Kensington Mini Park

We are the Village Green Preservation Society
God save Donald Duck, Vaudeville and Variety
We are the Desperate Dan Appreciation Society
God save strawberry jam and all the different varieties
Preserving the old ways from being abused
Protecting the new ways for me and for you
What more can we do
We are the Draught Beer Preservation Society
God save Mrs. Mopp and good Old Mother Riley
We are the Custard Pie Appreciation Consortium
God save the George Cross and all those who were awarded them
We are the Sherlock Holmes English Speaking Vernacular
Help save Fu Manchu, Moriarty and Dracula
We are the Office Block Persecution Affinity
God save little shops, china cups and virginity
We are the Skyscraper Condemnation Affiliate
God save tudor houses, antique tables and billiards
Preserving the old ways from being abused
Protecting the new ways for me and for you
What more can we do
God save the Village Green.

- "The Village Green Preservation Society" (Ray Davies)

I wonder what Sir Ray would think of Kensington Mini Park?

Is it anything like the original Kensington? Probably not.

Would he take his grandkids (or great-grandkids) to the playground? Would he wander into the library? Who are his favourite authors? I'm thinking P.G. Wodehouse and Kingsley Amis.

Would he luck out and visit when a band is playing? Probably not, because I think that's a new thing. Adams Avenue Alive was the draw for me, and that's why I'm the Duke.

Oh, hi. I assure you, I don't use that title. Just call me Joe.

Maybe he'd hear a cello player. Maybe he would participate in a group therapy session. Maybe he would sip expensive wine across the street.

"May I join you, Sir Ray?"

Maybe he would pick up the check!

Maybe.

Ok, I WANT to give it 5 stars- but in comparison to other parks and what other parks offer I can't.
But here's the deal- it's not just about the play structure here. It's truly a 5 star back for these reasons:

-gated... moms you know how this is a game changer at a park
-tons of street parking
-lots of shade for hot afternoons
-lots of sand for sand toy play
-attached to a library so easy access to bathrooms and book rental activities
-surrounded by coffee shops and places to eat

So for these reasons, this small, easy to look past park, will always be one of my favorite quick afternoon getaways.

Why it truthfully has 3 stars? It's small. It's dated. And there's not so much to challenge an active child's body.
But it will encourage teaming up with friends, using imaginations and finding new ways to play

I will always love this park

This a very family oriented park. Every time I am in the area, I make an effort to stop by and there are always families about with their children enjoying the playground equipment, parents chatting it up, or individuals reading a book.

The park is quite small so it's not that good for walking unless you like going in circles and such, but you can also walk into the quaint surrounding neighborhood: a neighborhood where it's obvious residents appreciate a well maintained neighborhood.

The park offers substantial shady areas for picnics, a sandy area for the tiny tots, a sturdy play structure, restrooms, and picnic tables. Right on the center, right on Adam's Avenue is the Kensington-Normal Heights Library. It's small but a perfect place to take the little ones while you are at the park or need something to read for yourself while at the park.

I nice park, but I think it's best suited for families and young ones, because they are always running around. Not that there's anything wrong with that!

Tiny little park, but everyone still had a great time. We found this place when returning some library books. The library is directly next to the park, so it made for a nice family outing: ran to the library, played at the park, grabbed some ice cream at the shop a block away (Moosie's), came back to the park to play off the ice cream. There's a Burger Lounge and a Stabucks across the street, I could easily see us integrating those into a future park trip.

The park is all fenced in, so you don't have to constantly worry that your child will end up in the middle of Adams Ave. There is one long bench on the west side, which means the library provides plenty of shade for the parents. The terrain is part sand, part rubber mat. The amount of play equipment is pretty limited. There's only street parking, but we've found a spot both times we've been there.

We will certainly be back. It's a great central location to have a quick break while exploring the rest of the Kensington area.

This is for the park, not the library, I've actually never been inside the library. I take my son to this park quite frequently. I hate the parking situation, the only real (safe) parking is on a cramped little one way street, but that's the city not the library making those decisions, so no loss of stars for that. This is a cute little park across the street from a Starbucks and cafe. It's a gorgeous area to walk through during the day as well if your little one isn't doing well at the park. I do really wish the gates were more secure, my 2 year old learned how to open those many months ago. It's just a push to open, I wish it had some kind of lock on it.

Thankfully, though, the moms here are always friendly...even when my little monster is being, well, a monster.

Here's some details: People think this is a perfect toddler sized park? HMMM equipment is made for bigger bodies ( I would guess best for ages 3 to 6). This is an older park so there are big spaces for little legs in the equipment. My two year old had fun with a little help. The rocking animals are great for smaller toddlers and baby swings as well steep steps/climbing for under 3 yrs of age. Small enclosed area great for younger supervision but older kiddos might not have enough room to play and run.

SUPER friendly neighborhood and tons on restaurants around the corner. Wonderful area with coffee shops, burger joint, french restaurant, and fish restaurant (awesome food - needs more high chairs this area is full of kids!).

Excellent park for toddlers, and I have to disagree with previous reviewers about the age range, because my 6 year old still loves coming here at any chance. Also, there are always teenagers on the swings on holidays and late afternoons. Who says you have to be under 3 to enjoy the swings!??? I love that it is adjacent to the library and has coordinated events every week! There is a field on the other side of the library where there are Mommy and Me yoga classes and free summer concerts by Hullabaloo and other performers. It's part of what makes Kensington so great.

The park is kept very well, if you come early enough in the morning, there's a crew that takes out the trash, cleans and actually rakes the sand! It looks like a Japanese rock garden first thing in the morning with all those beautiful rake lines! I also like the safety aspect of having a fence that mostly encircles the park, to prevent the little ones from running off so easily. It's not gated, but I prefer that, because it's annoying to walk all the way around to a single gate when you have your arms full with a screaming toddler and a stroller and a dog and a load of library books.

This may be a small park, just 2 big kid and 2 baby swings, but it also is one of the most well-shaded parks due to the old pine trees! So great during the heat of summer! Who cares if there are 8 swings if your baby has to get sunburned to ride?

Also great because there's easy access to affordable healthy snacks at multiple venues - Clem's has great deli sandwiches, Burger Lounge has grass-fed beef burgers, Wild Alaskan Salmon burgers and even veggie Quinoa burgers and salads. For lighter stuff, there's Starbucks and Kensington Cafe.

There are bike racks on site and handicap ramps as well.

Great park for ages 6 months - 6 years. It's adjacent to the library and there is a grass area on the opposite side.

Tiny little park with a playground that's pretty comparable to larger parks.

Pretty standard playground equipment:
Large play structure housing tic-tac-toe, steering wheel. Long steps for toddlers, steep steps for 2ish+ and arched ladder for 3ish+
3 slides - small, medium (side-by-side for racing) and large curly
4 swings - 2 baby, 2 low, big kid swings (14" off ground)
3 springy rocking thingies, good and flexy

The playground is not nearly as good as Pepper Grove playground in Balboa Park, but comparable to the others there.

There's nowhere to run around, play catch, etc, but if you think of it like a fast food play place (Burger Lounge and a Starbucks across the street) it's a winner.

This playground is perfect for younger children and semi- older children as well. It is mostly on Astro- turf with sand surrounding some of it, it is fenced in, and it's in a nice area with a library next door. There is plenty of seating with a wooden bench along the library and a concrete picnic table.