Playground Review - Jamestown, MA

Jamestown Community Playground, RI

Teacher, Mom, and 3 Boys (under 7) Rating:   * * * * (out of 4)

Note:  Although I'm currently a preschool teacher and no longer a nanny, I still love all things early childhood!  This means taking field trips with my friend and her three young boys (Ages 7, 5, and 4)  and sharing our findings with others.  We especially love free and low-cost outings, so playgrounds are at the top of our list!  When we find ice-cream or other treats nearby, we include that information as well.  

The newly updated Jamestown playground still has that fresh mulch smell and is attactive, clean and spacious!  The pathways are made of compressed rubber and have a nice cushiony bounce as you walk.  The playground is located directly behind the town library (directions below), which might be an additional little stop if you have the time.  

New Mulch and Rubber Pathways at Jamestown Community Playground, RI

Pros:

Two large themed structures are the first things you notice as you approach the white picketed fence playground:  

• Spaceship area and Pirate ship area with multiple covered slides and stairs to climb:  

Climber and Space Ship area at Jamestown Community Playground, RI

Pirate Ship area at the Jamestown Community Playground, RI

You'll also find:  

• Climber: a large netted pyramid-shaped climber between the two.  

• Swings:  a row of swings (including an adapted/safety swing) for children and infants

• Zipline with platforms on both sides and a disc seat attached to a thick rope.  THIS was one of the most popular attractions at the Jamestown playground.  Parental intervention was needed at times to make sure children in line received a turn!  (There is no close-up photo of the zipline, but it is along the back fence in the photo below.)

Swings and Zipline at the Jamestown Community Playground, RI

Bonuses:  

• Fenced in along street/parking areas and latched gate. Children can run around and have fun, but they can't run away faster than you can catch them.

• About three picnic tables and a small grassy area to put down a blanket.  At this stage, there are no benches, which might be a nice future addition.  

Our three boys played for three hours straight before they started getting hungry and realized it was about an hour past their usual dinner time!

Cons: 

Other than swings, there isn't much here for infants or toddlers.  We taked to some grandparents with their one-year-old, and they were disappointed that there wasn't something more her size or speed.



Town Webpage:  Jamestown Parks and Recreation - Community Playground

Location/Map:  Jamestown Library at 26 North Road - Playground behind

Nearby Ice Cream can be found at Spinnaker's, located in the beautiful Ferry Wharf area where the Jamestown Ferry launches.  There are a few outside tables adjacent to a parking lot, and they offer basic food fare for children and adults (nothing to write home about), but the ice cream was a hit. 

Spinnaker's Cafe, 3 Ferry Wharf, Jamestown, RI

 There's also a small beach a few steps away from the wharf for walking, boat watching, and shell hunting.

Beach Near Ferry Wharf, Jamestown, RI 

View of the Newport Bridge from Beach Near Ferry Wharf, Jamestown, RI