OUT-OF-TOWN SWINGS: Miklatún Park, Reykjavik, Iceland

So this Seattle Swinger spent his Thanksgiving 2010 in Iceland. And you can bet he found some swings. Check it out:

Location: Langahli∂ & Miklabraut, Reykjavik
Number of swings: 1 regular, 1 tire; 1 zipline
Ground material: Pebbles
Chain length: Medium.

Oh my, Reykjavik. Sleepy little Reykjavik. This park is where you'll find the Kjarvalssta∂ir branch of the Reykjavik Art Museum. The park is pretty big, and although I visited in the winter, I imagine the greenspace is beautiful during the warmer season. There are many walking trails through the park, and one of these trails leads past a sad-looking skateboard ramp towards a little playground.


The swing is pretty good! The chains are covered in hose material (to provide comfort?). If you jump off the swing, your landing is softened by pebbles. This was a happy little pit stop for me on my way to hiking up the next hill to check out the Perlan.


Oh look! A zipline! This zipline, due to its tilt, outperforms all ziplines in Seattle, although it is nearly identical physically. Fun times.

OUT-OF-TOWN SWINGS: Whitney Elementary, Yakima, WA

I was visiting my mom in Yakima recently. Over the years of visits like these, I've noticed that many of the schools in Yakima have swingsets. There was a weird exodus of swingsets from schools everywhere else at one point, not sure why, it's not like they're ever unsafe or anything... and yet the swings in Yakima schools remain intact. Right now the children are on summer vacation, so the general public can with less worry enter this space for general recreation.

Location: 4411 West Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima, WA 98908
Number of swings: 6 medium-length, 4 long.
Ground material: Pebbles
Chain length: medium/long.



Oh so much sky to see while swinging in Yakima. The long-chain swings looked awesome, for they are slightly longer than average, but they did not feel very safe. The chains are too close to the bar of the swingset, and every pendulum swing results in a click-clack moving motion of the swing attachment. Unnerving. Hopefully they will fix that.

OUT-OF-TOWN SWINGS: Don Morse Memorial Park, Chelan, WA

Don Morse Memorial Park, also known as the "City Park," is the main park in the small town of Chelan, WA, where I spent my childhood, ages 3-18. Right now I happen to be visiting family for the holidays, and I thought I'd document some swings from my hometown. Apparently Google Maps calls it "Lakeshore Park," which is the name of the adjacent RV camping park. Notice how there isn't much snow here right now... so odd.

Location: Highway 150 & W Nixon Ave, Chelan, WA 98816.
Number of swings: 4 regular, 4 baby buckets
Ground material: Wood chips
Chain length: Medium, Medium-long.


As you can see, these swings seem to be a variety of heights off the ground. I'm not sure if this is intentional or not, but I like the variety. The swing lowest to the ground is a good compromise of medium-long length: long enough to reach nice heights, but short enough for the chains to stay tight and not buckle so much on the return swing. The higher-off-the-ground swings are actually high enough to allow my feet to dangle and not smack the ground at any point of the swinging experience.


These are not the swings I swung on in childhood; this playground has undergone quite a few transformations over the past 20 years or so. Back in elementary school, I lived across the street from this park on Gibson Ave., and the swings had super long chains; these are the swings that set into motion the exciting life of a "Seattle Swinger." A giant robot slide also once lived here; it was eventually deemed unsafe and removed from the park. Those swings were probably what sparked the swing-o-philia of my adulthood, and I greatly prefer [the memory of] them to the swings that currently stand. However, the current swings are still atop a hill, presenting a beautiful lake and mountain view for the swinger.


How to get there: First get to Chelan. Link Transit bus routes #21, 31 and trolley route #34 stop along Chelan-Manson Highway (SR-150) next to the park, but most people in Chelan would probably drive. Or you could even walk, this town is really small.

LOCAL LINKS:
*City of Chelan webpage on Don Morse Memorial Park
*GoLakeChelan, a community blog

OUT-OF-TOWN SWINGS: Minnehana Park, Minneapolis (Guest Entry)

Today's post is a guest entry from my good friend, Doug, who lives in Minneapolis, MN. Doug is a swing enthusiast as well, and when we attended UW together, we had many a swing adventure, planting the seeds of this very swing blog.
So enjoy the guest entry, it is my hope to occasionally show you, my dear Seattle Swingers, the beauty of out-of-town swings. Oh, and for the record, I have indeed swung on these swings, back in September 2008 when I was in Minneapolis visiting Doug and attending another good friend's wedding.

(post written and photographed by Doug)
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In my (limited) explorations of Twin Cities parks so far, this one easily stands out as having both the best swings and the best swinging experience. The swings themselves are great fun, though I wish the chains were a bit longer. The chain length (which seems to be endemic to parks here from what I have seen) prevent you from getting up too high, but it's a smooth if sometimes squeaky ride with a terrific overview of the park grounds. The park itself is easily my favorite in Minneapolis, though. So: well-above average (but not perfect) swings + incredible park combined make this a must-visit spot if you find yourself in Minneapolis. Notice the many lovely oak trees. They are beautiful in all the four seasons.


Of course another highlight of the park is the waterfall, currently ensconced in icicles. There is also a system of trails leading to the Mississippi River. Come here with friends for some lovely swings, and then take a short hike. If you come here at the right times you can be sure to avoid too many people as well. Winter apparently scares plenty of people off since I was there on a Saturday afternoon and the place was practically deserted.


Location: 4801 S. Minnehaha Park Dr. Minneapolis, MN 55417
Number of swings: 5 regular (bring a group!), 2 baby buckets
Ground Material: Sand or snow depending on time of year
Chain Length: Medium


How to get there: Once in Minneapolis, the Hiawatha Line light rail (route #55) stops right by the park.
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