Harwoods Adventurous Playground — Attraction in Watford

Having been a Recreational Adventure Playground for well over 40 years, I was sad to see it closed down, so that a new Adventurous Playground could be built, as this would result in the demolition of the building which housed the toilets, kitchen and indoor play area.

The new structures and layout are pretty amazing with something for children aged 5 to 15. These include a Watchtower, Climbing Wall, A Treetop Walk, Nature Trails, A Sensory and Music Area, Double Zipline and more. There are plenty of tables and benches and bins, with trees and structures offering shade on those hot summer days.

However, there are a few issues which people should be wary of. The outer fencing has now had a section removed which, although allowing access from Vicarage Road, has no gates and allows children to run straight out onto this very busy thoroughfare, which has seen more than its fair share of fatalities involving children. There are also a lot of sandpits which, considering that at the time of writing this park has only been open three days, is already starting to collect rubbish, glass, food waste and dog poo. There are also no toilet facilities, which have been a staple here for more than 50 years.

If some of these issues can be resolved then this would make this park one of the best in Watford.

Update June 21: Since my review, on June 19, fencing has been erected at the entrance onto Vicarage Road. This was the result of complaints from the school, opposite, and various...

I recently visited these park and was thoroughly impressed by its serene ambiance and natural beauty. Nestled amidst the bustling city, this park offers a tranquil escape from the urban hustle. The lush greenery, well-maintained pathways, and picturesque landscapes make it perfect for a leisurely stroll, a family picnic, or simply unwinding in nature's embrace.

The park's amenities are top-notch, with clean restroom facilities, ample seating areas, and well-marked trails for exploring. Whether you're a nature enthusiast, a fitness enthusiast looking for a scenic jogging route, or just seeking a peaceful spot to read a book,it caters to all.

I was particularly impressed by the efforts put into preserving the ecosystem within the park. It's evident that the management team prioritizes sustainability and conservation, which is commendable.

Additionally, the park hosts various events and activities throughout the year, adding to its charm and community spirit. From outdoor concerts to art exhibitions, there's always something exciting happening at this park.

Overall, I highly recommend this park to anyone looking to escape the urban chaos and reconnect with nature. It's a gem of a park that deserves to be cherished by locals and...

Fantastic place for kids to play. Amazing variety of good quality, fun equipment. Our child particularly enjoys the zip wire and the huge adventure slide. We come from far to play here as our local area doesn't have anything like this at all. We easily spend over an hour here when we come.

A downside is the greenery immediately around the play equipment has become overgrown. It doesn't look as neat as some of the pics posted in other reviews in 2022 and earlier. Another downside for us, since we come from far and come by car is that the park doesn't have its own car park. Though I suspect that is by design as the park is probably primarily intended for local residents who should come on foot or by public transport. We have to find parking a bit further afield in the local neighborhood and mostly this is fine though has proven difficult on a couple of occasions when the park is particularly busy.

Definitely a huge asset to the local area. In fact kudos to local borough as we've noticed a lot of the kids playgrounds across Watford have really quality and well maintained play equipment that's really fun...