Nevada County Life

Towards the end of 2010 a number of large steel columns were added to the playground in Memorial Park, and then solar sails were stretched between them, helping to shade the children, and keep the playground equipment cool.

Although they were taken away for the winter (a smart move considering how much snow we received here in Grass Valley), the City of Grass Valley confirms that they’ll be returning as soon as they can schedule the work.

Over the summer there was construction work at the Memorial Park playground and a number of tall metal columns were installed.

This week shade “sails” were added to the columns, shading both the climbing structure for the 2-5 year old children, and the swings.

Even late on an early October day the difference between standing in the shade and standing in the direct sunlight was noticeable!  Should be really useful next summer though as not only will the shades protect the children from the sunlight, but they’ll also stop the equipment getting too hot in the afternoon.

This morning my son and I went to Gold Country Gymnastics in Grass Valley. They offer open gym time to preschoolers on Fridays from 9am-10:30am for $6 per child. It’s a really fun time in a big open room with all kinds of things around for the kids to run off some energy, get exercise, and build their coordination by running, jumping, climbing, rolling, and playing in the in-ground foam pit. My two-year old son has a blast at the gym.

Gold Country Gymnastics offers classes for all ages of children from walking through high school. They have gymnastics classes as well as special tumbling classes, trampoline classes, and they host birthday parties.

Gold Country Gymnastics is located at 110 Spring Hill Drive, Suite 14 in Grass Valley. Take Idaho-Maryland to Spring Hill Drive – take the first right into the parking lot and you will see signs for the gym. Their phone number is 273-3680. Visit the Gold Country Gymnastics website.

This week my son and I went to the Imaginarium in Nevada City for their monthly preschool play day. It was a really fun outing that I highly recommend! It was set up for preschoolers, and we explored magnets, bubbles, gravity exhibits, and did some painting.

The Imaginarium has over 20 different hands on science exhibits, and it’s good for all ages – kids and adults. They have a generator to raise your hair, a Distorted Room where you can shrink, and my personal favorite – a skeleton riding a bicycle. Through June 2009, they are hosting a special exhibit titled “Simple Machines”. 

The preschool play day is once a month, but if you don’t have a preschooler, the Imaginarium is open to the public one Friday or Saturday a month from September to June and for special events. Visit to view the schedule. You’ll find the Imaginarium at the corner of Ridge Road and Nevada City Highway in Nevada City. Phone: 478-6415.