Summer is on its way: time for a family picnic in the park

The temperatures were so wonderfully summery last weekend that we decided to take an outing – no, not to the swimming pool, but to our local park. There are a few advantages to this choice.

For example, you don’t have to line up to get inside as soon as the temperature gets above 20°C – like you do for most of Zurich’s “badis” (outdoor swimming pools). That also means the park is less crowded. In addition, entry is free, there’s usually enough space to spread out your picnic blanket in the nicest spots, and you can often find somewhere in the shade. A lot of parks even have fountains or other water features that help keep you cool – and kids love them.

Our favorite park is in the district where we live and is called Schindlergut. Every city has one like it – it’s not too big and not too small, but just right. We’ve given ours the loving nickname “Schigu”; it’s a spacious park in Kreis 6 with plenty of corners for whatever you want to do.

Families with small children can stay near the café in the community center, where there is a sandbox, slide, barbecue area and a very popular ice cream stand. For bigger kids, there’s a little forest perfect for hide and seek, and a large soccer field that’s great for flying kites in fall. And right at the back – far from the hubbub of children – there are benches for a romantic tête-à-tête with views over the city.

Our favorite spot is under the two birch trees, whose delicate leaves let the sun through a little but not in full force. It’s the perfect atmosphere for a cozy picnic in the dappled shade. And after the kids have polished off the sandwiches, raspberries and melon slices and run off to the sandbox, and the older ones are trying out the ping pong table, the adults might even have a moment to stretch themselves out on the blanket, doze off to the sound of birdsong or read a few pages of a book – before the kids come and drag them back to reality. Okay: time to bake sand cakes!

More great parks for summer in the city of Zurich

• Rieterpark, Wollishofen: an elegant and sophisticated park that is also home to the Museum Rietberg
• Artergut, by Kreuzplatz: with a paddling pool from the thirties and a considerable number of trees
• Platzspitz, by the main station: don’t get scared off by this park’s former reputation – this is a place where locals and tourists meet
• Beckenhof, by Stampfenbachplatz: this small park is perfect for anyone looking for idyllic peace and quiet
• Irchelpark, by Milchbuck: far from the bustle of the city, with water and a view of City West

Tips and links Kinderregion

More beautiful city parks in the Children’s Region:

• Stadtgarten Winterthur: a park in the heart of the city with large children’s playground
• Lindengut Park, Winterthur: historic villa park, known in the local dialect as “Vögelipark”
• Eulachpark, Winterthur: largest park in Winterthur in the former industrial district in Oberwinterthur
• Lindenhügel Rapperswil: with playground, a deer park and the city library just nearby
• Campus HSR, Rapperswil: right by the wooden jetty, perfect for a picnic by the lake and a game of volleyball
• Villette Park, Cham: playground with pirate ship and wooden railway in the park next to Lake Zug
• Kurpark, Baden: large park by the Casino Baden with duck pond and play area with climbing equipment and extra wide slide
• Old city cemetery, Baden: beautiful park with large playground (climbing park with swings, sandboxes, gravel area for boules and table tennis tables)