Top 3 Playgrounds in S.NH to Check Out Today!
- mharding221
- Sep 14, 2015
- 4 min read
This week we've finally been hit with some cooler days, as a reminder that autumn is on its way. This is my favorite time of year to visit playgrounds; you don't have to worry about re-applying sunscreen 8 times, like you do at the sunny parks in the summer, and mud and ice aren't an issue like they are in the spring.We wander so much, that sometimes I take it for granted that everyone else must know about all the playgrounds we do. So, with that in mind, I wanted to share our top 3 favorite playgrounds in Southern New Hampshire:
1. Livingston Park: Manchester, NH. Livingston is a large park in Manchester's North End, and it definitely wins for the most beautiful setting.
Basics: Sturdy playground with a separate play area for toddlers, set in a lightly-wooded, partially-to mostly shady area. Good for ages 2-8.
Features: Flushing, indoor toilets (open most of the time), plenty of benches, picnic tables, and nearby fields for frisbee or soccer, etc. It's next to Dorr's Pond, which has a wide, wooded trail encircling this oval-shaped pond; perfect for trail-running, dog-walking, or just general outdoor wanderings. There is also a free public pool next to the fields for summertime swims. The pond is also a popular spot for ice skating and hockey in the winter.
Notes: Ducks frequent this area, but you cannot feed them - it pollutes the pond. There's also no swimming, but I've heard that the fishing is decent, and there's a paved ramp down to the water for putting in canoes or kayaks.
Wanderer's Tip: If playing at Livingston worked up your appetite for a hot, homemade meal, or you're craving some NH-made icecream, pop across the street (and down a few buildings) to Blake's Family Restaurant. This quaint eatery is reminiscent of decades-old ice cream parlors, complete with circular swiveling stools, like I used to visit in the '80s. Their ice cream portions are plentiful (but not overwhelming), their prices are cheap, and their ice cream is delish!
Directions: Take 93 to exit 9, towards Manchester. You should see the sign for Livingston Park on your right at the 3rd set of lights.
2. Circle Of Fun Playground: Auburn, NH. This is one of those hidden gems that only locals (and those of us who've befriended them) seem to know about. My neighbor used to live in Aurburn, and mentioned it to me one day. I'd forgotten to ask him for directions, and all he'd told me was that it was right by Lake Massabesic. Since we love exploring the trails around there, I decided to wander around one day until we found it - and now it's one of our favorites!
Basics: Sturdy playground with a separate play structure for toddlers, a gazebo with a couple picnic tables, overlooking Lake Massabesic. Good for ages 1-7
Features: Port-o-potties (except in the winter months when they're taken out), a few benches and picnic tables, and even a recycling bin. When the water level is low, you can wander across the street and walk the small beach that forms around Massabesic. Great for finding driftwood and clam shells.
Notes: Lake Massabesic is a water supply for Manchester and Auburn, which means no wading or swimming (this drove my son nuts when he was littler). You can however fish (with a license), and there's a boat launch a short walk down the street.
Wanderer's Tip: If you plan on having a picnic at Circle of Fun, stop at Sandy's on your way (just off the rotary/roundabout), but consider calling ahead if you're in a rush - this convenience store/sub shop does a lot of business. Their prices may be slightly higher than a chain sub shop, but their portions are generally quite large, and the workers are always friendly.
Directions: Take exit 1 off of Rt. 101, onto Rt. 28 Bypass South. Take the 3rd exit off the roundabout. This puts you on Rt. 121 South. Follow this about 3 miles until you come to an intersection with a flashing yellow light. Take a right and the playground will be on your left about half a mile.
3. Barnard Park: Goffstown, NH. This playground we stumbled across by accident one day, while we were in the area. You'll see a (somewhat small) brown park sign (if you're looking really hard), below the Barnard Ln. street sign, just off the main drag. From the road, it'll look like it's a short, residential dead-end street, but it's actually the driveway that leads to Barnard Park. From the parking lot, you'll see tennis courts to your right, and a pristine jogging track in front of you. One of the reasons we like coming here is so we can pretend to have races. :) Hidden in the way back corner of the park, is a small but neat playground.
Basics: ...I'm not gonna lie, this isn't a big or impressive-looking park. But sometimes it's nice to just enjoy a clean and quiet park. Good for ages 2-6
Features: A listing of suggested fitness activities (like squats while leaning against a bench, etc.) can be found on different plaques from the track to the edges of the playground, as a neat way to strength train while your kiddos play. There's also a beautiful basketball court as well as a covered pavillion-like area with bunches of picnic tables so you can have some lunch while shaded from the sun.
Notes: There are some short, buggy trails on the outskirts of this park, but I wouldn't really recommend them unless nature is urgently calling. They've recently added one port-o-potty to the parking lot, but it might just be there for the school year, as the local high school down the street uses the track. There were no bathrooms last spring or summer when we visited.
Wanderer's Tip: Gas up before you go! Don't be like me, wandering about with the needle in the red, assuming there will always be a gas station within a mile or two, because that is not the case here.
Directions: Take Rt. 101 West to Rt. 114 North, and follow 114N for about 8 miles. Shortly after the roundabout (which you go straight through to stay on 114), the sign for Barnard Park will be on your left.
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