Brookline, MA playgrounds
 

Hello!
We'll be in Brookline, MA (husband and 2 kids ages 8 and 6) next month and looking for playgrounds in the area as well as kid-friendly restaurants. Any ideas would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Cindy

Brookline is rather large - it may be helpful if you tell us the location you're staying.

Here's Town of Brookline website with playground listed: http://www.brooklinema.gov/index.php...699&Itemid=993

Check out Dean Park on Dean Road(?)

We're not staying in Brookline but we'll be in the Harvard Street area for part of a day.

There is a big playground at Devotion School on Harvard Street right next to Zaftig's in Coolidge Corner. You will see that there are lots of others, but that is very convenient as the others are all off Harvard.

Many thanks for all of the replies!

And Zaftig's is a child-friendly restaurant.

There are a lot of restaurants in Coolidge Corner (where you'll be) and they are all family friendly for the most part. Coolidge Corner is one of the main areas of Brookline, and definitely the busiest, with lots of shops, restaurants and things to do. There are tons of playgrounds, Devotion School is as good as any.

You are all so helpful! I will be doing a yoga class at Baptiste Power Yoga and hubby and kids as well as a couple of cousins, an aunt and uncle will be looking for things to do so thank you for all of the suggestions!

Actually that yoga studio is in Brookline Village and not that near Coolidge Corner. I think the Pierce School Playground will be the closest park and there are a number of restaurants in the area. Cutty's is a new one that serves lunch and breakfast. I've read about it on chowhound recently. There is also a Baja Betty's, a burrito place.

One thing you might keep in mind is that you'll be near the Brookline Public Library. If the weather is not conducive to playground time, the library is a great place to go with the children and browse around.

The walk from the Village to Coolidge Corner is only 10 min or so, you'll still be close to a number of things. The Library is a good idea if the weather doesn't cooperate.

The Pierce School playground isn't that large, the High School is not far away and has basketball courts. There is also a playground on Davis St that has a pirate ship, although your kids might be too old to be interested.

Cutty's is supposed to be good. Brookline Family Restaurant is nearby and also good. There's the Smokehouse if you like bbq. I can't recommend Baja Betty's, I think they have the worst burritos in the city. Anna's Taqueria and Boca Grande are much better. For more authentic Mexican, there's Dorado Taco.

Keep in miind that some/most schools restrict their playground use by outsiders to school kids for recess during school hours - or if they don't there may be a pack of kids there. Unless you are going to be here the week after the 3rd Monday in April - that is public school vacation week for almost every school in MA.

If you are in Brookline Village, the Family Restaurant is in the first block of Washington Street, looks like a pizza joint, and serves delicious Turkish foods. At lunch you order at the register and pick up at a counter; there is waitress service in the evening. They have a steam table that is incredibly cheap but looks unappetizing, though I have not tried anything so I could be wrong. BUT the pastries and the freshly prepared foods are delicious, and they have hamburgers etc for kids. Big portions. An appetizer or salad and an entree will serve two easily, and I am a big eater.

You won't have a problem using the playgrounds mentioned even during school hours. I live in the neighborhood so I'm familiar with the various playgrounds, etc.