With the rising price of gas, many families are thinking twice before hopping in a car to drive somewhere. Public transportation is a cost-effective way to get out of the house with the kids without worrying about the distance, whether the vehicle has enough fuel, or avoiding times when traffic may be horrible. In this post, as part of our travel blog tips, we’ll explore how community playgrounds near transit spots make family outings easier.
Taking a public bus or train to a family-oriented park or playground is a great option that may be even more enjoyable than taking the car. Walking to and from the train platform or bus stop offers built-in movement and increased physical activity. It’s also a moment to bond as a family. Besides singing along to yet another Bluey song on the radio, parents have a chance to build memories together during outings that involve public transit. They’ll be more readily available to chat with them, pointing out different sights along the way. Children will also get a better sense of the community, really taking in what’s around them, which they otherwise wouldn’t be able to see from a car window.
In addition to these benefits, taking public transit can also be an easier solution for families. Read on to find out why.
Our Experience
We recently put this theory to the test by hopping on the F train and getting off at the York Street station, allowing us a quick, stroller-friendly walk right into Brooklyn Bridge Park. Avoiding the nightmare of DUMBO parking and weekend traffic made the short subway ride feel like a hidden gem itself, instantly setting a relaxed, positive tone for our whole family outing.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
The Convenience Factor
Raise your hand if your child detests the car seat? While they’re important for safety, children often protest when they have to get into the car, tightly secured with a buckle and strap. On top of a wailing kid in the backseat, the amount of energy it takes to load the car with snacks, extra clothes, toys, and other necessities is enough reason to stay close to home instead. Community playgrounds near public transportation, however, make the trip less stressful for everyone.
Being car-free takes a lot of the logistics out of the equation. There’s no need to drive around the block searching for parking when a public bus or train can take you right to your destination. You don’t need to worry about your child protesting the car seat because you can simply take them by the hand or load them into the stroller. And because public transit runs smoothly, you don’t need to fret if there is a slowdown on the freeway or an accident causing bumper-to-bumper traffic. You can arrive at the community playground within a reasonable amount of time, regardless of the day or hour.
Our Experience
A recent trip to the Ancient Playground in Central Park, right off the 6 train at 77th Street, was a breeze. Instead of battling East Side traffic and expensive garage parking, the quick subway hop meant we were throwing sand and scaling the pyramids within 20 minutes of leaving our apartment.
Watch this video to get a glimpse:
A Centralized Family-Friendly Activity
Another benefit of having park playground equipment near public transit is that it helps with planning the day. Searching for kid-friendly activities to entertain your children during the weekends can be exhausting. However, when the park is the destination, you don’t need to think about what else you need to plan. The itinerary for Saturday can be to go to the park, and the journey is part of the excursion.
When a car is involved, you may be trying to best plan your route to accomplish the most within the day. You may fill your trunk with items to return to a retail store, pack reusable bags to pick up a few things for dinner at the grocery store, or even stop mid-route and fill the car with gas. Mixing errands into the day may feel productive, but it can take away time from being with your kids. When you’re relying on a bus or train route, you’re less likely to worry about other errands and instead concentrate on the family-friendly activity of visiting the community playground.
Our Experience
Our whole Saturday revolved around the waterfront play area at Gantry Plaza State Park in Long Island City, easily accessible via the 7 train to Vernon Blvd-Jackson Ave. We just focused on the playground—no side errands, no trunk-loading—making the park the pure, unadulterated focus of our whole day.
Watch this video to learn more:
Dedicated Screen-Free Time
If the only way to get your child into a car is to entice them with a screen or device, know that you’re not alone. Many parents depend on technology to entertain their children while they’re in the front seat driving. However, if going to the park via a public bus or train is part of the activity, then children will be less reliant on having a phone or tablet to play with. Instead, they’ll be more engaged in taking in their surroundings, listening to people on the train, or waving hello to the bus driver.
Giving children a device to play with can be a boon, but it can have detrimental effects. Prolonged screen exposure can lead to fatigue, irritability, insomnia, and anxiety. Kids aren’t able to self-regulate their time on a screen, meaning they’ll quickly become addicted if they’re given ample device time. If parents put away their phones and tablets during a family outing, children will be less enticed to ask for one.
Our Experience
The ride out to Domino Park in Williamsburg (right near the L train’s Bedford Avenue stop) became an impromptu lesson in urban geography. Instead of asking for a tablet, our little one was counting the stops and pointing out street art, making the transit part of the interactive, screen-free fun.
Watch this:
A Community Building Opportunity
Lastly, having a playground near a bus or train station can promote community development. Playgrounds serve as community hubs, central places for families to gather. A park conveniently located near public transportation makes it easier for local families to meet. Parents and caregivers may connect with other families nearby, forming bonds and relationships. These connections can grow stronger over time through playground visits, eventually leading to lasting friendships.
Our Experience
We made a new friend at the Vanderbilt Playground in Prospect Park, just a short walk from the F/G at the 15th Street-Prospect Park station. The easy transit access meant both of our families, living in different parts of Brooklyn, could reliably meet there every Sunday, building a wonderful, lasting neighborhood connection.
Watch this video to learn more:
If the new friend says they’ll be at the playground at the same time next week, the parent may have an incentive to continue visiting the same park. Having this type of commitment can be beneficial to the parents and the kids, creating a sense of structure and routine to their week. A community playground near transit is also an incredible way to meet those outside of one’s immediate social circle. Children may have a chance to interact with peers from different backgrounds and experiences, thereby promoting inclusivity.
