Riverside Press Park (Cambridge)

On the Cambridge side of the Cambridge Street Bridge – and across the street from a truly enormous Whole Foods – Riverside Press Park includes a playground with swings and an extensive climbing structure, tennis and basketball courts, and the below rock structure whose purpose I could not quite determine (anyone more knowledgeable, please weigh in!)

Alberico Park (Cambridge)

Alberico Park is a  small, pretty playground that follows a path winding between Putnam Avenue and Pleasant St. It features a flat white area, a fun wooden ship-like climbing structure (a bit too difficult for my 2-year-old), two swings, and – the main attractions for all the toddlers on the morning I was there – a slide and rock staircase set into a hill.

Update: Thanks to a helpful reader, I have discovered that the white area is an "all weather" ice-skating rink! Some more detail here : http://www.cctvcambridge.org/CambridgeportParks

Dana Park (Cambridge)

The main attraction at Dana Park is unquestionably its in-ground sprinklers, which automatically vary in height & direction once they're turned on. At their highest, the water shoots well above adult height - next time we come here on a hot summer day, I intend to wear more water-friendly clothes and run through it myself.

The playground itself, which forms a fully-enclosed semi-circle around the sprinkler, has two fun climbing structures – one for toddlers, one for older kids – baby and kid swings, a well-stocked sandbox, and a cool, complicated-looking see-saw. There are also lots of riding toys, a basketball court, and a large grassy area/dog park.

 (Plus really cool drainage covers, which I couldn't resist taking a picture of....)

Old Morse Park (Cambridge)

I know, I know; it’s in CAMBRIDGE! Across a RIVER! Living in Brookline, I fully understand the mental hurdle. But this awesome playground, which is just a short jaunt over the BU Bridge, is well worth overcoming it. The climbing structure is made of a combination of black bouncy material and rope webbing, there’s a metal slidey-ish thing going down a hill, plus a variety of newfangled sorts of swings. Different and fun. The only downside is that the combination of little shade plus everything being black can make it hot to the touch, which made things a little difficult for my kids at noon on a mid-80s day, but was not insurmountable. There was also what seemed to be a sprinkler area (not working the day we were there), plus a basketball court and some stone ping pong tables.

I was telling some friends about this playground, and they asked me if students from MIT had a hand in its design. I don't know, but it wouldn't surprise me.

Monmouth Street Park

Monmouth Street Park is a tiny playground right next door to the Brookline Arts Center. It consists of a single fire truck-themed play structure, a grassy area, and a low stone wall for walking on (probably not its official purpose). Despite its small size, the fire truck structure was a huge hit with all my kids, from the 6-year-old to the 2-year-old – but after less than half an hour, they were done. Best to bring chalk, jump rope, balls, etc. if you're planning a long visit.

Mother's Rest

Mother's Rest, in the Fenway, is a fully-enclosed oval playground with innovative, music-themed play equipment and structures (the natural incline to the small stage was a particular favorite with my kids). It looks small at first glance, but there was enough here to keep my kids occupied for two hours, and they keep asking to go back. As a bonus, there is a great view of the Fens and even the occasional flock of geese flying by.

Penniman Road Play Area

We passed the Penniman Road Playground on the way back from the Artesani Wading Pool; my daughter was very taken with the acqua and lavender structures, and insisted we stop for a visit. This is a nice, small, pretty playground, with two climbing structures, a row of swings, and a basketball court right next to it.