Adventuring to the park
This double slide’s climbing feature was a fun challenge.
With a playground equipment upgrade at Flax Tot Lot, our family was motivated to bike to a “new” park. And it was a hit with several milestones along the way.
Flax Tot Lot
I only knew about this park since I was on the Town of Rib Mountain Park Commission. But I have to admit, I had to look up the park’s location when I visited the park for the first time this summer. With its proximity of one of the area’s premiere parks, Doepke Park, most people haven’t heard of the Flax Tot Lot, tucked at the end of a dead end road.
I never leave the house without snacks, which helped these girls stay fueled for some big milestones.
Although it’s simple, you will most likely have the park to yourself - perfect during the pandemic as toddlers (mine included) do not grasp the concept of social distancing.
Fun for the whole family
Having the playground to ourselves, when I wasn’t enjoying chasing my children as the “big bad wolf” on the playground, I was able to do several sets of box jumps during our visit.
Another memorable outing on the Trillium Trail.
Although the playground equipment is basic, we had the perfect number of swings and slides - three each. The slide was a hit with a climbing option up the middle that challenged my oldest. Despite my youngest getting a cart ride to and from the park, he made up for it on the playground constantly going up and down the slide. The ABC board was perfect for supplementing 4K curriculum, as long as my toddler could take part in tracing the letters too.
Trillium Trail
We always enjoy any excuse to utilize the area’s newest bike & pedestrian trail, the Trillium Trail. Even though I had been on this trail a half dozen times over the past few days, the bridges, curves, and woods makes this route much preferred over alternative options - not to mention safer than on the roads.
Although it was quiet on the way out, we had plenty of excitement with a mix of walkers, bikers, and even group of rollerskiers to accompany us on our return route.
And we couldn’t finish a ride on the Trillium Trail without stopping at the end to wiggle the pylons and watch the rainwater geyser out!
Milestones
Unbeknownst to me, this ride would have milestones for both our girls. I wish as an adult I could break barriers the way my children do.
1) My younger daughter had learned to ride a pedal bike only a couple of months ago. The pedal motion took months to get down. Although she had the balance from her strider bike, she had no a clue what to do with her legs. Eventually it came, but now we’ve seen the same progression with breaking. After trying to explain braking as many ways as possible, asking big sister to demonstrate, and even manipulating her legs to activate the coaster brakes, nothing seemed to click. Weeks later, we finally had the “Eureka!” moment. Today would be the real test if she could brake on her own…and she passed with flying colors!
2) I always try to be mindful not to push my children too far (literally) on our outings. I would have been pleased if my oldest had plenty of gas in the tank to make it home under her own power without coercing. I was floored when she announced to me she was going to make it all the way back to our house without pushing her bike. To put this bold statement in context, I have seen many adults push their bike up the final hill. Although she stopped a few times along the way (which may have been more to wait for me as she covered the climb much quicker than I!), she had no problem biking all the way home.
I can’t imagine the next adventure.
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