Out and About Mom

Things to Do with Kids in Connecticut

By

Miracle League Barrier Free Playground

Last Father’s Day, there was a special dedication ceremony in West Hartford.  After years of hard work and fundraising efforts, the first Miracle League field in New England opened in West Hartford.

The complex included not only the Miracle League field but also several fields for the West Hartford Little League and a barrier free playground.

This past weekend I finally got a chance to check it out first-hand and let my kids play on the playground.  Why did I wait so long to take my kids here?  Who knows.  But I’m certainly glad I finally made the visit.

The fields and playground are located on the corner of Trout Brook Drive and Asylum Avenue adjacent to the University of Connecticut’s West Hartford campus.

Actually, the parking for the facility is the UConn parking lot.  After you pass through the intersection of Trout Brook and Asylum, make the first turn into the UConn parking lot and find a spot close to the fields.

After you park, just walk over the little bridge towards the baseball fields.

You will pass by a basketball court and a few baseball fields before you see the playground.  It is basically located in the center of the facility, right next to the Miracle League field.

Now, this playground is very nice.  From the street, you really can’t tell that there is an abundance of activities located there, but it is pretty great.

Let me give you a quick run-down on what I liked:

  • It is brand new
  • It is built to allow children of all abilities to enjoy the space
  • There are a variety of activities including slides, ramps, things to touch and feel and that make sound
  • The ground material is a rubberized surface (good for wheel chairs, falling kids, crawlers, early walkers, etc.)
  • It is small which for me meant it was easy to keep an eye on my kids
The playground is designed for kids ages 5-12.  I will say, though, that my two-year olds did just fine playing here.
The thing to keep in mind is that given it is a smaller playscape, designed for the older kids and located right in the middle of the West Hartford Little League baseball fields, it would probably not be the best play area for two-year olds when there are a lot of older kids enjoying it.
On a Monday morning when the older kids are in school, this is great.  On a Saturday afternoon when games are going on it could be a little more challenging.  Just something to keep in mind.
There is one bench located in the playground area and a water fountain (though it is not yet turned on for the season).  There is also not currently a restroom on the property.  Once baseball season is back in session (I think games start the end of April) they will most likely have a port-a-potty on the property.  The group is also in the process of completing fundraising and approvals for a new concession/restroom facility on the grounds.

One of the great things about this playground (to me) is that (on quiet days) my crawler could be put down and get a chance to play.  The ground is made of rubberized material and I didn’t have to worry about her putting bark chips in her mouth.

There were also areas where she could pull herself up to play and she even enjoyed the new-aged merry-go-round feature.

But there were lots of fun things for the kids to explore here.  Ramps where they could run up and down (which are also, of course, wheel chair accessible).  Things that spinned round and round.  There were slides, music making equipment, stairs, a see-saw thingy.

I know.  I’m being very technical here.  I don’t know the names of any of the pieces of equipment.  I just compare them to things from my childhood.  I should just be quiet and let the pictures do the rest of the talking.

One thing to keep in mind with this playground is that it isn’t fenced-in.  It is surrounded by baseball fields (which of course have fences) but it won’t contain little ones who like to run.  So far for me the playground has been so entertaining for my kids that they haven’t gone on a let’s-run-from-mommy-for-fun spree yet, but it could happen.
You can kind of get an idea of the layout from the picture below.

Also keep in mind that there aren’t trees to shade the area (though the playscape itself does create shaded spots).  But make sure to bring hats, sun block, etc.

There are a few picnic tables in the area if you wanted a playground/lunch combo.

And you may even get a chance to catch a baseball game during your visit.

There is lots of fun to be had at this new play ground in West Hartford.  But, it is thanks to volunteers and donations that the baseball fields, the Miracle League field and the playground exist.  If you go for a visit (or are already a regular) and love it as much as I do, please consider giving a donation to the Miracle League of Connecticut so they can continue to maintain and improve this great athletic complex.

THE MOMSENSE: 

Miracle League Barrier Free Playground

Located at the corner of Trout Brook Drive and Asylum Avenue in West Hartford, Connecticut.  Adjacent to the University of Connecticut’s West Hartford campus.

Get directions here:

Enter your starting address:

 

Playground Features:

  • Barrier free playground designed for kids of all abilities
  • Adjacent parking lot (free parking)
  • A playscape for kids ages 5-12 {Please note, however, that my two-year olds and 8 month old easily enjoyed this playscape as well}
  • Slides, ramps, musical instruments, merry-go-round, climbing equipment and more
  • Picnic areas
  • Port-a-potties (seasonal)
  • Bench (just one)
  • Water fountain (seasonal)
  • Rubber surface
  • Nearby basketball court
Tips & Things to Bring:
  • The rubberized surface is great for crawlers and early walkers
  • The space is not fenced in and is located near a busy road, so just be aware if you have a little one that likes to run
  • Though the playscape is designed for kids ages 5-12, my two-year-olds had no issues on the equipment.  When older kids are playing, though, it would probably not be an ideal destination for the toddler crowd.  Great for the little ones when the older kids are in school, the small space might be challenging for little ones during other times.
  • There are no trees shading the playscape so make sure to bring hats and suntan lotion on sunny days.
  • I expect that when games are in session, this playground is super busy.  Check out the West Hartford Little League schedule before heading out.
  • If you love this playground, help support it by making a donation to the Miracle League of Connecticut.

Want to keep up with all our Out and About Mom adventures?

Check back every Tuesday and Thursday as we dish up more Momsense for getting out and about with your little ones. Don’t have time to check back in? Let us send you an automatic notification of new posts straight to your email inbox by signing up here. Also, you can like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with the latest posts and get some extra tidbits we share only through those sites.