Sandpoint, ID

Go on skates
Or go by bike.
Go by foot –
Run, skip, or hike!

Go by scooter!
Go by skis –
Bundle up
So you don’t freeze.

From Go, Dog, Go! By P.D. Eastman

This is often what runs through my mind as I stroll with my young daughter through Travers Park, because at this park you can do exactly all those things! This park is a fantastic resource located right in town, yet it’s a large park (almost 25 acres!) so you don’t feel crowded. We go at all times of the day and we’re usually surprised by how few people are there. But I think that’s just because the people that are there are spread out doing various activities.

The park is mainly a sports park. There are softball and baseball diamonds, soccer and football fields, and tennis courts. Often in the early evenings during the week there are several games going on, whether it’s a children’s t-ball game or an adult softball league. On Saturdays there are usually football or soccer games, depending on the season. I’ve even seen Ultimate Frisbee being played! And the tennis courts…my oh my, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the tennis courts unoccupied. Good thing one can make reservations for the courts!

But don’t let all this talk of sports scare you off, if that’s not your thing. Personally, I don’t do sports. Wait…let me rephrase that: I. Don’t. Do. Sports. So I spend most of my time at Travers walking on the path that runs its perimeter. This paved path is plenty wide and has a very level grade, so pushing a stroller or pulling a wagon is a cinch. We also bike it a lot. The path goes around all of Travers and connects with Centennial Park, which abuts Travers Park (truthfully, I thought it was all one park, but it’s actually two that are joined).

If you follow just the Travers loop, it’s just over a half-mile. Following just the Centennial loop is just under a half-mile. Doing both the loops is eight-tenths of a mile, and following the figure eight that the two loops makes is just under a mile. Did you catch all that? Obviously, there are plenty of options on where to walk, bike, run, skip, or what have you. And in the winter, you can Nordic ski or snowshoe!

When we’re not walking or biking the path, we are usually at the playground located near the tennis courts. There is a swing set (with only one infant swing – bummer!!) and three other regular swings. There is a large jungle gym with three slides, monkey bars, sliding pole, and lots and lots of sand underneath. My daughter loves to swing, so we spend most of our time there.

But wait! There’s more! If sports, walking, biking, and swinging just aren’t your thing, you could visit the Concrete Lake for a little skateboard action – either bring your own board or watch the others battle with gravity.

And if you do happen to be a daredevil on a bike, there are some dirt bike jumps located just off the pathway near the playground. While I don’t know if these are officially sanctioned by the Parks and Rec department, they are there and they do get used a lot. Be sure to wear a helmet!

We love Travers Park, especially because it’s near our neighborhood. We are lucky to have such a great park within walking distance of our home. But there are a couple things I wish for Travers. I wish there were more infant swings on the swingset, and I wish there were more benches located at the actual playground. And it would be nice if there were some water fountains closer to the playground. I also wish people would adhere to the “no dogs”policy (although it seems like people do a pretty good job cleaning up after the pooches). On the plus side, there is a bathroom facility, a covered picnic area (though it’s not very large), benches placed along the path, and lots of garbage cans (this means the park is very clean and well maintained). And the playground is a great place to meet other parents and for the kids to socialize. There are a few shade trees, but most of the park is open and exposed, so be sure to wear sunscreen!

To get to Travers Park, follow Pine Street west to the intersection of Lincoln Ave and Pine St. Proceed straight through (but please stop for the pedestrians in the crosswalk!!) past SWAC and the Lutheran church. The park entrance and parking lot are on the right, just after the church’s parking lot.