Westchester Magazine recently listed downtown White Plains in its list of Best Places to Live in Westchester and Niche.com gives White Plains the #1 spot for millennials. But White Plains is no stranger to these listings as it has been a thriving community and wonderful place to raise a family for many years now.
White Plains is the county seat hosting most county official government offices. It provides an easy commute into NYC-about a 35 minute ride. And with a new $94 million train station renovation, commuting to the city has never been better.
While White Plains provides many opportunities for work, the services and activities available to families is top notch. Here are a few highlights:
Playgrounds
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the newly renovated playground at Saxon Woods. A longtime favorite, this playground located on Mamaroneck Avenue on the same property as Saxon Woods Pool offers an outdoor play experience for kids of all ages, and accessibilities, not to mention free parking.It is divided into two structures, one geared towards younger kids and one for older, and the whole area is set on a soft sponge floor to protect our kiddos from the eventual slip and fall.It is surrounded by a grassy area complete with benches for rest and snack time, and when the kids are done on the playground you can hop on over to the mini golf course for a fun family round.One thing I will note, however, is that the playground is not safety fenced in. If you have multiple young children, or a fast little one, you will have to keep a close watch to make sure they don’t end up in the parking lot, or towards the ditch that separates the playground from busy Mamaroneck Avenue.
One of my favorite playgrounds in White Plains is located in the J. Harvey Turnure Memorial Park off Lake Street, which also recently received a $500,000 upgrade.Like Saxon Woods, there are two separate playground for older and younger kids, but they are separated by a fence. That can work well when you have a younger child so you can be sure they are only using age appropriate playground equipment and not accidentally finding themselves in a scary and/or dangerous situation on an advanced structure. The entire playground is also fenced in protecting children from the surrounding roads. The reason why I call this playground one of my favorites is because it is adjacent to an open field surrounded by shady trees. After getting tired of the playground we head over to the field with a soccer ball and enjoy some free running around time before breaking for a packed picnic lunch…a perfect way to tire out your kids!
Another diamond in the rough playground is Mitchell Place Tot Lot.While not a large playground, it is conveniently located in downtown White Plains between Mamaroneck Avenue and South Broadway. Within walking distance to many residences, it’s a great place for outdoor play for young families who may not have their own personal backyard. Additionally, because of its location nearby most of White Plains stores, it can provide your family with a much needed break from a busy day of running errands at Target or the Westchester Mall. One thing to note, there are no restrooms available at this playground.
Others Family-Friendly Activities:
Besides playgrounds there are many other free or low cost ways to enjoy this flourishing community.
There is the fairly new Bryant-Mamaroneck Park which includes a serene walking trail and StoryWalk for kids. Located, you guessed it, on the southeast corner of Bryant and Mamaroneck Avenues, this public park provides a 1/2 mile loop through the woods. When walking in there you will hardly realize you are just steps from one of the busiest intersections in the city. Parking for the trail is provided in the Shapham Place lot off Bryant Avenue and behind Mamaroneck Avenue School.
For toddlers, Play at the Westchester Mall is also very popular.A free space located on the fourth floor of the mall where children five and under can enjoy interactive play, magnet tiles, and soft mats while parents can enjoy the revamped mall food court, Savor. If you get on the mailing list for the mall, be on the lookout for activities for older children including movie nights in front of their large screen.
Attention all young thespians! Did you know that you have Broadway quality performances right in your backyard? At the White Plains Performing Arts Center in the City Center you can see Tony Award winning productions such as Les Miserables, Beauty and the Beast, and more! The WPPAC also offers theatre workshops and summer camps for kids and young teens.
Who doesn’t love a good ol’ parade and street fair? WellWhite Plains is chock full of them.From St. Patrick’s Day to Juneteenth to Halloween, the city celebrates its rich cultural diversity by closing down a portion of Mamaroneck Avenue in a grand celebration. Families line the sidewalks and restaurants open their doors for these wonderful festivities. Your children will get a first hand look at the different cultures celebrated by their neighbors. They are wonderful occasions to be out and about in our wonderful city!
Where to Eat
For those foodies out there, the White Plains Farmer’s Market on Court Street is also not to be missed. Open from mid- April through Thanksgiving, the Farmer’s Market features tons of delicious food and locally sourced home goods including farmer fresh produce, baked goods, artisanal olive oils & vinegars, and foot truck favorites such as Walter’s Hot Dogs. While historically the market was only open on Wednesdays, it recently added Saturday mornings to its lineup providing a perfect family outing opportunity.
A relatively unknown opportunity for nature lovers is the Silver Lake Preserve.Located on Lake Street adjacent to the border of West Harrison, this Preserve features walking trails through woodlands and fields. Geared towards older children as the terrain can sometimes be quite rugged, there is much to see and explore there including streams, old stone foundations, and rock outcrops. Bonus information to peak your child’s interest: several prehistoric and archaeological resources have been discovered there.
Restaurants:
White Plains is nothing if not known for its Manhattan-like offerings of places to eat.You can enjoy a global culinary experience just by walking down the main thoroughfare. From Peruvian food at Delicias del Jireh (I highly recommend the Lomo Saltado), to authentic Turkish at Turkish Cuisine (approved by my highly fastidious mother-in-law), to the southern cooked goodness at Freebird Kitchen & Bar (the cocktails are worth it alone). White Plains has something for everyone. And the best part is, most of them are family friendly too!
Family Services
With all these young families moving to the area, the community has had to keep up with family and medical services.
White Plains offers numerous urgent care facilities, my go-to’s being CityMD and WestMed. You can have your pick of pediatricians, and White Plains Hospital’s ER offers state of the art emergency care.
The City also offers copious amounts of child care and pre-school facilities. From in-home care to large centers, you have many to choose from to find the right fit for your family. I suggest visiting the Child Care Council of Westchester for more information on any particular child care/pre-school option you may be interested in.
Stay tuned to Macaroni Kids for updates and more!
