I used to live near to the Central District while in college and back then it really wasnt a place to hang out. It was the worst part of Seattle. I used to go jogging in an area that backed up to the Central District and I will never forget the time that I got lost and ended up jogging in that unfamiliar area of town. It is so crazy to be running down a tree lined street in Madison Park one minute and then passing by delapidated houses with bars on the windows the next. As time has come and gone, the CD has transformed a little bit. It is still an area that I dont know my way around nor do I spend too much time there, but today when I found a splash park online that was located on 20th and Yesler, I paused and then thought, what the heck, I will see what it is like. Pratt Park has been written about in a few parenting publications as a decent place to go, so I trusted that and packed the kids and headed there. It was a nice park with a great splash area and nice and new play structures. what I loved was the old school jungle gym, just like what I played on as a kid. We spent a good 2 hours here, between the play structures and dodging the water spouts.
I was also thrilled to see a coffee option across the street! Soho Coffee Company serves Stumptown and the guy behind the counter was quite friendly and helpful. I told him that my son was crushed as we just missed the ice cream truck and he offered up a suggestion for a minimart just down the street. phew. crises averted. now, I get my iced latte and Z, his ice cream sammy. a pretty good treat, all around.
