Parks That Rock: Oakton Park

Adjacent to the Skokie Water Playground is the brand-spanking-new Oakton Park. I was shocked to waltz over there one day back in June, only to find that the previous park had been ripped out and replaced by a totally new playground! At first, I admit to moping and being a totally Morose Mary, because I soooo loved the old park. But it only took about thirty seconds for me to realize just how freaking AWESOME the new playground is.

Here's an article from last year that gives a good overview of the proposed renovations and innovative new stuff, plus a diagram of the park's features. So I bid a fond farewell to our beloved old Oakton Park, and hale a hearty hello to the new Oakton Park. Now if I can only get confirmation on whether the giant dinosaur skeleton buried in the sandbox still exists; how Ayize loved excavating that thing back in the day! I can only hope...

Anyhow, check this bad boy out:

Entering the main part of the playground via a series of ramps.

A fun toddler climbing structure with an awesome slide. The cow and horse to the left of Jeanine make cool sound effects when ridden.

One of several "technological" toys found hidden in the park.

Bongos incorporated into one wall of the playground.

More ramps that meet at this central tunnel juncture; you can also climb upwards for another level of playing fun.

Upstairs. Lots of great interactive toys incorporated into the walls.

Another wacky techno toy. Not sure how it worked but some kids were playing a musical game that made them run around and hit certain buttons to play. They got great exercise and we all enjoyed the cool sound effects and music they produced.

Another view of the main play structure from the other side of the park.

And from the sandbox, looking inwards. There are lots of these fun variations on climbing walls.

Some great slides, too.

The old-school, super-fast, side-by-side, racing metal slides will be sorely missed, but even I have to (grudgingly) admit that although I'll miss the old park, this is a pretty damn impressive replacement!