Tag Archive for: sand volleyball

Alum Creek Park

Find fun playground, sand volleyball, charcoal grills

Some of my favorite memories of childhood involve impromptu outings to neighborhood parks with my brothers and sisters.

As teenagers, my older siblings were surprisingly adept at selecting fun places for us to visit. They often packed a picnic of hotdogs and hamburgers that they’d cook on the charcoal grills that dotted the landscape in the 1970s.

Recently seeing several charcoal grills alongside a picnic shelter at Alum Creek Park in Westerville brought back this fond memory. It made me want to return to revive the park picnic in the near future with my family.

On this day, however, I was content enough to appreciate all the park’s other fine offerings, including a sand volleyball court, ball diamond and basketball court that’s lit up at night.

[wowslider id=”12″]

My young children enjoyed the plentiful playground equipment with uncommon features such as a climbable train donned up in primary colors, and a spinning contraption that allowed them to rotate in a circle while hanging by their arms. “Again, again!”

Operated by Westerville Parks and Recreation, Alum Creek Park is situated on 12 tree-filled acres alongside Alum Creek at 221 W. Main St. It’s home to many events throughout the year, including a free summer concert series that gives center stage to the domed-shaped amphitheater with its natural, stadium-style seating.

The park also offers a nearby bike path, canoe launch and clean restrooms – a must for families with young children.

For more information, visit www.westerville.org.

/by

Rule 3

Entertainment complex offers bowling and gourmet grub

When my husband and I decided to take our two young children bowling, I was prepared for the idea to strike out.

After all, we sometimes have trouble holding the attention of our 2-year-old and 4-year-old when they try new things. But at Rule 3 in Pickerington, we ended up having a ball, with some adult fun to spare.

Rule 3 is an entertainment complex in a quiet suburb 20 minutes east of Columbus that offers bowling, mini bowling, billiards and darts, as well as outdoor sand volleyball in the summertime.

It also has a large arcade and a sit-down restaurant that serves fancy grub such as strawberry pecan salad, garlicky calamari and Ohio bratwurst. Kids meals include the standard mac and cheese, chicken tenders and cheeseburgers.

“We offer something for everybody,” said events coordinator Blaire Ramey. “Mom and dad can have a draft beer at the sports bar while the kids play.”

Opened in 2009, the business abides by three rules (hence the name): “Play hard. Play happy. Play here.”

We didn’t break any of the rules, for the most part. It’s hard to keep a toddler “happy” all the time.

We arrived one early Friday afternoon and easily got a lane. Costs range from $12-$30 an hour per lane, depending on day and time. If you don’t finish your game in an hour, you pay more to play.

The scores are kept automatically, although my husband noticed a couple of times when the scoring was inaccurate. Rule 3’s bowling alleys are well-rigged for families, though, with gutter guards that pop out when a young player’s turn comes up and a common-sense approach to choosing your bowling balls based on color.

There are 18 lanes, four of which are in a swanky private room and can be reserved for $160 an hour. The cost includes unlimited bowling for up to 24 people.

One hour of bowling was sufficient for our family, as our kids became more interested in venturing into the arcade. We played ski ball and other fun games, and took a few pictures in the photo booth. I won two big, bouncy balls in a crane game, leaving me quite happy as we headed home.

Rule 3 is located at 650 Windmiller Dr. in Pickerington. For more information about Rule 3 visit www.rule3.com.

/by