Enjoying the gardens

A pretty well known fact about our beloved Sunnyside is that it is home to one of only two remaining private parks in New York City (the other being Gramercy Park). Created in 1926 as part of the planned community, Sunnyside Gardens Park is a 3-acre spread of land with all kinds of amusements and activities for families in the neighborhood. We were first introduced to this hidden gem last summer when some of the moms in our playgroup joined and invited us to different functions there. Although Elisa wasn't quite ready for it last year, we kept it in mind for this coming summer and I figured we'd check out the recent renovations before making up our minds. The great thing about the park is that it's a huge open space where the kids can really roam around and the people are nice and seem to keep a pretty good eye on their kids. I love our local public playground at Lou Lodati Park, but it can quickly devolve into a free-for-all when the older kids hit the place. So yesterday we went to the official re-opening of the Sunnyside Gardens Park which has been updated with a level ballfield and cleaned up picnic area, as well as some adjustments to the equipment and a soon-to-be redone blacktop for basketball and cruising around on the tricycles and bikes. The park is a treasure trove of donated toys and Elisa quickly found the one she wanted--a covered car, Flintstones-style which meant she ended up dragging her feet if you pushed her around in it.

Jessie and Oliver who couldn't wait to get down and hit the grass.

The neighborhood is so beautiful right now with lots of flowers and the trees are really greening up.

On the ride home, Elisa finally kept her sunhat on for more than 2 seconds.

Membership isn't cheap and I'm not sure I would have thought it was worth it before the renovations they've made to the park over the fall and winter. But seeing the potential and knowing how much we'll need a space like this to be outside and yet close to home, was reason enough to join. So we paid up and now I have to start thinking of ways to complete the 12 hours of volunteer work per family. I know we'll be seeing lots of familiar faces there this summer and part of me feels like this is yet another way to be more in tune with our community and for Elisa to socialize and have some of the summertime fun I used to have in the suburbs. With a wading pool and swingset and all the grass she can stand, I'm hopeful it will be her favorite part of growing up in Sunnyside. A backyard to share with all her friends. Sounds like kid heaven, if you ask me.

Here is a peek at Elisa getting her groove on with a tricycle thanks to a very patient Papa. Bring on the summer!