Rosedale playground is one of the cutest playgrounds in the city and really honors the special place where we live. There are so many special things about this playground that it is hard to know where to start.
All of the equipment on this playground has a National Mall theme. They have included miniature climbable versions of the White House, the Capitol, the Lincoln Memorial, the Hirschhorn Museum, the Washington Monument, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, and both the Natural History and Air and Space Museum. There are plaques to explain each of the monuments. The interpretive panels were not working but the parent could read a lot of great information to their non-reading kids.
There is also a sensory area for toddlers to use their fingers and ears. There is also a “sway fun glider” that is perfect for all types of kids.
The equipment has faded in the sun but it is all in excellent condition. It is also one of the cleanest playgrounds that we have visited. There was very little trash on the ground and it was very well cared for. However, what makes this place even more special is that it is an accessible playground. There are plenty of ramps so that kids in wheelchairs can freely move around the features of the play area including enough room for two chairs to pass each other. The ground covering is soft so that if a kid falls, they won’t get hurt.
Another great bonus for this playground is that there is a pavilion right in the play area. Parents can sit in shade at one of the four picnic tables and be close enough to their kid that they can monitor them closely but still be able to read a book or even work on a laptop. Rare to this area, there are also parking spaces which include a number of handicapped spaces.
We went to the playground on a Sunday afternoon. There were only two other families at the playground during prime playing time. Mac Kid was able to run around and climb to her hearts content. This was our first visit to this close to our house playground but it certainly won’t be our last. You might even find us there this Sunday but this time we plan to make good use of the picnic tables and bring some snacks.
If you know of other playgrounds that are just as special as Rosedale, let us know. We would love to check them out.
