Fig Family Finds
Sledding at “The Hill” in Media’s Glen Providence Park
Who’s going sledding today?
It’s that time of year again! Grab your sleds, and head for “the hill”!
My daughter in her Snow Tube at "The Hill," winter 2011.
Glen Providence Park is home to an amazing hill for families to take kids sledding. Located in Media, Glen Providence Park can be found at State and West Streets—just before Baltimore Pike.
Those who live in the borough can enjoy a short walk to the park, while others who drive can find parking spots at the top of the big hill. A beautiful stone structure has steps that lead you to the “sledder’s launching spot” at the top of the big hill. A wooden bench is conveniently placed on the top center so parents or kids can rest between rides. For very young tots and first-time sledders, there are lower parts of the hill that one can launch from that are great “warm-ups” to the big part of the hill!
Folks bring all types of sleds here. I’ve seen classic wooden “Radio Flyer” sleds that steer, plastic toboggans, sliders, snow tubes, plastic saucers or whatever works to slide down the hill. I’ve even seen teenagers and adults skiing down the side hills and using the picnic tables as ramps! I asked my 8-year-old son, Jerry, which kind of sled is his favorite. He said, “The saucer is my favorite because it has handles and is easy to hold on to and I can make it spin and go fast!” Jerry also really likes our other sled, a foam sled called the “Wham-o Alpine Rocket Snow Boogie.” It has two sets of handles and is ideal for two folks to ride on. It slides down the hill really fast, and you can sit up or lay on your belly.
My son Jerry at "The Hill" at Glen Providence Park, winter 2011.
Where can you buy a sled? Deals in Media carries a plastic toboggan at a bargain price. Sporting good stores such as REI carry sleds. Online you can search Sleds.com, L.L. Bean and tons of other sites—just Google “sleds.” Last year, we borrowed our neighbor’s Snow Tube from L.L. Bean and my whole family had a blast riding it down the hill!
Safety should always come first, so make sure your kids are aware of other folks walking back up the hill and understand how to stop the sled with their hands or feet to avoid hitting someone; they also should know how to jump off and “bail” from the sled if they are about to hit a tree or other object. If the sled has steers (usually the Radio Flyer wooden-type sleds have steers), you can control the direction the sled goes with your feet or hands. However, use caution with sleds of this type, as it’s been reported that kids can get their hands or feet caught in the steers. The wooden sleds with the steel rails go much faster, so your kid may ride all the way down to the pond. Make sure kids know about safety near the icy pond—when it is safe to walk on the ice and when they shouldn’t.
Media has several great places to sled in addition to “the hill” at Glen Providence Park. Rose Tree Park has a fantastic snow slope, and Ridley Creek State Park has a large grassy slope by the park office that is popular for sledding.
Let’s hope we can get out there for a few more great sled runs this year!
—Mary Good
Mary Good is an artist and writer who resides in Media. She enjoys photography, painting, writing children’s books, and blogging. Her art blogs and links to her Flickr photo stream can be found at www.kokopellisearth.com and her Facebook page. She enjoys going on family adventures with her husband Brad and her two wonderful children, Jerry and Lila. Mary also enjoys bike riding, hiking, horseback riding and going to the ocean, where the salty ocean air relaxes and refreshes the souls and spirits of all! Look for Mary’s articles on local family-friendly finds every few weeks here on figmediapa.com!
1 Comment
Jonathan Twilley added this opinion on
Sounds like a lot of fun. I remember a hill in Chester, VA where we all had fun sledding in our youth. As kids, safety took a backseat on the sled. We used to jump ramps of ice at the hill’s end. Sometimes, as other sledders went past, we would bomb them with snowballs. But perhaps the best and most dangerous thing was when we stood on our sleds and tried to wreck each other on the way down. The last man standing won. The others, with their bruises and scrapes and some needing stitches on their chins, were the losers.
When we got older, we would leave the hill to the younger kids during the day. At night, however, we would start a bonfire and mix a cooler full of purple passion. After having our share, we would get over courage up and, as we did in our youth, wrecklessly sled the hill. Unfortunately, our old sleds wouldn’t hold up so well to the rigors of young adult sledding. With our own sleds in shambels, we borrowed all of the day children’s sleds they had left on the neighbor’s front porch across the street. Looking back, I regret that those children were unable to sled the next day. I also regret the hangovers. Even so, those were the days.