Karen Hornaday Park

 Karen Hornaday Park, Homer, Alaska

 

At the beginning of June we went to Homer for the day. It was gorgeous outside and we followed friends to the park at the top of the hill for a picnic lunch. I had not been to any playground in Homer, so I wasn't sure what we would find. I expected a semi-run down, wooden structure play ground equipment, since that is what we frequently find in small communities, including ours. I was so surprised to see a brand new park, customized with community flair and touches of area history!

Karen Hornaday park is located near South Peninsula Hospital, high on the hill above Homer. It is a brand new play ground, built by community volunteers, that opened just days before we visited. You can read about the project here.

The park has a Homer theme - features such as a fishing boat, a small village and driftwood sculptures all bring the flavor of this fishing town to the playground. There is ample parking both below and next to the park, as well as a wonderful campground, with a parking area and bathrooms above the park. The park is situated by two baseball fields, so you might consider parking above the playground if the lower parking area is full.

                                                                             Driftwood sculptures

 
From where we parked, the first thing we saw was the extra long slide. After watching my kids fly down the slide, I decided that I needed to try it myself. I handed the baby off to my oldest child and climbed in. The slide isn't big enough for an adult to sit up in, so I had to lay down. It is a looong slide, so I picked up a lot of speed on the way down and flew out the end of it, landing on my bum in the gravel. A little painful, but worth the trip! 

There is a designated toddler area in the play ground, with slides, a sand box, swings, a play house village, miniature ampitheater and a fun train that tots can climb in, over and around. There are even little picnic tables!

Top to bottom: Train, toddler tree house with slide exit, pioneer village, picnic tables, Mini ampitheater with xylophone. All pictures containing adults or children other than my own are used without permission. 

 The older children have the remainder of the park to explore. There is a climbing wall, 3 or 4 slides, a giant tree house, swings, monkey bars, and a fishing boat where you and your crew can pretend to bring in the biggest catch ever.

 Another one of my favorite features of the park is the driftwood slough. There is a drinking fountain at the top and all extra water runs down the slough, giving other children a chance to splash their hands in the water or pretend to pan for gold. 

 A few other tips: There is a pavilion with picnic tables opposite the park in the lower parking lot and at the time we visited, another picnic table near the bottom of the long slide and slough. If you need a bathroom, head directly to the camp ground parking lot above the park by continuing up the hill,  past the play ground entrances. You will find a very nice path down to the park from the parking area.

My children love this park. We were so pleased to find something new and original and the view cannot be beat!  I can't wait to come back for another day trip or camping trip.

Update: We did camp at the park and were lucky enough to get a spot very close to the playground.  The park is within walking distance of the Pratt Museum, where you can catch the Homer Trolley during the summer months and see Homer without moving your tent or motorhome! We had a great time.