Camp Rivendale

Camp Rivendale is hands-down a GREAT playground! It is friendly to all ages and abilities. This playground is part of the Jenkins Estate land just west of Beaverton on Cooper Mountain.

A summer camp for disabled children is held here during the summer weekdays, but it's open for the general public on weekends all year and weekdays Sept - May. Sometimes the area is also rented on the weekends in the summer months.

Whatever you're looking for in a park, Camp Rivendale likely has it. The rubberized surface is perfect for toddlers, and the ramps and wide staircases are perfect for early climbing. There are swings for babies and big kids, and even the reclining plastic kind that my son seems to slip off of easily.

Every good park needs at least one slide, and this one has a triple slide. It is steep enough to be fun, but easy enough that toddlers can do it on their own.

One feature I haven't seen in any other park is the sway table area. It's named "Sway Fun," and my child happens to agree with that name. Anytime we go to this playground, we spend about half the time on this benched area that slides back and forth as you shift your weight.

There are a variety of ways to climb at Camp Rivendale. There are many sets of stairs for the simple route. There's also a simulated rock-climbing area, and this green pillar of ledges that it great for coordination.

There is a lot of area and variation in the structures, so older kids can exercise their imaginations as well as their bodies. Last time we were there, and could of kids were practicing riding their bikes on the pavement that circles the playground -- another option for older preschoolers and school-age kids.

For practical considerations, there is a fully-plumbed restroom and covered picnic area up the hill from the playground. There are also a new picnic tables in the grass near the play equipment. The large grassy area would also be perfect for a blanket picnic or a place to toss a frisbee.