Sylvan Park

This is the second park we went to of the day. We drove through the Washburn tunnel and eventually wound up in La Porte. The park is right on Galveston Bay. We saw some large ships in the distance. Over at the boat ramp area there were a number of pelicans just sitting on some posts. The playground area was one of the largest ones I've seen at a park. All the playground equipment were blue and white. I liked the way it blended with the beach colors. The park also has a skate area. There were many kids out with skateboards. Didn't see any of them wipe out. The other main attraction to the park is the fishing pier. You have to pay four dollars to use the pier that includes just walking out. Tickets are purchased at the bait stand. We didn't want to spend eight bucks just to walk out the end of a pier. Right before we left we watched a guy launch a kayak. He had it loaded with fishing equipment etc. All the canoes/kayaks we've seen in the past few weeks makes us want to try this ourselves.

Northshore Park

We stopped off at this park first. We walked around the walking/jogging path at the front of the park. There is a very nice excercise area. They even show exercises that can be used by people in wheelchair. This was the first time I had noticed this. At the back of the park are a couple of baseball diamonds. In the middle is a very nice playground area with the usual types of toys. There is a wide slide allows for three children to slide at a time.

Lamar Park

This was another park we found while looking for the post office. We must have driven around this little park five times. It is just a nicely planted median with some benches. There is a decorative fountain across the street in the middle of an intersection that is also interesting. I'm not sure it is part of the park or not.

09/28/06 According to HPB websiteLamar park was named for Mirabeau B Lamar, 2nd president of the Republic of Texas. This was his former homestead. The fountain is the oldest in in the city

Peggy Park

We were out roaming the city. We were trying to find a post office. As luck would have it Peggy Park was right across the street from the post office. Didn't really look around the park. Just noticed the sidewalks had neat mosaics set in the concrete every so often.

Spotts Park

We went walking around this park. It is located next to a YWCA. Quite a few people were sliding down the hills around the park. There is a very nice walking/jogging path around edge of park with exercise toys scattered along the paths.

Bendwood Park

Bendwood has a very nice walking path. We walked around it twice. I even found a benchmark. The park has a playground area with wooden climbing toys. There are basketball hoops, baseball diamond, benches, and picnic tables scattered throughout the park.

Clear Lake Park

This park is on two sides of Nasa Road 1. We went to both sides. The south side I found more interesting. The pavilion looked to be inspired by the Alamo or at least the Spanish Missions. There is a nice pier and several large playground areas. We walked over to the boat launch and saw several boats using the launches. We watched and hoped to see someone drive their car into the water too far or some other catastrophe. Unfortunately neither happened. At the far end there was an area with wave runners. Apparently you can rent boats. It wasn't open today. Could be closed in the winter or maybe because it is Christmas eve? I think it would be fun to come back in the summer and check this out.

Bay Area Park

This is a little park located next to Armand Bayou. It has a nice playground area. There is a nice boardwalk. The boards appear to be recycled tires. We ate a blueberry breakfast danish while sitting out on the platform. I liked the little gazebos they had all over the park. There was one canoe being launched while we were there.

Christia V. Adair Park

We didn't spend much time in this park. All we did was walk over to the sign from the restroom parking area. We haven't spent much time at this park. We usually go to Tom Bass Park. It is located across the street.