Once again, we're in suburban Dallas -- Richardson, actually -- visiting a school playground which, if it was any closer to my mother-in-law's house, she'd have to pay property taxes on.
Location
RISD's Arapaho Elementary has been re-named Arapaho Classical Magnet, but... seriously, come on.
The school is less than a mile from Cottonwood Park, backing up to W. Arapaho Rd, just West of N. Coit, but actually sitting on the corner of Cypress Dr. and Mimosa Dr.
Parking and Access
We always walk, but when school or after-hours activities aren't in session, the lot is always empty. So, if it's Saturday, go ahead and bring the stretch Escalade.
Setting
The playground is just East of Arapaho Elementary.
There are no restrooms, and no outside water fountains.
Arapaho is a busy street, so don't let little ones our of your sight -- of course. There are two gates on the Cypress side, closer to the playground, so the perimeter is not secure.
Playground Amenities
There are a couple of standard issue play areas -- plastic slides and coated metal platforms, stairs, ladders and bars.
A few of the surfaces, and climbing apparatuses (apparati?) are a little higher than we're real comfortable letting our two-year-old play on without a spotter.
Unless you're there at recess, there should be plenty of swings to choose from.
Also, there's a climbing wall -- great for kids a few years bigger than mine, at 2 and 3. The wall is probably shorter than five feet tall, but long enough for good monkeying around.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
During our most recent visit, the park was littered with 2 or 3 jackets, one backpack, a pair of jeans and a sock. I don't think any funny business is going on in the schoolyard after hours, but honestly, how do you forget your pants?
There's currently a metal park bench that has fallen down, but the playground equipment is all in good shape.
Scene
I guess that during recess, it's the place to be, but I've actually started to wonder if we're allowed to be there during the weekends.
In Houston, the Spark Park program encourages school and civic communities to share ownership of the school parks, and the Sparks are rarely empty, but up in NoTex, we're often the only people in Arapaho Elementary's playground.
This is a great park for the anti-social.
Bonus features
Thankfully, the big playground is shaded with a cloth awning-type structure...sail...thing. It won't do much good when it's raining, but it'll help keep the sun from making your head spontaneously combust.
Basketball hoops? Check.
The school also has a half-fenced baseball field with warped bleachers, and a sand lot that seems to either be either rock hard and dry, or ridiculously muddy and wet. So, if you're looking for that, you got it.
-J
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