by Neil Licht

Created on: June 02, 2009   Last Updated: July 19, 2010

For kids, Boston isn't all downtown.

In Jamaica Plain, something called toddler parks are plentiful. I'll bet you have never heard of this before, yet it's paradise for toddler aged kids.

It's a little pocket park carefully fenced in but easily accessed by parents. In the park, there are sand boxes, climbing and sliding places and lots of large riding toys that parents have donated. Kids can create castles in the sand. They can roll a dump truck down the very low wall that retains the sand and, getting one of the toy front end loader, gather sand and put it into the dump truck. Down the "street" or should I say low flat wall, other toddlers are waiting for the "delivery".

When the truck "arrives" it backs up to a "building site" and dumps the sand. More kids in the sand box shovel the new pile into pails. A few more kids take the pails over to the "building" being "constructed" and pour the sand into "retainer" walls made of wooden slats.

While the Moms and Dads and Grand Parents relax under one of the many trees and talk with other Moms and Dads and Grandparents, the kids, all spontaneously gathering to "play" at construction are enjoying each other's company and learning all about socializing.

Its just another beautiful day in the spring or summer in Boston with the kids but this day is free, relaxing and really fun. Parents and kids can get to know their neighbors and out of town visitors without a single thing to worry about. Everyone "plays" without a care and everyone goes home smiling.

"Hey Mom" a toddler says fairly loudly to his or her Mom, "I'm Hungry". Mom has brought all kinds of goodies and out they come. The other Moms and Dads open their stash of snacks. "Want to share"? they all say and everyone, including the kids, are sharing together. Not even a hint of fighting over a cookie or a crumb, just sharing! Toddlers sharing - its a miracle but it happens all the time in these amazing Toddler Parks in JP.

Over on Central Street, stores selling ice cream and every kind of food you can envision are plentiful and waiting to be visited. It's just a short walk and there they all are ready to entice you and yes, there's plenty of kid friendly meals there as well. Would you like high end ice cream? A snack? Coffee, Indian Food, A giant home made breakfast? Would you like to look at artist made jewelry, sculptures, paintings? Remember, looking and admiring is free and its actually welcomed.

How about sitting down on a bench to rest a little and striking up a conversation with the folks who are also there. It's expected that you will strike up a conversation actually so do so and enjoy it.

Wander down any connecting street. Beautiful old homes are redone and there are gardens, porches, colorful houses and trim, flowers, decorations, even stone walls to walk on everywhere. It's exciting just to turn a corner and see whats new for the season and it's an adventure for the Toddlers as they explore. Finally Tired Toddlers sit in carriages and the sidewalks, so friendly to strolling, unfold as Parents push their kids while the sites surprise and amaze them as they walk.

Jamaica Plain or "JP" as the locals call it is a rare kid friendly find and yes it is actually part of Boston. So Paak the Caa or take the T to near center street and go wandering in JP. It's got treasures like this everywhere.

Now that's a day in Boston that really is Kid and Parent friendly.

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