Children help create guide to Hudson parks

by Michele Collins

Children visiting the Hudson parks will have a new way to enjoy everything the parks have to offer from a kid’s point of view, thanks to the new Children’s Guide to the Hudson Parks, a collaboration between three organizations – Hudson Preschool Parents, Hudson Community First and Friends of Hudson Parks.

According to Hudson Preschool Parents President Ashley Chaffee, the new guide will be created by children for children.

“We have asked for input from local kids about what they like most about the parks,” Chaffee said. “We have asked them to rate the parks based on what activities are available for each age group, and included some of their quotes and drawings.”

The organizations placed QR codes at the park, which allowed children to scan them and answer a few questions about the parks. Their answers were what shaped the guide.

The guide will be a brochure available at each park and at frequently visited local establishments. It will include up-to-date information about playground equipment, trails and the like.

“We wanted our organization to be involved because its definitely something the preschool parents are familiar with. We take our children to the parks, have playdates there, and even hold some of our group’s activities there,” Chaffee said, noting that the parks guide is an existing guide highlighting local activities and resources for children. “The children really took it seriously and provided great information from a kid’s point of view.”

According to Jonathan Shaw, a teacher at McDowell Early Learning, the children’s guide guide grew out of a project his kindergarten students completed several years ago in class.

“Essentially, a very astute student noticed that there were no informational pamphlets made by children for children at the visitor center, library or any other place in Hudson. So students got to work making ‘A Kindergartener’s Guide to Hudson,’ which highlighted the best places to eat, play, shop and be in Hudson. The Children’s Guide to Hudson Parks is an extension of that work,” he shared.

Shaw said children were asked to go out into the parks, and then with their parents’ help, share their views on what makes each park kid-friendly with the guide’s designers.

With three organizations working together, the guide has now become a true community collaboration.

“The Hudson community thrives when local nonprofits work together to amplify their outreach,” said Laura Jones, co-director of Hudson Community First. “In this case, we have come together as a group to empower the voices of our youngest residents by asking for their opinions and drawings of Hudson parks they enjoy.”

She added that Hudson’s abundance of green space encourages families to get outdoors.

“One thing we can all agree on today is the need to take a break from digital devices and enjoy the world around us. This kid-friendly physical map is a great way to do that,” Jones said.

Shaw concurred.

“We hope to not only encourage children and families to get out into the parks, but also to help contribute to such a great community project,” he said.

The pamphlet is being finalized this fall with plans to have it available in spring 2027 – just in time for its creators to put it into action as they get out and play.