Hooray! Today I received an eye witness report that the sprinklers at Chevy Chase Playground (aka Livingston Playground) are finally up and running as of 1130am this morning! The hours of operation will be 11am til 7pm DAILY – this sprinkler park is in fact open on SUNDAYS! The water comes on in ten minute cycles (on for 10 minutes, off for 2 minutes) but the button on the top of the red “hydrant” in the middle of the spray ground will keep it on continuously (see picture). See you there!!
A picture from the testing phase - note the red hydrant in the middle which keeps the water on.
Chevy Chase Playground (often called Livingston Playground because of its location) is located at 4101 Livingston Street Northwest, Washington D.C. It is within walking distance from the Friendship Heights Metro Station (on the Red Line) and, there is also plenty of street parking. For more pictures and information on the rest of Chevy Chase Playground (which was just renovated) check out my earlier post.
Update on Tuesday August 2nd – the sprinklers are ON!!
Update on Wednesday July 27th – DPR announced at the meeting Tuesday evening that they are working on the drainage problem at present and hope to re-lay the concrete/cement on Thurs/Fri this week. They hope to turn the sprays on again on Monday August 1st to test whether the problem has been fixed.
Original post – It seems like all the moms in NW DC are asking “When are they going to open the spray park at Chevy Chase Playground?!” It’s so hot out, and it’s hard to be patient. Today I sent a tweet to the Mayor (@mayorvincegray) asking if he could help and at least get some information about when they plan to fix the drainage issue. I just got his response: DPR tells me that work to repair should start Monday and take a couple of weeks. I understand impatience in this heat!
So there you have it – I wish I had better news to report! In the mean time, check out the other DC sprinkler parks – I posted a list just the other day. And, don’t forget about the Wilson Aquatic Center. It’s a great way to beat the summer heat.
Still not open - and it sounds like it will be awhile.
FYI – There will be a community meeting with DPR regarding Livingston Street Park on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at 6:30 PM. During this meeting DPR will review the additions to the park, areas that need attention, and the timeline for repairs or remaining installations (spray park, sand box, benches, etc.).
Who: DPR Staff, Director Aguirre, CM Mary Cheh and Community
When: Tuesday, July 26, 2011
6:30 PM
Where: Chevy Chase Community Center Multi-Purpose Room
5601 Connecticut Avenue, NW
This week Cameron, Violet, and I, went to check out the sprinklers at Friendship Park (Turtle Park). He had a blast, so I wanted to find out where we could find more “Spraygrounds.” I contacted the DC Department of Parks and Recreation on twitter (@DCDPR) and they pointed me to a list of all the Sprinkler parks in the District. Here’s the list:
Cam cools off in the Turtle Park sprinklers
14th and Girard Street Spray Park - 14th and Girard Street, NW
14th and Park Road Spray Park - 14th Street and Park Road, NW
Benning Stoddert Spray Park - 100 Stoddert Place, SE
Columbia Heights Spray Park - 1480 Girard Street, NW
Friendship Spray Park - 4500 Van Ness St., NW
Lafayette Spray Park - 5900 33rd Street, NW
Palisades Spray Park - 5200 Sherrier Place, NW
Petworth Spray Park - 801 Taylor Street, NW
Riggs LaSalle Spray Park - 501 Riggs Road, NE
UPDATE – As of Today, 8/2/11 the sprinkler park at Chevy Chase Playground is OPEN. For more info: http://mommyftw.com/the-sprinklers-are-on-at-chevy-chase-livingston-playground/
For more information on hours of operation and contact phone numbers for the sprinkler parks, check out the Washington DC Department of Parks and Recreation website.
By the way, if your toddler is a little water shy, check out an earlier post I wrote about helping your toddler warm up to going in the sprinklers.
UPDATE – Yesterday we went to check out the Palisades Spray Park and the water was NOT on. I talked to some people at the park and they said it is usually NOT on – so if you are looking for some sprinkler fun, I wouldn’t bother heading over there! Check out Friendship Park instead.
My 2.5 year old toddler isn’t really keen on spending the day indoors even if it’s hot or rainy (and neither am I!) But my 3 month old little girl doesn’t do too well in extreme heat, so I’ve been on the look out for places to go near by that are fun for him, comfortable for her, and affordable for me. I already wrote about the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, which is a favorite of ours – but recently I checked out the Wisconsin Place Community Recreation Center at the suggestion of some moms. It was a greet find for us, so I wanted so share with my readers.
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Enter on the same level as P.F. Chang’s
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Space to run, and air conditioning to boot
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Big blocks to play with
The Wisconsin Place Community Recreation Center is located at 5311 Friendship Boulevard in Chevy Chase, MD – just over the Maryland line in the same building as the Whole Foods and Bloomingdales. They have a children’s play area with a few oversized blocks (see pictures) and some toys. The guy at the front desk told me that on Monday and Wednesday mornings they move the kid’s stuff into the basketball court and let the kids play there – which is where we ended up. It’s nothing amazing – but Cameron had a great time running around with the other kids. The cost was $5 for us to enter, but you can get a yearly membership which is what I plan to do. It’s $30 a year for Montgomery County residents, and $45 for non-county residents.
You can park in the building parking lot, which isn’t free. But, if you spend 5$ at Whole Foods (including the coffee bar) you can get parking validated for 90 minutes. I’m almost always in need of some coffee or some groceries, so it’s not too hard to think of a reason to shop.
You can find out more about the Rec Center including facility information, hours of operation and fees at the Montgomery County website.
It’s hot and the sprinklers are on at the local parks – But I some toddlers (including Cameron) are a bit water shy. If your little one is a little nervous about getting wet – here’s a few things you can try.
Cameron stages a ball rescue at Camel Park
I will often take one of Cameron’s favorite toys (his blue car, a ball, or doll stroller usually work well) and throw it in the sprinkler. Most of the time he will go and get it. Once he’s been in the sprinkler once, he seems to get over his fear (at least for the day). Warning – if your child is stubborn you might end up having to retrieve the toy yourself… or you can try and convince another kid to get it for you.
Another method I use is to hold Cameron and we run through the edge of the sprinkler together. Be sure to take your cell phone out of your pocket before you do this! Again, once Cam has gotten wet he seems to get over his fear.
This last method I saw a dad use with great success. He dared his 2.5 year old to run into the Camel Park sprinkler and tag the center of it. Who can resist a dare? After his first trip in, the little boy was soaking wet in 2 minutes.
Posted from New York, New York, United States.
Our vacation is coming soon and it’s made me think of the 5,000 things I need to do to get Cameron prepped and ready to go! It’s also made me think about posts I did last summer which maybe some of my readers might have missed:
Baby Sunscreen Thick and Annoying? Try This! – My favorite sunblock for baby…. check it out!
This is my pick for best baby sunscreen
Hot Baby? Heat Rash? Try a Soothing Bath – A simple home remedy to help deal with heat rash
Swings? Check. Shade? Check. Camel Park – It’s a classic for a reason – Camel Park is small but shady, and great for summer.
Hot Baby in the City – Last summer Cameron was rocking Lucky Wang Kimonos – and I plan to get him more this summer too.
Cute and Cool!
Swim Diapers Get a Second Life – How to reuse your swim diapers, and get more for your money!
Clermont Pool – You MUST go! – It’s not open yet, but once summer is in full swing you have to check out Clermont pool!
Are you ready for the hot days of summer?
