Take Your Kids to the Wild West (Jordan) Playground

Playgrounds have gotten infinitely cooler since I was a kid. Most playgrounds that I enjoyed when I was younger consisted mainly of swings, slides and monkey bars.

The Wild West Jordan Playground in West Jordan City Park, is a playground themed around the wild west, or at least Utah's version of it. The entrance to the playground is marked by an old water tower which sits in front of an approximation of an 1880's Main Street complete with several different storefronts. Beyond and behind the Main Street facade, are areas that represent Utah in the 1880's and 1890's, all connected by bridges, tunnels and monkey bars.

The most impressive part of the entire structure is a multi-level playhouse built to represent the old Saltair resort in its heady days on the shores of the Great Salt Lake. From the top level of the playhouse, an enclosed twisty slide descends almost two stories.

Different walls of the structure are painted to look like the Bingham Canyon Copper Mine or the Wasatch Mountains. Built into the painting of the Wasatch Mountains are a small climbing wall with hand and footholds just like the big walls but not ascending too high, and safe enough for the kids to pretend they are mountain climbing.

There are two distinct areas of the playground, one for the tots, aged 2-5, and the bigger area for the kids from 5-12 years old. The Wild West Jordan Playground is limited to kids 12 or younger, is open dawn 'til dusk, and has cameras that provide 24 hour police surveillance.

And for those of you who crave the old fashioned playground from the days of your youth- yes, the Wild West Jordan Playground does have swings.

If you like Wild West Jordan, also take a look at Discovery Park.

Place: Wild West Jordan Playground (West Jordan City Park) 1985 West 7800 South, West Jordan, Utah

Time: Dawn to Dusk

Cost: Free

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Gardner Village- Wander Through the Past

If you are looking for a place to wander, to get lost for a little while, either by your self, with a date or spouse, or even with the kids, Gardner Village is a place that has a little something for everyone.

When I was much younger, I remember driving by the old, dilapidated Gardner Mill on 7800 South in West Jordan, wondering what that old place was and why it didn't get torn down. I'm glad it stayed. What has happened in its transformation has been truly spectacular.

Gardner Village is an old, turn of the century style village, filled with modern shops and amenities. It is anchored by the Gardner Mill building which now houses Archibald's Restaurant and Country Furniture and gifts. The village behind the mill is filled with fun and interesting shops to explore.

The Village Christmas Shoppe has Christmas decorations and ideas all year round. Take the kids into the store in July and get them excited six months ahead of time. The Naborhood Bakery makes fresh goodies everyday and just walking by the store and smelling the bread, doughnuts and chicken soup is enough to make your head spin. One of my favorite shops is Sweet Afton's. This is an old time candy shop with all the old fashioned and modern candies you could ever dream of. If you like fudge, this is the place to go. They make fudge in dozens of different flavors. My favorite is the Snickers fudge. Don't forget The Storybook Nook with a great collection of children's books and toys.

The kids will enjoy the Barnyard Buddies Petting Zoo and Pony Rides. Your kids will love petting the rabbits, pigs, goats, llamas, cow, donkeys and more. Cost is just $2.00 per child. If you'd like to give them the chance to ride a pony, it is an extra $3.00. And for your peace of mind, hand washing stations are available.

The Jordan River Parkway is just around the corner from Gardner Village, under the railroad bridge, and is connected by a walkway. Enjoy a nice evening walk on the parkway and then head on over to Archibald's for a relaxing dinner.

Place: Gardner Village
Location: 1100 West 7800 South, West Jordan, UT
Phone: 801.566.8903
Hours: Jan. & Feb. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Mar. to Dec. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Closed Sundays. Some parts of Gardner Village have slightly different hours. Check before you go.
Cost: Visiting Gardner Village is FREE- Barnyard Buddies Petting Zoo, $2.00 per child; Pony Rides, $3.00 per child.


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Distance from:
Salt Lake City: 12.5 miles
Ogden: 47.9 miles
Provo: 34.8 miles
Logan: 92.6 miles

Free Event of the Day- May 3, 2008

Jessica Day George, author of the popular children's fantasy books, Dragon Slippers and Dragon Flight, will read from and sign Dragon Flight this afternoon at the Barnes and Noble at Jordan Landing. The books are aimed at children from 9 to 12 years old, but even the older kids love this magical story. Take the opportunity to meet one of Utah's own great children's authors.


Place: Barnes & Noble at Jordan Landing
Location: 7157 Plaza Center Drive, West Jordan, UT
Phone: 801.282.1324
Event Time: 2:00 p.m.
Cost: FREE to listen


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Distance from:
Salt Lake City: 15.7 miles
Ogden: 49.2 miles
Provo: 37.5 miles
Logan: 93.9 miles