#45 – Pine Nursery Park

Pine Nursery Park opened in the last few years (I think.) I only discovered in last year. We put off doing this park in the tour last year because it did not have any play structures. Gleefully, we discovered earlier this summer that they were finally completing that section of the park. We have been anxiously waiting for the playground to open. I believe the play area just opened in the last couple days.

The play area is spacious, and unique. There are swings, including a special needs swing. The slides are not typical, but the use of different climbing methods to get up to them make them fun! There is a large cargo net play structure, which I don’t remember seeing in any other park. There are also some spinning structures. (Fair warning, we went to this park right after dinner and did not even think about the effect of excessive spinning right after food. I don’t hold it against the park. I just hope some other family can learn from our silly, and frankly smelly, mistake.)

 

On the right side of the play area are a couple structures for smaller kids. These are also  rather unique. There is a piano and drum panel, which make music when used. The piano panel also gives you some sheet music to play a delightful children’s tune (I won’t ruin it for you.) We did not fully explore this structure, but I believe there are panels representing many different musical instruments. There is also a little kid bridge next to the music structures.

 

 

I think my favorite feature of this park is the large map of the world, with the hoop in the center. I can see plenty of inventive ways to use this for fun and learning. In general, this park would be perfect for a learning adventure. With the fishing pond, nature trails, and the inventive park there are multitudes of learning opportunities. (Maybe this is nit-picky, especially since it would have required a lot of detailed work, but I wish the Eastern European countries were more defined. It’s probably just me, though.)

Pine Nursery park is a busy park during the sports seasons, since it boasts a sports complex of 4 softball fields, 4 soccer fields, 8 pickleball courts, and a disc golf course. During the particular sports seasons, keep in mind that the parking lot (and play area) may be busy. We had a tough time finding a parking spot near the play area.

This park is also great for exercise with 14 acres of off-leash area for dogs (including a splash pad), and a 1.9 mile paved bike/pedestrian loop. This is one of my favorite parks to walk with friends.

As usual, you will also find a full bathroom, large picnic structure, dog stations, and trash receptacles. This park really has something for everyone! It’s certainly worth checking out. The Bend Parks and Rec team with the Oregon State Parks to manage and maintain this facility. You can really see the time and care both organizations put it. In general, well done!

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Ratings: 
(A scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is the least desirable and 5 is the most desirable)

Size: 5
Condition: 5 
Amenities: 5
Safety: 4.9
Fun: 5

Overall Score: 4.9999

Pine Nursery Park has something for everyone. Listing every amenity would take forever. There are multiple types of sports fields, and off leash dog park, restrooms, picnic shelters, and a great walking/biking path. The play area is brand new (as of 2015) and is inventive and unique. The only really nit-picky thing I have to say is there is no fencing around the play area. Although the play is not right next to an access road, if a child were to take off they could run fast and far. I was to especially say that I appreciate the special needs swing in this park. I highly recommend this park for homeschooling families, and for school field trips. There are many different learning opportunities!

 

#38 Mountain View Park – Providence Street

Mountain View Park is on Providence Drive, on the other side of Neff Road from Providence Park. The first thing we noticed, however, was parking was not as easy to find. If you get to this park on Providence, you will end up on a dead end, which is the park’s parking lot. With only three regular parking spaces, there is not a lot of chance you will find one open during peak ours. We ended up having to drive around (hint, take a left on Byers if you don’t want to get stuck on a roundabout on your way our of Mountain View Park from the parking lot) to the other side of the park to find parking, which was street parking.

We were surprised to find the park so busy later on a Wednesday Evening. I feel like this is a sign that Mountain View Park is popular with local residences and their children. There was a group of teenagers play some rough housing game in the middle of the LARGE grass area. Fun to watch, but a reminder that some day our son will be a teenager, and then it might not be so fun to watch. In general, I think it might be possible that this park is so popular that during peak hours it is unusable.

This park has the one of the largest grass fields we have seen. There are no trees or obstacles in the way of running around. This would make an amazing field for a pick up game of almost any sport. There is also a walking trail that goes around this field and through the park itself.

There is also a half court basketball court with bench seating around it.

The Bend Park and Rec website says the picnic pavilion can seat 8 people. Since there are two picnic tables, I would say you can fit 10-12 people comfortable, if you need extra space for a cake or presents. I feel like the pavilion is a long distance from the playground and the porta-potty, keeping it from being on my list of birthday party favorites.

The play ground itself is massive, with to play structures focused on different age groups. There are also mini structures in between, including a couple silly mirrors. The play ground also sports two regular swings, two infant swings, and a special needs swing (yay!).

There is plenty of seating around the play area, though I would imagine on a busy day it may not seem that way. Though the play area is sat far away from the roads, it is right next to the parking lot, which could cause heart attacks for parents of wanders.

Mountain View Park probably suffers in my mind because it was done right after Orchard Park, which is our new favorite. There is nothing significantly wrong with this park, and the fact that it is has a special needs swing really appeals to me. I do think that on a busy day, this park feels like it could get choatic and uncomfortable (I’m not sure why I feel that way, though.)

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Ratings: 
(A scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is the least desirable and 5 is the most desirable)

Size: 5
Condition: 5
Amenities: 5
Safety: 4
Fun: 4

Overall Score: 4.5

Although Mountain View Park suffers from no major flaws, it does not feel like a relaxing oasis from the world. There is some concern with the play area being so close to the parking lot and a road, which could give some helicopter parents of wandering children some problems. This park does have a special needs swing, which is rare for Bend area parks. The varied play structure gives this park a wide appeal, as does the expansive grass areas and the walking trail.

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#22 Boyd Park – Comet Street

 

We pulled Boyd Park out of the jar. It is located in a charming new development. The parking for Boyd Park is street park, which wasn’t much a problem for middle of the day on a Wednesday. When the developments around the park finish, I wonder if parking will become more difficult.

 

The park is large and has two distinct play structures. One is for the younger kids and includes 2 infant swings. The other play structure is for older kids and has 2 regular swings. In between are varies structures that are unique. In general, my husband and I agree that this park is a perfect example of how a park should be laid out.

My purse and pink water bottle in the background

We were extremely grateful for the picnic shelter at this park. The shelter is next to the play ground, and is shaded. It was over 80*, so we were happy for the shade. there does not seem to be much shade elsewhere in the park. The picnic shelter seems to have seating for 12. Both picnic tables seem to be missing benches. I went looking to the Bend Park and Rec page for Boyd Park for answers, but did not find any. I wonder if these benches are meant to have room for wheelchairs. If so, then it’s awesome. The picnic shelter is also near the porta-potty and the water fountain.

The half court basketball court has a picnic table and regular bench near by. It is on the edge of the native landscape area.

There are two native landscaped areas in this park. Both have nearby doggie stations. This is NOT an off-leash dog area, but would make for a good place to take Fido for a quick walk. There is also paths that go through the park as well. I would not say anything is big enough for a nice walk, but they could turn into a loop in a pinch.

There is plenty of large grassy area at Boyd Park as well. It is missing a decent amount of picnic tables. If you plan to picnic here with your family, especially during peak teams, plan on bringing a blanket.

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Ratings: 
(A scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is the least desirable and 5 is the most desirable)

Size: 5
Condition: 5
Amenities: 4.75
Safety: 4.5
Fun: 5

Overall Score: 4.75

For all tense and purposes, Boyd Park may deserve to be a 5 star park. There is something here for everyone. The park is in excellent condition. We always have concerns when there is only street parking in a park. I also worry about any park that encourages dogs with a separate fenced area. It was a very hot day, and it seemed the dark colored slides were a little too warm. I do wish the park had more picnic tables in general. Even though our hair splitting lowered it’s rating, Boyd Park is a must see for anyone in the area.

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#20 Lewis and Clark Park – Lemhi Pass Drive

 

After the disappointment that was Three Pines Park, we went searching for greener pastures. Really, a patch of grass would be an improvement. Luckily Google Maps showed this grassy gem not too far away.

Already, the parking situation was much improved. There is street parking around the perimeter of the park. You also find large amount of grass areas, a play ground, and many other amenities.

The playground has multiple structures that range all ages. Our son was entertained by most of it, and the other children who were at the park for a birthday party seemed to enjoy all of the park’s options.

The park has plenty of bench seating around the play structures. The play structure is a little closer to the street than I would like, but the streets in the neighborhood to not seem too busy or fast.

I was very happy to see a special needs swing in this park. This is the first swing of it’s type we’ve seen on this tour so far. I wish there was more than one. There are also two regular swings and one infant swing. I am a strong proponent of having plenty of swings, especially for the busy times.

This park does not have a large picnic shelter. It does have a plaza with two picnic tables and some benches. It was scenic and serene. On a lot this big, I would have expected a shelter. The park does have a doggie station and water fountain. You will also find a half-court basketball court next to the play structure.

You can walk the sidewalk around the park if you are in a pinch for a walk.

My favorite surprise of this park are the two natural vegetation portions on two corners of the park. They would make a perfect spot to walk Fido. I also noticed to girls playing in the dirt. I don’t know what kid wouldn’t want to play in these patches of high desert landscape.

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Ratings: 
(A scale of 1 to 5 where 1 is the least desirable and 5 is the most desirable)

Size: 5
Condition: 5
Amenities: 4
Safety: 4.5
Fun: 5

Overall Score: 4.5

There is not a overly repulsive about this park. On the contray, Lewis and Clark Park is beautiful. I am very surprised that there is no sort of bathroom on the grounds, which really brings down their amenities score. The lack of a picnic shelter also hurts the score, though the scenic picnic plaza tries to make up for it. You can walk your dog in the natural landscape areas on leash. I wish the park was a little further from the road and the parking wasn’t limited to street parking. I am very happy to see a special needs swing, though I wish the park had more swings in general. You can read the Bend Parks and Rec website about this park, here.

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