There are two large playsets at Shorefront Park, one made for toddlers and another for ages five to twelve. The larger one (above) features three slides, a chain bridge and a number of climbing opportunities. There is also a hang glider and two sets of monkey bars.

The smaller playset is mostly a slide platform, with a corkscrew, double slide and a steeper curved slide all dropping out from one pavilion. The platform also features a steering wheel that faces the water, a great spot for kids to pretend they're driving a boat. There is a chain bridge on this set with a unique feature: the lowest point of the bridge touches the ground. This way, smaller kids who can make the trip down to the center but not back up again can simply walk off on their own.

The waterfront location of Shorefront Park makes for a scenic visit, but it has definitely taken its toll on the playground equipment. You'll find a lot of peeling paint and rusted sections on the playsets. The bridges and platforms are all made of metal. The plastic slides seem to endure the punishment nicely.

The play surface is a soft composite, but it's only present around the immediate area of the playsets. Otherwise, the playground is surrounded by asphalt. To complicate matters, the edging of the composite is nearly the same color and texture as the pavement, which caused a number of falls during our visit.

The swingset offers both standard and toddler swings over a soft sandpit.  There was one standard swing that was missing during our visit, and there are only two toddler swings. The chains are bare but the swings are in good shape. Again, the price of the waterfront location is visible in the peeling paint.

The location does have its advantages, though. This is a very nice spot to spend an afternoon, and kids will enjoy watching the boats and ferries go back and forth. There is a snack bar open during the summer just across Ocean Avenue on the other side of the parking lot.  The lot itself is large and paved, although the pavement is not in great shape and the are no marked spots. It's a bit of walk from the parking lot to the playground, but there's a nice path and lots of grass.

Shorefront Park

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