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PARK NAME: Victory Park
LOCATION: Green and Lynn streets, Urbana
AMENITIES: Victory Park is a 5-acre park with a play structure that was installed in 2006 with the help of the neighborhood association and area businesses. It also features a hanging swing bench, picnic tables under a shelter and grills.
GOOD FOR: Toddlers and up.
AMY’S TAKE: This park is a hop, skip and a jump from both my daughter’s school and our home, so we often hang out there after pick-up. A new discovery for me this year, my kids really like the new play structure. While the equipment is best for kids ages 5 and up, there are areas where the littles can safely play.
My son is a good climber for his age, and he enjoys the bigger slides and bridges at Victory Park. The climbing equipment is compact enough that I can follow him up and down without killing myself in the process. There are a few steep drops at the top, but if you’re agile you can manage a toddler here. Henry especially loves the cone-shaped “cave” that doubles as a rock-climbing wall.
For the bigger kids, Victory Park is great. It’s a small park, so moms and dads can sit on the swinging bench and have a complete view of the entire park. The tire swing is always a big hit, and there’s enough room to run without you having to chase, if you know what I mean.
Victory Park is not great for babies, unless they are content to sit in the stroller or sit on a lap to swing on the bench. There are infant swings available, but that’s about all there is for the littlest ones.
Overall, we love Victory Park and it will be a frequent summer haunt.