River Legacy Science Center and Park in Arlington

We took a little day trip with a group of friends last week down to Arlington for the River Legacy Science Center.

I had two of my boys with me ages 3 and 5. We arrived after the 45 minute car ride in which my navigation system got a little pushed out of shape. It seems that my idea of how to get there differed from hers. But we made it and found a beautiful tree covered parking lot with trails that lead to the Science Center.

The center is nestled in the trees between ponds and creeks and trails. It’s architecture was inspired from children’s drawings. It is a special place that feels a bit whimsical. There is no admission. All the attractions there are free.

Inside there are several learning areas. Each has interactive exhibits geared to grade school age children. The kids ran around pushing buttons, finding animals and exploring the center.

This photogenic snapping turtle was my favorite. He was fine with posing for multiple pictures unlike the boys.

The boys were partial to a fuzzy tarantula they found nestled in the tree exhibit pictured above.

Outside is a really pretty observation deck to the pond. I loved the building architecture here. We were able to observe some snapping turtles in their natural habitat from a bit of a distance.

All around the Science Center and through River Legacy Park are trails. Our group consisted of quite a few small children so we concentrated on the ones around the center. It would be fun to go back and do some more exploring.

River Legacy Park is incredible. It is huge. There is a play area, multiple picnic areas – both covered and uncovered, and wide open space.

The kids played on the playground for awhile and then we enjoyed a picnic on a nearby table.

We spent a total of 3 hours. We could have spent more if we had the time and energy. It was worth the drive and we will return.

WTD? Flower Mound!

Last week my two older boys were in a daily morning summer camp – robotic camp at Home Educator’s Resource in Lewisville – so it was just Rhett and I on the town.

On Wednesday we were meeting some friends at Kid’s Kastle park in Highland Village so we went a little early with a large bag of old bread to feed the ducks before play commenced.

Quite honestly I was pretty proud of myself for getting us to the park early and not forgetting the bread.

Rhett started tossing the bread to the ducks.

The ducks looked in our direction.

The ducks examined our offering.

The ducks deemed it not good enough.

The ducks walked away.

Great, ducks with an attitude.

Rhett ran around trying to force-feed them for awhile much to their disgust and I ended up taking a nearly full bag of bread back to the car.

The next day after we dropped the older boys off at camp again I looked down on the minivan floor and saw the bread.  I decided we would go to a different park where the ducks might be hungrier…and more appreciative.

On the way to Rheudasil Park I was driving down 1171 – a six lane divided road which came to a complete stop.

What?

Make way for ducklings…a mother duck and two ducklings stopped traffic on both sides of 1171 to cross to the other side.

*insert modified chicken joke here*

Well, to clarify, there was a lady who risked her life to get those ducks across the street.

It was a impromptu duck parade right through the middle of Flower Mound.

So, we get to Rheudasil Park and the ducks RAN TO THE CAR TO GREET US.

Finally, some grateful ducks.

Rhett was delighted.  He tore small pieces off of pieces of bread, hot dog buns and old toast.

He threw them high.

He threw them low.

He giggled when he hit the duck beak target.

And then the duck mood changed…

What?

The ducks turned and started running AWAY from us.

The ducks were running away from us.

The ducks were running toward a lady who had come to the park with corn kernels.

And we were left holding a nearly empty bag of bread.

Ingrates.

Gaston Park – Flower Mound

Gaston Park in Flower Mound is a quiet little park that has a lot of features.

There are two things that I love about Gaston Park.

1. A shady bench in the afternoon.
2. Super close, convenient parking.

The parking is so close to the play area that it was a place on a breezy afternoon I could park the minivan with a sleeping baby, open both minivan doors for air circulation and sit in the van while watching the older boys at the park.  Not very many parks can boast such a feature – there is even shade on some of the parking lot in the afternoon.

Thankfully we are now beyond the baby sleeping stage at my house, but we still go back to Gaston Park.

The boys love it because they believe that this the best slide in the DFW metroplex:

The slide is tall.

The slide is long.

The slide is awesome.

Gaston Park also has a large field area for running around, a baseball field, a basketball court, trails along a little stream, swing set and several benches.

Gaston Park is located at 2651 College Parkway in Flower Mound, Texas.

Have you slid down that slide?

Kids Quest Playground – Mesquite

We recently were “in the neighborhood” so we did some exploring at Kids Quest playground in Mesquite.

It’s a big wooden playground like we love so much.

Here are some pictures from our day…

I even let Rachel play some music with her feet on one of the music stations.

The Kids Quest Playground is part of DeBusk Park which is located at 1625 Gross Rd in Mesquite.

When Kim and her kids aren’t on a park tour of the Metroplex, she writes at Savor the Days.

Earth Day Celebrated in Lewisville’s LL Woods Park

GLECPTA – Greater Lewisville Early Childhood PTA  now has its own tree!

Leo the Live Oak was planted on Earth Day 4-22-09 at LL Woods Park in Lewisville.

The city shared with us information about trees and talked with us about their importance and many uses.

They also showed us how to plant our tree.

Everyone pitched in:

(Thankfully the hole was already dug when we got there!)
Keep Lewisville Beautiful was there as well.  They brought tattoos, coloring books, bracelets and gliders for the kiddos.
Look for our picture in the Lewisville Leader in the upcoming week or so…

Leo the Live Oak will be loved by those frequenting the park and newly built pavilion in the future as he will be offering much appreciated shade from the western sun as he grows.  He is easy to visit and enjoy as he is located right off the parking lot.  Many happy kiddos and families will pass our tree on their way to the pavilion and playground.

Many thanks to all those that participated and shared in our celebration.

Happy Earth Day!

Central Park – Lewisville

I think Central Park in Lewisville is one of the prettiest places in North Texas. The trees are large and cover the majority of the park. Even a majority of the two massive play structures remain in the shade during the summer.

There are wide open spaces at Central Park and paved trails to explore. The park provides multiple gazebos and covered picnic areas. There is even a large restroom facility.

A winding road with parking weaves through the park. This allows for parking near the play areas without a problem on most weekdays – in the shade.

Picnic tables are everywhere in Central Park that seem to get good use. We weren’t the only ones picnicking this week on a school-day around noon…

What a happy place.

Central Park is located off Edmonds Lane just North of Corporate Drive.

Kid’s Kastle at Unity Park – Highland Village

Kid’s Kastle at Unity Park in Highland Village is one of those parks that has it all.

It is a huge open area with multiple ball fields, practice fields, track, pond, sand volleyball, multiple play equipment sets, fitness course, multiple picnic tables – some covered, restrooms and a train.

A train?

Yes, one of the fun things about Kid’s Kastle is the frequent freight train that runs along the tracks that border the park. I have been there when 50+ kids playing nearby hear the train whistle and pour out of the wooden play structure to wave at the train engineer.

But even if you miss the train there is plenty to do.

I like that there is adequate shade in several areas of the park – both within the large fenced wooden play structure and around the picnic area. My kids are often a little short attention span when it comes to play equipment so it is nice that there are multiple places to play at Kid’s Kastle.

There always seems to be families fishing and picnicking on blankets under shade trees next to the pond.

These pictures were taken in February so the full effect of summer foliage cannot be appreciated, but it really is a pretty place to spend a morning with your children.

The park was named for the Unity Tree which is located there. It is one of the largest pecan trees in Texas and is around 150 years old.

Unity Park with Kids Kastle is next to Briarhill Middle School in Highland Village, Texas.

Kids’s Colony Park

Once considered the premiere park in The Colony, Kids’ Colony Park opened in 1993. An entire castle maze made of wood, slides, and tire climbing structures it is still quite a fun adventure for children during the day. It is one of only 2 parks in The Colony with working swings and Kids’ Colony Park has toddler safe child swings as well.

Located near The Colony Police Station, Senior Center, and Rec Center there is also an almost always busy basketball court and skateboard park located right next door for older kids to keep busy while little ones play.