Sheridan-Emmett Park - Manchester, NH

This urban playground has some good things to offer, including basketball courts and a large lawn with a walking track around it. The two playground structures offer the usual slides, climbing walls and monkey bars. Several large, old trees offer some shade over park benches to relax on while the kids play. With the Cremeland only a few blocks away, Manchester's best ice cream is just minutes away. The playground is tied to the Beech Street School, and during school hours the playground is for school use only.

Location: 324 Beech Street, Manchester, NH

Smyth Road Elementary School Playground - Manchester, NH

While my husband was putting together our own new playground at home, I took the kids to a new playground. This playground was tested out by my four year old, as my two year old fell asleep in the car on the way there.

The playground is behind the Smyth Road Elementary School in Manchester's North End. There is plenty of parking right up close to the playground, which is not fenced in. The playground also lacks swings. However, it makes up for it in some fun, unique elements, like bells and drums. It's a nice playground for a summer evening.

Location: 245 Bruce Road, Manchester, NH

Parker Varney Elementary School - Manchester, NH

Our local neighborhood school, Parker Varney Elementary School, has a brand new, fun playground. The two large structures offer lots of sliding and climbing fun, with benches for the parents surrounding them. There are no swings, but the playground makes up for it with simpler offerings, like the brightly painted jumbo map of the United States and the hopscotch and four square games. The playground also has basketball hoops, kickball diamond and tall ball buckets (what are those called anyway?). This is a really fun playground for a summer evening.   

Location: 223 James Pollock Dr. Manchester NH

Crystal Lake - Manchester, NH

We tried to beat the rain and get some fun in at the playground tonight, but got caught eventually in a downpour. It was fun while it lasted. Crystal Lake has a nice little playground,with two fun structures. The playground has a fence around it, but is not enclosed. Lots of slides and climbing ladders/walls make for a fun time. But the best part of the park is the beach and lake, although it is only open to Manchester residents. A gorgeous old stone pavillion is the perfect picnic area for the summer. There's lots of parking, but I bet that it fills up in the summer. Looking forward to a hot summer day to head back to this playground.

Location: Off of Bodwell Road, Manchester, NH

Griffin Park - Windham, NH

Despite the rainy weekend, we made it out to a new park. Griffin Park did not disappoint. Located in Windham, NH, the park has something for everyone. Several soccer fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, skate park and walking trails in addition to the playground area. A concession stand is located near the baseball field with a covered pavillion. The playground is nice, with a fence surrounding the structures. There are lots of structures, including two main playground structures, climbing walls and a old school four-way metal teeter totter. The largest structure has "trees" the kids can climb up into the "treehouse." Plenty of swings also kept the kiddos occupied. Griffin Park would be a great place to spend an afternoon with a picnic lunch, topped of with an ice cream from Johnson's Farm Stand located right next door.

A nice little pond with a water fountain in the middle seemed like a good home for this mama duck and her ducklings. The kids love watching the babies run and swim around.

Location: 101 Range Road, Windham, NH

Raco Theodore Park - Manchester, NH

Raco Theodore Park, on Manchester's West Side, is a nice little neighborhood playground. The small playground is fenced in, but the latch on the gate is currently broken. There is one large structure with some fun, curvy slides and a few climbing ladders and walls. The ground could use a little grooming, as the matting under the bark mulch is ripped and poking through. The swings were fun and plentiful. Probably one of the best parts of the park we didn't get to enjoy. There is a huge pool, 50 meters by 25 yards with a side alcove as well. Looks like a great place for swimming in the summer, but it won't open until the end of June. The park is a good stop on a summer evening, but not a weekend filler.

Location: Head Street (off of Varney Street), Manchester, NH

Kids Kingdom II/Connor B. Lourens Memorial Playground - Lunenburg, MA

My husband and I grew up in Lunenburg, MA. Around 1988, the town built a new playground called Kids Kingdom. It was a large wooden structure with tunnels and turrets and slides. It provided much entertainment in our childhoods. In 2006, the town replaced the old structure with a new, modern playground. Filled with monkey bars, climbing ladders and fast, colorful slides, the playground makes for a fun time. With a separate, smaller structure for little ones, and the larger structure for more of a challenge, the playground is great for all ages. There are also plenty of swings. Unforutnately, there are no picnic tables or shaded area to rest under. 

A fun remanant from the first Kids Kingdom decorates the back of the playground. If you venture behind the elementary school that is located right next to Kids Kingdom II, you'll find some old fashioned teeter totters and huge old metal slides. They are an entertaining throwback to playgrounds of the early 80s, and they remain in good shape.

Location: 1025 Massachusetts Avenue Lunenburg, MA