Pine Ridge Park

To add to my list of "good" parks around town, I'd like to mention Pine Ridge Park.  It is another, maybe lesser known park that we like to frequent for a number of reasons.  First of all, it is a smaller park and for the most part, contained.  I can easily keep and eye on The Boy, unlike some parks where I am constantly circling the playground trying to keep track of him.  The equipment is nice with some unique pieces and there is also a smaller play set for the littler ones.  The second plus to Pine Ridge Park is that there is hardly ever anyone there.  It is almost always quiet and peaceful with maybe another family or two around.  Thirdly, and one of the best perks to this park in my eyes, would be the double, fenced-in tennis courts!  I can send C in there with a soccer ball and he will run and run from one end to the other for as long as I let him.  I have never seen anyone actually playing tennis in there so I feel like it is fair game!  Even my 14 month old crawler-sometimes-walker loves to cruise around in there.  I guess it's just the big, flat open space that lets them feel so free to run and be wild in that they love.

Pine Ridge Park has benches and a couple of picnic tables.  There are also two horseshoe pits down to the left of the park.  This could be a great park to have a family gathering or birthday party at.  However, make certain that everyone uses the bathroom before they come!  Yes, that's right, this park does NOT have restroom.  This gets me every time!  There is one port-o-potty though, kind of down the hill towards the back of the tennis courts.  Thank goodness for that, but it still doesn't make it any more fun to use:(  The lack of a restroom is definitely a big downfall for this park, but it has so much more to offer that it makes it worth the visit.  Just remember to go before hand!!!

  

Pine Ridge Park is located in the Ridges area of the Redlands, south of town.  This wouldn't be a very convenient stop if you are passing through on I-70.  For those of us who live here, you take Ridges Blvd. south off of Broadway (Hwy 340).  You'll wind your way up to the park for what seems to be about a mile.  There is another park called Duck Pond Park right as you get on Ridges Blvd.  That is not it...keep going!!  You will eventually see Pine Ridge Park on your right hand side.  Click here for Mapquest.