We're lucky - in the little village we live in there is a good park, with swings, seesaw and climbing frame.  It is about 2 blocks from home and we often go there when we go to the corner shop, which is next door.  We have to go to the little shop to pick up our mail (no delivery here) - they also have a little cafe, video shop, petrol bowser, groceries and newsagent - all in one tiny store.

Yesterday though we went to Corbett Gardens - not really a park, but a garden opposite the shops, where they have a big tulip time every year.  Of course now the beds are all bare, but the kids went in and out of the rotunda, up the stairs, over a little bridge and through the river bed (currently empty).  It's a lovely spot of tranquility amidst the busy country town we have to go to shop (about a 40min drive).

it makes going shopping a little easier on the kids if they know there is playing time. I often have to say there's no time left...

The Tulip Festival & gardens sound great. I was lucky enough to visit the Keukenhoff Gardens in the Nederlands twice, once at planting time (glad not my job) and once at flowering time- spectacular!

Isn't it funny - you don't realise what is culturally specific until someone points it out to you.  Maybe in colder parts such as yours you don't have ice blocks?  Maybe they are called ice lollies?  Kind of like ice-creams but just frozen lemonade on a stick - popsicles??  Sorry - hope that clarifies.  And pommies (or poms) over here are what we call people from the UK/ England (affectionately known as "whinging poms").