I know some of you have a summer tradition of exploring new parks or playgrounds.
Here’s one that’s a worthy destination.
The playground/sprayground at the Centre at Norpoint is brand, spanking new, and features two sets of playground equipment and a seriously fun sprayground.
We went on a not too warm day (you know….July….), but my 8 year old still had plenty of fun on the big kid equipment, which includes some challenging climbing structures and a zip line. He declared the whole place, “Awesome!” and this is not a kid that throws around the word awesome lightly.
We also saw a whole group of kids in the sprayground having a ball despite the chilly weather. Norpoint is in the Brown’s Point area of NE Tacoma, and is an easy jaunt from Federal Way. If you live further south, I’d still consider it a worthy day-trip, especially on a sunny day. There are about two parking spaces right by the playground, so you’ll probably have to park in front by the center entrance and walk around. The playground and sprayground are in the back. There are clean family restrooms (no soap-when did bathrooms quit having soap?).
Here are a few things to know before you go.
- The water features come on at 10
- Little kids should stick to the playground just for them. The big kid section has challenging climbing features, a slide without sides, and a spinning ring thing that is probably going to get an arm broken (my kid Looooved it-you’ve been warned).
- It’s a popular place. Go at 9, and you’ll likely be all alone. Come 10 or so, you will see buses of kids from day camps arrive, and it’s a popular place with neighborhood families too. Because it’s open and well spaced, I never found it so busy I wanted to leave, but if your kids are intimidated by groups, this is not the place for you. It also attracts more tweens than your typical playground because of the more interesting equipment and the sprayground.
- If you live in the area, there are many, many programs to take advantage of at the Center. Be sure to look into them.
You might also enjoy my list of Top South Sound Playgrounds Part One and Part Two, my Best Beaches List, or my post on Strategies for dealing with summer playground crowds!
Have you found a great new playground this summer? I’d love to hear about it!