Apex Community Park - Great Trail & View!

Apex Community Park is pretty nice, and the walking trail around at 50+ acre lake is wonderful. There are fitness trails, softball fields, tennis courts and volleyball courts and a lot more. That's all well and good for the "big kids" like you and me. But it's not awesome for the little ones, unless you're on a walk or bike ride around the lake on the trail.

There's also a jungle gym. It's nice enough, pretty new looking and close to parking, which is key for me and my little ones when it's time to pack up and go. But alas there are a few quirks. First, the swings were packed when we went and my little one, who prefers the big girl swing, was stuck in the baby swings. She still had fun. She always does, but there were three and four kids waiting for the other ones. I think the track-out programs/camps like to go there. Also, the jungle gym itself was clean and fun looking, but when my 1 1/2-year old tried to play on it, she couldn't get on or off it without a lot of effort. For some reason, the initial step to climb up this thing is almost two feet off the ground. And the slides and other climbing equipment was not made for the little ones. In fact, she went down one of the slides and got going so fast she fell face first into the wood mulched ground and got a bloody lip and mouth full of wood chips. So we left. I'm sure my 3-year-old would have enjoyed it more, but it was just a bit too much for Dani.

Also, unlike many of Wake County's parks, this one was not well marked. I've been there three times, and there are several entrances and I had trouble finding the different entrances all three times. You're going to want to put this one in your GPS or mapquest it.

2200 Laura Duncan Road 
Cary, NC 27511

HIGHLIGHTS:Gorgeous walking trail around the lake, friendly parents, lots of options for the older kids (volleyball, softball, tennis, basketball, picnic shelters), beautiful wooded park, wonderful 50-acre lake.

LOW LIGHTS: It's not the easiest place to find, the playground is made for slightly older kids (my guess would be 4 and older), and the swings are often pretty crowded.

COST: Free!

Not Just a Walk in The Park!

I slugged my way over to Apex Community Park for a fun morning, and quite a surprise I might add, with Stroller Strides.

This is kind of a first for me, reviewing an actual company rather than a park/farm/museum/activity. Stroller Strides is a workout group for mommies of children 6 weeks to 4 years old (and dads, too). I thought it was just going to be a walk in the park - literally and figuratively. IT WAS NOT! It was so fun. It was interval exercises, some strength, conditioning, aerobic, mixed in with a walk/run while the kids watch and take in the sights from their strollers. In fact, I have a bad back problem that keeps me from doing any impact workouts at all (doctors and physical therapist's orders). There were a lot of things I couldn't do, unfortunately. But I don't think the workouts were ridiculously strenuous or requiring top-level fitness either. It was the kind of class that you get out of it what you put into it - it works you as hard as you work it.

Let me just say, if it were not for my back problem, this would have been perfect for me! I loved it. It was a chance to socialize with other moms, who were very cool by the way. And it was a great way to think outside the box on my workouts. You can do it up to six days a week, too, including Saturdays.

The cost is $55/month for unlimited attendance at a number of different parks and locations, including Apex Community Park, Pullen Park, Crowder Park, North Hills Mall and more. Most urgently, though, is this week (Sept. 24-29) is free. Click here if you want to try it for locations and times.

Also, if you decide you want to join, Stroller Strides is offering 15% off the first three months if you mention this blog (The Not-So Stay-At-Home Mommy or www.wheretogowithyourkids.com)
Jennifer Kedrowski, who was my instructor, said most moms do a monthly unlimited membership option, $55/month plus one-time registration fee but some also do a 10-class pass that lasts three months for $110, which is more of a drop-in style membership.

HIGHLIGHTS: Really fun way to work out with your young kids, it's not just a stroller walk, you get to check out different parks and work out at the same time, meeting new moms and kids.

LOW LIGHTS: My little one (20 months) doesn't like sitting in the stroller very long unless she's moving, so it was a little hairy when we'd stop to do the interval work.

COST:$55/monthly or $110 for 10 sessions over three months. (Mention this blog for a 15% off discount for the first three months)

For the record, this is NOT an advertisement, and I received no money or special treatment to write this blog. As this is my first real review of a "mommy group" I thought you should know!