Los Duranes Park

The Good: Newish play structures, the large one has several levels. Five acres total real estate. Two big kid slides, one small. A cool swirly platform thingamajig that the oldest kids seem to love even more than those it was designed to entertain. Bucket swings and regular size swings. Wood chips rather than sand, important in the hot summer. A covered picnic area for lunch and/or spent parents. Immense grassy field, perfect for soccer/ultimate Frisbee/kickball (no baseball diamond, however).The Bad: Not well cared for or maintained. We usually find trash lying around, some of it sketch-o, and while I'd love to put all of the blame on shifty patrons, I'm beginning to think the city isn't investing enough to keep it clean. No shade on the playground-not unusual. The metal scooper sitting device (which gets its own sandbox for no obvious reason) is often broken. No lighting after dark. Rather limited bucket swing diameter. Over-soaking sprinkler system sometimes breeds mosquitoes by the swarmful. Trees line the perimeter but they're pesky, a serious waste of shade opportunity.The Verdict: With a new Community Center coming next Fall, expect a resurgence of activity on the grounds and in the 'hood which should translate to more of a deterrence for the shady types, and more kids on the scene. Decent, but not great park for families, and avoid during the heat of the summer.