This is the final part in a series looking at the newly-renovated playground in Cambridge Common and examining the concerns of parents and caregivers, particularly those with children in the "tot" age range that the former playground served.

All right, so I’ve got a few issues and reservations about the renovated playground at the Cambridge Common. I’ve definitely made that clear.

But it’s also important to take a step back and look at what’s nice about the park.

Creativity and innovation is admirable. It’s nice to see a playground that tries to depart from the standard plastic sides and climbing structures.

An emphasis on imaginative and interactive play is what we need in an era where a segment of the population believes playing Wii Fit is good physical activity. read more...

This is the fourth part in a series looking at the newly-renovated playground in Cambridge Common and examining the concerns of parents and caregivers, particularly those with children in the "tot" age range that the former playground served.

I’ve addressed several issues with the new playground in the first three parts of this series. However, the points I've raised were more or less inconveniences.

Today’s post takes a look at two aspects of the park that are really safety concerns.

Blocks

Part of the inspiring creativity component is an extensive set of wooden blocks. The idea behind the blocks, per the planning presentation materials, is to “for kids to be able to work in small groups or individually to create their own structures and play experiences.” read more...

This is the third part in a series looking at the newly-renovated playground in Cambridge Common and examining the concerns of parents and caregivers, particularly those with children in the "tot" age range that the former playground served.

A major feature of the renovated Kemp Playground is its aesthetic and open design. That’s what sets it apart from a number of other parks.

But upon experiencing the playground, it dawns on you, maybe there’s a reason that all the other parks have those features.

As a friend of mine said, “The park looking pretty is mostly for the parents. Anyone who knows kids knows that usually the less attractive or dirtier things are, the more enticing they are for small children.” read more...

This is the second part in a series looking at the newly-renovated playground in Cambridge Common and examining the concerns of parents and caregivers, particularly those with children in the "tot" age range that the former playground served.

The previous Kemp Playground was considered a “tot lot,” designed for children 1 through 5.

The renovation proposal made available to the public stated, “[The new] playground will continue to primarily serve younger children, while including some things that can appeal to kids of all ages.”

I actually went last fall when they had the plans on display, and nothing led me to believe that the demographic of the park would be significantly altered in the renovation.

The new playground is designated for use by children 2-12, raising a number of issues and challenges. read more...

This is the first part in a series looking at the newly-renovated playground in Cambridge Common and examining the concerns of parents and caregivers, particularly those with children in the "tot" age range that the former playground served.

For a number of local parents, the re-opening of the Alexander Kemp Playground last week capped a summer of anticipation with disappointment.

As I live closest to the Common out of my group of friends, I was regularly asked all summer as to whether the park had opened.

“Not yet,” I’d say and give the latest update.

“It looks like it’s going to be really fun,” one of us would say.

Then last week, it happened – the park opened.

And, after months of talking about how fun the park “looked,” I learned that the appearance might be the main redeeming quality of the renovated tot lot – which is no longer a tot lot at all. (And I’ll get to that tomorrow.) read more...

This week marked the re-opening of the Alexander Kemp Playground in the Cambridge Common.

Work continues to complete landscaping and fencing. The larger perimeter fence put up doing construction is still up, but is slated to be removed in the near future.

The re-opening comes almost nine months after construction began.

The park contains an extensive amount of features including:

- Two slide structures (one intended for older children, one for toddlers)
- Swings (standard swings, infants swings, a handicap-accessible swing and tandem swing)
- A water table
- A shower sprinkler
- A "pirate ship" play structure
- Landscaped area with a table
- Benches
- Blocks
- A seesaw
- A sand play area

And that’s a wrap. The Cambridge Arts Council’s ‘Summer in the City’ calendar concludes this week with free films on Wednesday and Thursday.

The Magnificent Seven will be shown at Raymond Park on Wednesday night.

On Thursday evening, E.T. will be screened in Inman Square.

The official start time for both events is 6:30 p.m, with the films slated to begin at dusk (roughly 8 p.m.). Each event will also feature pre-movie family-friendly entertainment.

The screenings cap off the summer-long, 15-event arts endeavor put on by the organization in association with a number of partner sponsors. read more...