McKoy Park (Decatur)

McKoy Park is located at 534 McKoy Street, Decatur, GA 30030.  There is an entrance on McKoy Street with a parking lot that has direct access to the pool and the baseball field. There is also an entrance on Adams Street on the dead end with closer access to the playground and pavilion.

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Overview:

There is playground equipment for younger children (2-5) as well as older children (5+) featuring small and large slides, music instruments like drums, monkey bars and many climbing/balance beams and activities. There are two infant swings, two belt swings and two accessible swings.  This park also features water fountains, restrooms and tall trees which provide ample shade.

The baseball field is fenced in, lighted and features a concession stand. This park also features an outdoor seating area for classes or impromptu meetings. This area is located near the skate park and basketball court.

McKoy Pool is open Memorial Day through Labor Day. It is open as early as 9am. There are season passes available for non-Decatur residents. There are picnic tables surrounding the pool area and a very nice shallow end for younger or less experienced swimmers. More information and photos available after the pool season starts.

There is a skate park at McKoy Park which features many ramps, rails and drop-in areas. There is usually a few people skating during the day and it’s much more full on weekends. There is a pergola area near the playground where spectators can watch the skateboarders.

 

According to the City of Decatur website, the park will be undergoing renovations during the second half of 2016. An update after the renovation will follow.

Parking: Dedicated lot

Surrounding Area: Residential, with a school nearby

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes, with a ramp into playground

Ground Cover: Wood Chips

Seating: Park benches, picnic tables and a small wall that many parents sit on in the playground area

Pavilion: Yes, with 2 grills.

Restroom: Yes

Direct Sun or Shade : Reasonably shady depending on time of day. Lots of tall, old trees nearby. Infant swings can be in sun.

Fenced in? :  No

Infant Swings: Yes, 2

Quality of Playground Equipment: Ok

Ball Fields: Yes. There is a baseball field with concession stand and a basketball court (that needs a little TLC)

Overall: We visited on a spring morning and there were a few nannies with their charges which were younger than 5. The skatepark had a few visitors and it was generally quiet. My son had a lot of fun exploring all this park had to offer – especially watching the skateboarders. I am happy that the City of Decatur chose this park for a renovation as the playground equipment looked in need of a refresh. We will definitely be returning.

Orme Park (Atlanta)

The approximate location of Orme Park is 774 Brookridge Drive NE, Atlanta GA 30306. It is located in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta.

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Overview: Tucked away in a very nice neighborhood is Orme Park. Upon first glance at this park, you’ll notice the push toys and toy trucks and cars that were donated by parents in the neighborhood. This park consists of a large playground structure, 2 sites with swings, a sandbox and a creek with small bridge.

The playground is fit for all ages with small and large slides, rotatable blocks with X’s and O’s, monkey bars and climbing/balance beams and areas for imaginary play like a toy kitchen. There is a circular sand box that is usually full of digging toys.

Parking: Street, free

Surrounding Area: Residential, park is beneath street level

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes upon entry. May be inaccessible in certain areas

Ground Cover: Wood Chips

Seating: Park benches, picnic tables and a small wall that many parents sit on

Pavilion: No

Restroom: No

Direct Sun or Shade : Reasonably shady depending on time of day. Lots of tall, old trees nearby.

Fenced in? :  No

Infant Swings: Yes, 4

Quality of Playground Equipment: Good

Ball Fields: No

Overall: This park is a great park for children as it boasts a great playground, many ride-on toys, swings and a sandbox. I have visited this park many times and always find it busy with children and their parent or caregiver. The push toys are a little weathered but that doesn’t bother the children. Due to the sandbox, this is one of my son’s favorite parks. Lack of a restroom and water fountain are the only real cons.

Milam Park (Clarkston)

Milam Park is located at 3867 Norman Road, Clarkston, GA 30021.

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Overview: This park was established in 2012 and it shows. Upon first entry to the park area, you’ll notice the pool to your left, followed by the tennis courts, dog park, soccer field area and finally the playground. There is another soccer field area at the rear of the park. At the time of our visit, it had recently rained and the city of Clarkston was seeding new grass near the playground for the younger children.

The playground is divided into 3 areas – an area for younger children ages 2-5,  an area for children ages 5-12 and swings.

• The playground for the younger children has small slides, wall activities like “Find your Name in the ABCs”, musical instruments like drums and bells, and a large children’s fire engine that can accommodate many children.
• The playground for children ages 5-12 features many large slides, climbing wall, wall activities and metal climbing items like monkey bars.
• There are several kinds of swings including 2 infant swings.

The Milam Park pool boasts the following: zero entry, 4 lap lanes, wading pool and several water features for play. It is open between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Residents of Clarkson enjoy a discount while it still remains inexpensive for non-residents. The pool can also be reserved for parties. I will add photos of the pool area when the pool season begins at the end of May.

There is a fenced-in dog park directly next to the playground area.

Parking: Dedicated parking area

Surrounding Area: Residential

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes

Ground Cover: Wood Chips

Seating: picnic tables

Pavilion: Yes, six in total with grills.

Restroom: Yes! 2 sets.

Direct Sun or Shade : Park is for the most part, very shady. Swings can be in direct sunlight.

Fenced in? :  No, but playground is set back farther from the street

Infant Swings: Yes

Quality of Playground Equipment: Newer. Installed 2012

Ball Fields: Yes, tennis, baseball and soccer.

Overall: This park has quality playground equipment and a very nice layout – especially for parties. This park has all of the ingredients for an excellent party – pool, playground, restrooms, grills and ample seating. There wasn’t enough grass or places to run around near the playground area for my son though.

 

Willis Park (Avondale Estates)

The approximate address of Willis Park  is 51 Dartmouth Avenue, Avondale Estates GA.

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Overview: This park was recently renovated in the Spring of 2016, the first renovation in its 92 year history. The park contains a large green-space area, newly paved walking paths, ample benches and seating, a pavilion with picnic tables, several areas to swing for both infants and children including a tire swing, a large merry-go-round, a smaller play structure for children aged 2-5 and a larger play structure for children aged 5-12  which includes a large spiral slide, many climbing structures and a balance beam. The play equipment is brand new as of Spring 2016.

I visited this park on a weekend morning in the Spring with my husband and nearly 2-year-old son. It was moderately crowded with average children age ranges between 2-8.

Parking: Street, free

Surrounding Area: Residential with close proximity to a school and members only pool

Wheelchair/Stroller Accessible: Yes

Ground Cover: Wood Chips

Seating: Park benches, adult swings, and picnic tables

Pavilion: Yes

Restroom: No

Direct Sun or Shade : Park is for the most part, very shady. Play equipment also has some sun/rain protection.

Fenced in? :  No, but playground is set back farther from the street

Infant Swings: Yes, 4 plus a Mommy and Me swing

Quality of Playground Equipment: As of 2016, brand new.

Ball Fields: No but there is a large open green-space for informal soccer or football games

Overall: This park is brand new, very clean and safe. It has something for every kind of child whether they prefer swings or climbing. The landscaping is excellent with freshly laid sod. Downsides include lack of restrooms. I will definitely return again to this park.