A Trip to an Old Familiar Place

You know you are a parent of small children when you drive by a familiar playground, notice there is new equipment, actually get excited and look forward to checking it out. That was the case on Saturday when we drove through Liberty, and from the stop light on the corner of Hwy 70 and 127, the new orange and yellow playground equipment at Gateway Park caught my eye. It may not even be new, since it had been quite a while since I had actually driven through my hometown, but it was the first time I had seen that little gem. Right then and there, I decided the boys were going to be treated to a little trip to the park the following day.

I remember the first time I visited Gateway Park. It opened in the mid-80s when I was in elementary school (I am sure that Becky could give me the exact date, time, and probably remembers what we were wearing.), and I remember the first visit being very Disney World-ish to me, a kid who did not get out of Liberty very often. Dad took Becky and I on our maiden voyage of new park exploration. I remember trying to figure out that metal swing that required you to pump your arms in order to make it move. And of course, there was the blue roller slide where the cool kids could actually go down standing up. I am not sure if I ever mastered that skill, but I am sure I tried. Gateway Park sported the first curvy slide in town. There was also that hamster wheel-like contraption that rocked back and forth with monkey bars on top that I have fond memories of, as well as the rocking platform in the middle of the park where many a child was injured and/or trampled on while playing "King of the Mountain." Ahhh... the memories. I spent many a summer day and evening there, playing T-ball, then soft ball, watching whoever I had a crush on at the time play baseball, and then trying to figure out how to play tennis (See, aren't you proud of my early tennis endeavors, honey?), in addition to running amuk on the playground.

The park has changed quite a bit since my last visit years ago. It has probably undergone many facelifts in the seventeen or so odd years since I last played there. Gone are the days of the hamster wheel aparatus, the roller slide, the rocking platform, the funky, confusing little swing, and all of the other equipment on which I played for many hours. I am sure it is much safer these days. The metal equipment has been replaced with hard plastic that makes for fewer leg gashes, I am sure. It sure was fun to revisit, though, and take my little boys to play. Caleb got a big kick out of the fact that I used to play softball there and run around all over the place like he did. "I thought they only let kids play here, mom" was his comment.

The boys had a lot of fun, made a new friend, and Seth got so tired that he actually sat still long enough for us to cuddle on the swing.

Life is good.