I had a sweet curious reader email me asking me this question, 'where does a child in the city go and play?'. This reader lives somewhere in the burbs and in her neighbourhood there are many possibilities for children to have play time out in the fresh air. So, she was curious if Ben had the same opportunities being the apartment baby that he is.
Well, we do have the same options right here in the heart of the city! Among the city streets and the cement buildings there are; elementary schools, high schools, community centers, corner stores (where the owner recognizes you and gives you a cheery wave) and lots and lots of parks and playgrounds. The difference that I can come up with is that in the city we walk everywhere and car hopping is not part of our daily life. 
Today Ben and his dad went out to our big backyard to play. You know, the big backyard that is actually the two playgrounds right behind our apartment. From our apartment window we can see a huge green space and a playground. So, the two of them got all bundled up for the cold clear sunny day and went out for a fun time of playing and swinging at the park. Even though we are city dwellers we have more than enough opportunities to have fun with outside playtime. Oodles of ideas and places to go that we venture to daily. This is one part of raising a family in the city that I really love.
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Well, Hello There!
Mama in the City since 2008 and blogging since 2009!
My first apartment baby is now a full on boy and we struggle with finding space in our condo for his growing toy collection. I'm also a new mum to our second apartment baby, born January 13, 2012!
I have a husband who is an excellent cook and takes amazing photos. I work as a labor and delivery nurse and really love the work that I do and gave birth to baby #2 at my work place.
I use this space to write about my family and to share my passion about breastfeeding, birth and parenting. I have a fantastic purse collection and have loved watching it grow, mostly lovely gifts over the years from my husband. I currently have a closet full of purses that are too small or impractical to fit a diaper or sippy cup in, and so they are on hold for future years.
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6 comments:
There are no fewer than six children's parks and green spaces within a 15-minute walk!
December 4, 2009 at 7:44 PMWe live in the West End and totally agree that there are tonnes of places to take little ones. I just had someone ask me the same question, commenting that it was so sad that we were raising kids in a small space in the city. However, I think you have to live here to really appreciate how much space there is. After all, you can't beat the seawall for all its parks and play areas.
December 5, 2009 at 7:40 PMI was one of the skeptical when you guys were first talking about staying in the city when you started a family. But now, I can so totally appreciate the freedom you have when the coffee shops, parks, grocery stores and community centers are all within walking distance. And because you walk everywhere, I think you really feel more connected to your community.
December 5, 2009 at 9:12 PMI agree! I have done all the non family friendly activities before I had Ben and now it is
December 5, 2009 at 9:20 PMfun finding out all the different things in the city that are family friendly.
Just a question: do you think you may ever miss being able to let Ben out into the backyard while you get some odd jobs done in the house? As a former city dweller I loved it when Nyla was younger but then at around 2-2 1/2 years old I started to feel like I really wanted "my own yard" for her to play in without having to go down an elevator to get to. I still have very fond memories of all the parks/waterparks and all the community centers Vancouver has to offer!
December 5, 2009 at 11:07 PMGood question Nat! I guess since we have also had a dog the whole time we have lived in the city (even way before Ben) we sort of got used to that whole idea of no quick immediate access to a green space. You actually have to get dressed and go outside vs. just opening a back door. However, when Ben is about 3 I will let you know if it is driving me nuts!
December 6, 2009 at 8:28 AMPost a Comment