A Park Slope parents shares her tips for playing in the snow in Prospect Park.
Sledding in Prospect Park
My niece just posted a new photo album on Facebook titled, “I Heart Winter!” Clicking through her pictures brought me back to the winters of my youth and the fun I had playing in the snow. Our elementary school had a big hill and recesses from mid-October to mid-April we drug our sleds up the side of the hill so we could sled down the middle. If the line was short, we could get five good runs in before lining up to go back inside. On days I didn’t want to sled, I’d pack my figure skates and dream of becoming a professional ice dancer while I glided across the rink. I heart winter, too!
Fast forward twenty years. After my first Brooklyn snowfall, I plowed my double-wide city jogger up President Street. I bulldozed through snow burms piled up at the curb cuts, the boys squealing with delight as the snow sprinkled in their faces. We bought a long, green sled at Tarzian Hardware then headed into the park. We took a few runs down a small-ish hill and headed back home with the sled balanced on top of the stroller.
Sometimes I lugged the sled to “pick up” and we headed straight into the park after school let out. On our way back home we would stop by Starbucks for hot cocoa and a cookie.
We always had such a grand time! … Except when we didn’t.
We wouldn’t leave Prospect Park with winter-rosy cheeks singing Frosty the Snowman. We’d leave when the younger boy felt like pins were stabbing into his toes. On the walk home my oldest, upset he didn’t get enough sledding in, blamed his brother for being wimpy and would “accidently” bump his elbow into his brother’s side setting off more crying. By the time I rolled the stroller into the apartment, both boys would be in tears, blaming each other for the ruined day. I’d cozy each boy into a blanket, scoot them to opposite ends of the couch and turn on a DVD until toes warmed and tempers cooled.
They’re older now. I don’t have to come up with extensive snow day ideas; they have plenty of their own. Of course, they still have opposite ideas about what is fun in the snow. The oldest anticipates the snow. He jumps out of bed to shovel, build forts, and stock ammo for an inevitable snow ball fight. The younger appreciates the concept of snow but prefers watching football on a warm, dry couch. Over winter break when the streets were left unplowed for three days, both boys were in heaven. I spent a few hours each day at the park supervising the oldest speed off the jumps made on the hill behind the Picnic House. The younger boy stayed home with Grandpa. That night we watched a movie and no one cried.
So much snow, so little time for little noses and toes
Quick jaunts in the snow
Xtreme Sledding, Slope-style
Long expeditions
The reward
Amber