explore for a long while before we set out for the farm area of the park. This is the only park in this county that is also a farm, and it makes this park very unique. We were treated to the sight of baby pigs and baby goats in the big barn. There were also goats in one of the pastures, and a rabbit hutch with big rabbits! We finished our circle of the farm at the poultry house.
Once the girls had their fill of seeing all the animals, we returned to the playground once more. There was still so much to see and do! The girls found an awesome area to make music, and Rainbow tried out another climbing structure.
We spent hours here, and could easily have spent hours more. The renovation was very well done, and I liked how some of the equipment reflected the park, I.e. the tractor shaped equipment on the upper level and the chicken coop. We will be back, although we may stick to spring and fall visits as this place does get super busy in the summer. Everything is walkable and stroller friendly. There are some great trails to check out, too. Happy trails!!