To wish parks had a baby crawling/cruising area

In your dream world, but in the real world it wouldn’t work.

I had 2 late walkers so I get it but I agree with others it’s a limited target audience and park planners need to get maximum ROI from the equipment.
I used extra large picnic blankets with toys and a good tip at the beach which could also apply at a park is I used an empty paddling pool or beach tent with toys to keep them more contained

Mine crawled on the grass, sand, wherever they were. I would take them on swings on my lap (obviously not going too high). They loved it and I liked the excuse to go on the swing. Same with seesaws.

DS1 was a crawler from 10-16m... mainly over the winter. I put him in a puddle suit and let him crack on, although our park/ playground is well looked after.

His favourite place to crawl was in church. The church community was very accommodating of him... even when he crawled over the pedals of the organ during prayers 🙈
A nun said he brightened up a dull sermon

I do sympathise, one of mine didn't walk until he was 21 months 🫠 A really really long time to be stuck with this situation!! I actually just let him crawl in some pretty minging spots in the end, poor thing

Newer type housing estates and some community centres sometimes have little playparks, worth a drive around when baby needs a nap one day, to scope out what's around?

Look around for more parks. Some do have tiny climbing frames for crawlers. Disability friendly parks may also have equipment that is suitable. I've seen busy boards and sensory play equipment in a couple of playgrounds.

Same here, wherever we are crawl free little one! Xx

I sympathise as I found it really hard to entertain my crawling baby, ages 8-12 months were HARD. He was aware enough to get bored easily but not able to walk, so taking him places was really hard. We ended going to some sort of soft play daily.

We also have a local hotel which had a nice big open carpeted area and we would sometimes go there when it was quiet, buy a drink at the hotel bar, and let him crawl around. The staff didn't mind as we only went when it was dead.

Don't think most parents want their crawling baby to get their hands onto your average city park grass, full of drug needles, broken beer bottles, dog shit, cat shit, candy wrappers and the list goes on.

That sounds brilliant! I would have loved this when mine was of that age. As an aside why do so many toddler areas just have a sheer drop off one of the sides of the slide/ climbing frame bit! I understand when it's in the bigger kid section but it's annoying when it's in the little kid part

I’d prefer they focussed on providing play equipment for disabled children who have no access to playgrounds for their entire childhood than for kids who have a few months before they can do stuff.

Not BU at all! I have DS (2) and DD (9 months). DD isnt yet crawling but is cruising obsessed, and my son is still a bit small to do all the park things by himself. After a bit of time in the swings all I can do is put DD in the carrier and follow DS around making sure he doesn't top himself on the play equipment.

If there was somewhere to plonk her to cruise or crawl, that would be great. My son, who was a very early crawler and restless baby in general, would have loved it.

In my area, we can't let babies just faff about in the grass. Lots of drug paraphernalia and dog muck.

Picnic blanket with a few toys as pp suggested. Then if he wants to go further he can and if not then that's fine.

yes completely agree as the mum of a late ish walker who has a small living room! we loved play groups in churches etc cos generally people took their shoes off and the babies could all beetle around. and soft plays with well policed under 3s or even some had under 1s areas. but it is hard… I remember posting on my local fb for tips and people in similar boats had lots of suggestions!

Possibly there are issues of hygiene here. The surface would have to be kept reasonably clean from day to day.

In my experience many parks are used for cruising

DD had a fear / dislike of grass when she was tiny. When I got fed up of pushing her endlessly on the swing I'd just take her to the grassy area and sit on a picnic blanket with a few toys. I'd take a magazine to read so I could keep an eye on her but she would still play semi independently and get some fresh air. Sometimes I'd put the toys just off the blanket to encourage her to reach for them.

PP are probably right on that it's a money issue - councils will put money into equipment for age groups that will use it more.

He'll explore when he's ready

This is really sad - let your baby explore the natural world rather than trying to bring the indoors into the outdoors.

It’s a great idea- we do have such an area in a big park near me, but it’s on the other side of the park from the big playground, so it’s not great if you have older DC as well.

It’s tricky. I had a late walker as well. I’d say YANBU.

YABU to assume your experience is the same across the country. We have plenty like that.

Or just put them in play clothes and let them explore, get a bit dirty, it's good for them IMO

Isn't this just a living room?