Hyder Park

We walked our dogs around this park for about 1.5 hours (in the shade) before heading to the airport. I loved that there were so many shady trees. And about 10 minutes to the airport too

I write a lot of reviews about parks. When I started Yelping, I was a full-time dad with the best job on the planet: my daughter was one, going on two, and I was her chauffeur to the universe, that all-enveloping, extraordinary, terrifying, delightful thing we call Life. I was also pretty connected to this thing we call the Internet. It was the rabbit I pulled out of my hat, that trick up my sleeve that unveiled local joy. Truth told, I'd lived in the Duke City the better part of 15 years and I honestly didn't think the place had much to offer either of us. And I didn't find much on Yelp, either.What followed, during that year with my daughter, were endless reviews of places I found as I toted her around the city on my bike, with the occasional drive to the Balloon Museum, indoor soccer field or hiking trail. I reviewed all of 'em with abandon. I felt like I had an obligation, as a parent, to share what we experienced. (You can find many of these reviews on my Lists, specifically "Kids Rule the 505" and "Kiddo Files: Parks".) It's a tough gig, the ol' full-time parent thing, we're always looking for something to do that doesn't involve a television screen. Yelp was, and continues to be, my best resource for parents. I know I'm late in the game discovering Hyder Park, but it's my favorite new locale on Tuesday nights. The irony is thick. In this supposedly inter-connected digital landscape, this little slice of green grass and towering trees (ooh! tall shady things!) crafts something we call Community. Food trucks, music and people. It's that simple, and the place is a blast. Beginning at about 4pm, the white folk descend in droves. (They're really open-minded and indiscriminate, promise.) The good times roll until around 8pm. Kids run wild, parents connect and take a load off, and if only for a few hours, this city looks a little like Portland. And it's free! (Including the yoga, 5-6pm. Don't think I'll be partaking in that there stretchy stuff, though.) Don't let the white people thing scare you off. Grab your calendar, virtual or paper, and pencil in Hyder Park as your Tuesday night place-to-be. It's glorious.

How is that I have never heard of Tasty Tuesday or Hyder Park? Hyder park is is a gorgeous park with lush green grass and tall trees. It doesn't have a playground or any amenities but it's a great place to hang out with family and friends. On every Tuesday (starting in the Spring and ending in the Fall), they have Tasty Tuesday where there are food trucks, yoga, and other family fun adventures. I went to go check it out tonight, but the rain kept most people away. I still had a pleasant time strolling around the park. And now I still have something to look forward too!

Yelp prompted me for a review of Hyder Park. My review is really of Tasty Tuesdays at Hyder park. I think the Supper Truck will give you a lot more info as they seem to be the big driver of this phenomenon. I saw about 75-100 families all congregating here with picanic blankets. The kids would run around and play and we'd wait in line at the trucks for food. It was an unusual yet cool scene. I don't know a lot of people and I knew about 7 people which means you probably would have known about 20. As for the park itself. It is great, quiet secluded in a nice neighborhood. Nothing but grass and trees, no amenities. Zen, tranquil, and inundated with hip young urbanite famsters on Tuesdays.

Fun park! A great place to hang out with friends and enjoy an afternoon or evening!