Aspen Park

 Aspen Park is a small park in Soldotna, Alaska. It can be found by turning onto Aspen Drive from either Marydale Drive or Knight Drive, about halfway down the street. There is parking for 3 cars on the tiny parking pad, and more along the curb.

From the start, let me just say that this park is not as tot friendly as the City of Soldotna might lead you to believe on their website. Sure, there are some fun features like the chain link spider web, but I had to help my nearly 3 year old son over the top. This is a park for active children and active parents. For this visit, I only had the youngest of my children with me and nearly every feature required me to aid my small children. It is one of the reasons that I don't come to this park as much. I think the last time I was here my oldest 2 sons were around the same ages and they spent most of the time under the wood structures in "their fort".

The tires are a fun feature. My son enjoyed climbing through and walking on them. I think my older children would have loved the tire swing.

 Big step down, not so bad coming the other way. No way I would let her or him attempt this alone.

 Though the spaces and gaps are large, it didn't slow them down too much. At least the platforms are flat planks, not round. There are two slides at Aspen park - one tall twisty slide and one hexagonal super short slide. Both require climbing up rungs that are spaced just a little too far apart for toddlers.

 She couldn't get up. It was too far between, which is okay for her age. I recommended this playground for children a little more physically coordinated and taller in stature, like age 3 and up.

The nicest part of the park is the trail that connects it to the dog park. Its not far away, but meanders through the woods in a loop. There are 2 benches at the dog park, which the Soroptomist society is currently working on. Along the trail there are square picnic tables and trash cans. There are a total of 6 picnic tables throughout the park and at least as many trash cans. There are also a few benches facing the play ground and some trails leading off to neighborhoods. Be mindful of private property at the edges of the park. Its fairly well defined and most neighbors have it posted clearly.

Bayview Park

Bayview Park sits at the top of Bayview Avenue in Homer, Alaska, just east of the hospital. It is a tiny neighborhood park, but boasts plenty of fun for a family whether it is wet or sunny outside. The park has one picnic table right next to the playground equipment.

Bayview boasts 3 slides, which were all tested and approved for play by my toddler. He was very thorough.

Bayview also has some large rocks and boulders for a game of "lava" or "crocodiles". Almost as good as a genuine "Log".

Parking for Bayview Park is up behind the park. There you will find a port-a-potty. Parking is limited to 2 or 3 vehicles and additional parking is probably available along the surrounding streets.

There are two swings at this park. It was enough for us for the day. It is a very small park, after all, and I am sure is normally only used by locals. Two swings is fair.

I love the yellow plastic and wood structure, but I felt like there were a lot of very large gaps between components. I didn't let my small toddler climb on this structure alone for fear of her putting a leg in to the gaps.

 My research group, hard at work.

 

Perhaps the funnest feature of this park is the tiny valley running along the upper side. There are two little plank bridges over what I am sure can be a creek during rainy weather. My children were happy pretending it was a moat and running up and down between the hills. It is a fun way to keep the natural landscape of the park. Thanks, Homer, for not being generic and homogenized.

Two "bridges"

I found this picket fence park charming. It was easy and fun, open, but small enough for me to sit back to relax and comfortably keep an eye on children spread out over the park. Be mindful that there are houses and streets surrounding every side of the park, so children should not be allowed to wander nor should they be allowed to be excessively noisy if you happen to go to the park late in the evening.

Beaver Creek Park

Beaver Creek Park is located off the Kenai Spur Highway. From Kenai, take the first left after Beaver Loop Road, at the top of the hill, just before the curve. Parking is a loop, and you will probably want to parallel park. There is a water fountain in the island at the center of the loop, a great place to stop to fill up water bottles while you are out and about. The road continues past the park to a neighborhood of private residences. If you are riding or walking on the Spur Highway bike trail, this is a nice stop for lunch or a rest.

There is a bathroom, though it is more of an out house but, hey, its something. There is also a covered picnic table and a solitary trash can. Don't forget the wobbly bench.

Again we see a Kenai favorite, the green play structures. Were these bought in bulk? I have to admit that the bubbles are futuristic and space agey, but I hope that a playground update is on the list for this park. There is a basketball court.

 Though the playground itself is small, there is a large open field, great for frisbee, football, and picnics. My son's soccer team met here a few times for practices. It was ideal.

 I have an artistic niece. She takes amazing pictures; "POS Paint"

Ah, graffiti. Or an attempt at it anyway. Apparently, I'm not the only one who feels this way about the park. Is it the equipment or their can of spray paint they are commenting on?

The play ground is cushioned with sand. It works well. I don't recommend letting small children walk around public parks barefoot. She just wasn't having it. I only set her down to take pictures, honest.

 We explored the woods nearby. It looks like the surrounding area is being developed for something. I would love to see a campground go in here. It would be a great place for families who are on the peninsula for fishing season, near the boat launch and only 3 miles through Beaver Loop to get to the city docks.  All in all, the green space is what this park is all about. The City of Kenai could give it an update. This park could be a lot more popular if it wasn't so out of date.

Found some tiny flowers. They were pretty. I love Alaska.