Edinborough Park & Adventure Peak554

Peculiar? Ingenious? You decide.

Edinborough Park - nearly an acre in size - has all the usual park amenities, including a playground, an amphitheater, a basketball court, a babbling brook, and more than 6,000 plants, trees, and flowers along winding cobblestoned paths. Balconies of the adjacent senior housing complex overlook the park, which is also bordered by a large childcare center, professional medical offices, a deli/cafe, an all-suite hotel, and a health club featuring a pool and running track. A large pay-to-enter play and climbing structure, Adventure Peak, replaced the little-used ice skating rink a few years back and draws quite a crowd, with loads of nooks and crannies for kids to climb up, slide down, and mess around.

The thing is, it's all indoors - the balconies, the greenery, the playground, the water features - all of it. It's certainly disconcerting in July, what with the air-conditioning and all ... but it's a real godsend in February, when little ones can doff their coats and run free. Sure it's a little crammed. For example, the pool runs right alongside the basketball court, with only a glass wall between the two. But little ones playing with the variety of balls and ride-ons set out for them on the gymnasium-type court are more likely to be facing the other way, toward the carpeted platform where parents and siblings can sit and observe the goings-on.

The park hosts a terrific series of free performances and concerts during three seasons - for summer, the shows move outdoors to Centennial Lakes Park. Noon shows on Tuesdays and Thursdays are especially for kids, and feature musicians, magicians, jugglers, and more. Evening concerts typically feature community bands and orchestras, with a lot of jazz and oldies.

Parties: Packages include admission to the playspace, and two hours at reserved tables at one of six sites throughout the park - the tables provide space you can use exclusively, but don't expect privacy! The weekend package includes tablewear, invitations, and a t-shirt for the birthday child ($120 for up to 10 children; $9 each additional child); the no-frills weekday option includes only admission and table use ($75 for up to ten children; $7 each additional child). Up to 60 kids can be accommodated; call 952.832.6067 several weeks in advance to book. Drop-in parties are not allowed.