We had a blast at Orchard Park in northwest Wichita!
It has an unusual baseball diamond covered with a rubber surface. After doing some research, I found that this field is called a "Miracle Field" and it is home to an amazing program for kids with special needs to play baseball. There is a whole league for these kids! Each player has an "angel" who is assigned to help them and sticks by their side during play. To learn more about the Miracle League, go to: http://www.wichita.gov/ParkandRec/Youth/Pages/MiracleLeague.aspx. You can sign up to become a volunteer, coach or sign up your kiddos here. What a great program!!
After checking out the field, we played a bit at the playground. It had a unique rope funnel the kids had fun playing 'spider' and 'prey.' We then cooled off by playing at the pool. The picture of the pool on the Wichita Parks and Rec site features slides, but these have been taken out. The boys were bummed, but we still had a great time. We got to the park just as the 'Summer of Discovery' kids were leaving the pool area. This is something to look into if you're stumped next year when trying to think of something for your kids to do: http://www.wichita.gov/ParkandRec/Camps/Pages/SummerOfDiscovery.aspx
Features:
- Playground Base: Rubber
- Slides
- Skatepark
- Baseball Diamond (for disabled children) "Miracle Field"
- Swimming Pool
- Walking Path
- Tennis Courts
- Basketball Courts
- Restrooms: Yes, inside the rec center and inside the pool facility.
Mom Tips: If you're going to the pool, bring cash as they don't accept other forms of payment. Also, there's not much seating, so bring a towel or seats with you. The lifeguards were kind and attentive when Weston was frozen with fear at the top of the high dive. I would definitely come back!
Kid Tips: "The pool was awesome! I was scared of the high dive but the girls [lifeguards] were nice. Can we stay or come back?" – Weston
Best Quest with Weston & Sully 