Niemietz Park

Location: 618 FM78 Cibolo, TX 78108

Amenities:Baseball field, Basketball court, Football field, grills, kitchen, meeting room, pavilion, picnic tables, playground, restroom, soccer field, volleyball, walking trails,

Ground cover: wood chips

I have had these pictures on my phone for over a year now.  I really meant to put them up right away. But life happened.  So now I am looking at these pictures of  my child and her friends and remembering how super small they were when we visited Niemietz!  This awesome park is just off 78, but you may not even notice it when you drive by.  We had all been enjoying some coffee at Emily's Place and no one felt like heading back home, so we took a quick drive down the road to Niemietz.  There's a lot going on at this park, but our two year olds were only concerned with the playground. 

Here is the main playscape from a few different angles.  It is very toddler friendly, and partially shaded by a tree. It's probably not very exciting for school aged kids.

There are a few bouncy, ride-on things. 

And these interesting structures to climb.  These were a little too challenging for our group, but look like a lot of fun for kids who are older.

 This part also was a little too challenging for the toddlers, but preschoolers and school aged kids would enjoy rock wall, stepping stones, and the climbing rungs. 

She tried.

There are sling swings, a bucket swing, and one accessible swing.

And a stand alone slide!

This was a really short tunnel to nowhere and I believe there were some drums or something else slightly musical also attached to this part of the playground. 

San Antonio Zoo

 

Location: 3903 N St Mary's St, San Antonio, TX 78212

Amenities: animal exhibits, children's area, carousel, restaurants, train, gift shops

Hours: 9:00-5:00 every day (even holidays!), you can stay in the zoo until 6:00.

Admission: adults $12, children (3-11) $9.50, children 2 and under free (additional discounts available for military, senior citizens, handicapped); memberships available starting at $80.

If I'm being totally honest here, this is not the best zoo I've ever been to.  However, my two year old LOVES it, and I'm glad that we at least have a zoo to go to.  I also really love the free parking! Now that I'm not used to.  There are quite a few animals that we were accustomed to seeing on our zoo trips before moving to San Antonio that just are not in this zoo (giraffes, polar bears, gorillas, chimps, orangutans).  However, there are tons of monkeys, and what more could a toddler really want?  The children's area is also fantastic.   But I'm pretty sure the highlight of our trips is the carousel (she's a bit carousel obsessed).  While I was a bit disappointed on our first trip, I quickly realized that any zoo is better than no zoo, and a membership is definitely worth it.  I also think the area where you can brush goats and pigs is pretty fun, but we don't always go to that part because some days you just don't feel like walking in goat poop (and then hoping everyone's hands are thoroughly cleaned).  So I don't have pictures of that area. A few things to note: you can't bring in food except water and formula/snacks for little ones, and if you decide to get a membership after you've already been, bring in your receipt and they will allow you to subtract what you already paid from your membership.

The train is actually outside of the zoo entrance and is $3.50.  We still haven't ridden it due to someone having developed an inexplicable train phobia...

She seems to have gotten a bit scared of reptiles too so we didn't go in here (thank goodness! Last time she made us look at every snake). 

Mostly we looked at the monkeys.

 I didn't want to just show you pictures of monkeys though, so here you go.

The carousel is $2.50 a ticket.  Adults have to ride with children under 42 inches, but they do not need a ticket for that (this may be a new policy, the time before this they charged us both)

 This is the children's area.  It is very well done. All of the following pictures are from this part of the zoo.

This is a water play area.  There was a sign when we went in saying that it would not be open today (I'm assuming for water conservation)

 Magnetic fishing

 A water bed for those 2 and under

 Nice, cozy reading area, complete with books

 This is a tunnel that I could not get her to go in.  It offers a unique view of the prairie dog exhibit.

 A less scary tunnel

 Play area for babies

 Wonderful pretend play area

Pretend to be a vet.

 There are a few animals in the outside part of the Tot Spot

We definitely did not see all of the zoo that day.  Even though I mentioned it is not the best zoo I've seen, there are a lot of animals, and I don't think I'd be able to see everything in one visit.  The food is pretty good too.  The newest restaurant (by the carousel) has a much wider variety than your typical zoo fare.  However, last time I ate there it was ridiculously crowded, and the prices are higher than elsewhere. 

Schertz Playscape

Location: 629 Westchester Dr. Schertz, TX 78154 (behind the YMCA and library)

Amenities: 3 playscapes, gravel walking trail

Ground cover: woodchips

There is a lot to do for all ages at the Schertz Playscape, and it is often quite crowded. There are three play structures, each designed for different ages.  One is very small and very contained; good for crawlers and young toddlers.  Another is a good challenge for toddlers and preschoolers, and the last is quite tall and has many challenging areas (guess which one my two year old insists on using...).  There are bucket swings, sling swings, accessible swings, and a tire swing.  There are high monkey bars and low ones. This park has it all.  And a merry-go-round (kind of).  One major drawback is there is absolutely no shade, so on a hot summer day, it is pretty brutal. 

The smallest structure is this adorable train.

 This is the medium structure.

 From another angle.

And another.

This is the front of the largest structure.  There are ramps, but I don't think you can access any of the slides from them.  You can, however, get to the rocking boat using the ramps.

 There are some fun things for non-climbers to do.  Many of the sound boards were not working when we visited. 

And this area of the largest structure is a favorite among toddlers.  There are some small slides and a small climbing wall.  Really, most of the largest structure is doable for toddlers, unless you have the type that will walk out off an opening on the platform...

Like this one at the top of the tall rock wall.

 This part of the large structure is a great place for older children, with many things to climb and "leaves" to walk across like stepping stones in the air.

Here are the "big kid" monkey  bars.

 Sling swings and accessible swings

 The accessible merry-go-round (appears to be under construction)

 Tire swing

 A car to climb in, and the shorter monkey bars are in back where you see the tires

Bucket swings.