Mum is on mission to review and rate the city's park life

Karah, from Copnor, has been putting the summer holidays to good use and has been publishing each park’s performance on her Facebook page Scooter Kids & The Portsmouth Park Adventures.

She’s had help from her children – Phebe, seven, and Toby, four – who have been testing out the play equipment, as well as giving their opinions.

She was inspired to start the blog after taking on a challenge last May which saw the trio walk to 25 parks in Portsmouth covering more than 50 miles in 10 days. Karah, 33, said: ‘Since then we’ve become local park gurus with many friends and friends of friends asking for recommendations and tips on parks to visit. Due to this – and my children’s love of parks – we decided to start an online blog.

‘It not only records our adventures, we take our time to review, rate and share our opinions on the space. We actually couldn’t believe something wasn’t already there. Parents don’t have much money these days and parks are free.’

There are two reviews for each park, with one from an adult’s point of view, covering topics such as location, parking, bus routes, coffee houses, and toilets. The other is from the children who have been looking at the park’s play-ability.

Karah said: ‘On the Portsmouth City Council park map there are 122 in Portsmouth. So far we have found parks which the council have not mentioned online and we hope to uncover more hidden gems.

‘We’ve visited 35 of the parks so far and I am slowly uploading them to the blog, We are hoping that by September we will be on the home run!’

The children have been enjoying their adventure. Phebe said she loves scooting from park to park and her brother Toby is just as keen.

Phebe said: ‘We are so lucky to live in a city where we have so much to explore.’

Karah said she couldn’t believe how popular the blog has already become.

‘I have had so many messages asking if I could review and rate parks near them and parks they have yet to visit.

‘For many families, time is precious and there is nothing worse than a trip to a park which lacks the needs of their children.

‘My dream would be for the council to enjoy the work we’ve put in and possibly fund us to produce some kind of park guide. So many people who live in the city have no idea that there are hidden spaces with amazing play-ability.’

SOME OF THE PARKS VISITED

n Tipton House

Tipton House play park can be found outside the large flats with the same name. Situated very close to Winston Churchill Avenue.

Mum Review 5/10 Scooter Kids Review 6/10

n Somers Town Central / The Hub

Located just to the right of Somers Town Central, this park runs parallel with Winston Churchill Avenue.

Mum Review 6/10 Scooter Kids 9/10

n Somers Town Adventure Playground

Found in the heart of Somers Town, a stone’s throw from Somers Town Central, this fort-like haven is on Waterloo Street.

Mum Review 10/10 Scooter Kids Review 10/10

n Bransbury Park

This large and popular park can be found along Milton Road in Eastney.

Mum Review 8/10 Scooter Kids Review 9/10