Tanner Park is located right on the Great South Bay and features a brand new playground. So new, in fact, that during our recent visit some of the landscaping was still under construction. When you enter Tanner Park, there is parking for the athletic fields and a road that continues along to the beach and playground area. There are different lots for the beach and the playground/skatepark/ball fields area. Parking for non residents is $15 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. during the summer.

The climbing gets started early at Tanner Park, where even the little kid section of the playset features a gentle climb with a bug theme. The platform at this area leads to a short double slide and is connected to the rest of the set via long bridges. The play surface is a soft composite in a pleasing earth tone.

There are a ton of built-ins on this playset, many with an educational theme. The solar system board lets kids pilot a rocket ship through our neighbor planets, while a braille board opens up a whole new way of exploring the alphabet. There's also a clock board, steering wheels with gears, and rotating maze spinners.

A combination slide and climb leads up to one of two pavilions. The four slides that descend from this area empty into a courtyard inside the playset. It's an enclosed area that is smartly built within the confines of the many bridges and pathways.

A swaying platform with seating is like having a ride built into the playset. The rocking action is pretty tame, but when a group of kids get on they can get the whole thing moving pretty well. This playset is located right next to the parking lot for the playing fields, which can get very busy in the late afternoon when leagues are playing. There's not enough parking capacity, so cars wind up parked all along the grass leading into the lot. This area is not fenced in, so the combination of heavy traffic and open space means that you have to keep an extra sharp eye on little ones.

The highlight at the Tanner Park playground is the huge climbing gym. Built with a combination of ropes and pipes, it gives kids the chance to climb in many directions. This is a great spot to explore, and the soft surface means falls won't hurt (too much). At one end, there is a unique narrow slide that is steep and very fast.

This set is built for older kids, but there are a number of swinging platforms that little ones will enjoy. The swingset is right next to this area, and features one toddler, one handicapped and two standard swings. Like the rest of the equipment here, the swings are new and have coated chains. The capacity is limited, however, so expect a wait. The public restrooms are also immediately adjacent to the climbing area.

The beach at Tanner Park is the home of a small sprayground. Combined with the large spray area at Venetian Shores, the Town of Babylon has the market cornered. This is a much smaller space, but it certainly does the job on a hot day. The sprayground remains open after the park stops charging admission at 5:00 p.m. The athletic fields area is also the home of the Marcia Ann Curcio skateboard park, a large facility with a number of half pipes and platforms for skaters.

Tanner Park is open every day and charges admission for non-residents during the summer season. With a dynamic playground, many athletic fields, swimming and skate park it's definitely a place for kids to expend some serious energy.

Tanner Park