Last Saturday, we decided to check out Bexley with the girls. Although I’m familiar with the area, seeing it from a new perspective with the kids was exciting. We started off with some coffee from the cozy Bexley Coffee Shop and then made our way to Jeffrey Park, only a short mile and a half away. The park is a treasure trove of fun activities for everyone, nestled in the midst of nature’s beauty. It was the perfect spot for us to unwind and recharge after a hectic week, with a relaxing and peaceful atmosphere all around us.
Local Coffee
I’ve always loved Bexley Coffee Shop. It is such a welcoming and cozy space with friendly employees. Thinking back at all of our visits, the customers are really friendly, too.
Short story: One time Emerson and I were going to an art class at Art with Anna and stopped to grab coffee before. With one baby vs. three I sometimes feel more overwhelmed. So, after we left, I was trying to get her in the car seat, grab the bag and all the things and all of a sudden, my coffee spilled all over the hood of my car. I was so sad and frazzled. I decided to go back in. When I walked up, someone opened up the door for me and someone else bought my coffee. It was all so sweet.
The Bexley Coffee Shop opened back in January of 2015 and as soon as they did, they brought in locally-roasted Thunderkiss Coffee + started making a wide variety of baked goods in-house & from scratch each day. Let me tell you, their baked goods are DELICIOUS. Sometimes if you get lucky, they’ll have $1 day old treats. Yummy. My favorites are the cheddar & bacon scones and ANY of the coffee cakes. This last visit, I ordered the banana chocolate chip and cheddar/bacon scone.
As for my coffee, I went with a large iced latte (+ extra shot) and added maple spice syrup. Sometimes I like to pretend it’s fall with more fall like flavors and then I walk outside and instantly remember its blazing hot.
Saturday before last, I was showered, had a dress on (with pockets, of course, i’m not crazy…)and make-up. This week, we wanted to get out of the house a bit earlier (and I was tired) – so, I threw my hair sort of up in some half bun/ponytail type of thing, did a tiny bit of makeup and I think I had work-out clothes on that I haven’t worked out in in about 8 months. Some days it looks like you have it together and sometimes it doesn’t. Either way, remember, you’re still an amazing mama!
They do have a cozy little area inside, but if I am not getting it to go – I like to sit on their patio just to the left of the entrance. It is partially covered, too! Also, they’re a part of the Coffee Trail – so don’t forget to grab your stamp. I am notorious for forgetting my stamp. I took a picture of the book, but didn’t get it stamped….
P.S. – If you’re not a coffee drinker, they offer other iced drinks and smoothies!
Address: 492 N Cassady Ave, Bexley, OH 43209
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Toddler Friendly Playground
Less than five minutes (1.3 miles) from Bexley Coffee shop is one of the hidden gems of toddler playgrounds – Jeffrey Park.
Features
- GATED IN TODDLER AREA. Yes, I meant to capitalize that! Inside that area are three climbing structures with one including a double slide. There is also a bench for adults to sit because well, you’re toddlers are safely gated inside. ๐ The floor is also a softer sponge like material vs. the typical mulch that your toddler loves to put in their mouth.
- A HUGE green space to run, picnic or dance through. You walk through this green space to get to the play areas, which means you’re not next to a road! I feel much better playing at playgrounds that aren’t directly on a main street.
- Besides the gated in toddler area, there are two other play areas. One geared towards ages 2-5 and one towards 5-10. They each have a set of swings next to them.
- Picnic tables in an open-air shelter, meaning they’re covered. They also have a small, kid sized picnic table near one set of swings.
- Jeffrey Park Restrooms – In-Season Restroom Facility Usage: (April/May โ September/October). The opening and closing of the park restrooms for the season may be earlier or later depending on the temperature. There was a bathroom next to the toddler area, but had a sign on the door saying that it was closed. However, the park cabin restrooms were open!
- Heads up! There was a sign that said dogs are prohibited in the park.
- Jeffrey Park is open for visitors to enjoy daily from 7:00amโ 10:00pm.
The main reason we chose this park was because it has a gated in toddler area. I hadn’t been to this park in years, but it was the one thing that truly stuck out. You don’t see many gated toddler areas, if any around Columbus. The area offers three different play structures. A house, a caterpillar bug type of tunnel and a dinosaur with a double slide. The girl are 19 months and did great with it all. Nothing was too challenging for them. Only downfall, they kept looking out of the gate at all the green space to run in and the swings. These girls LOVE swings. As soon as they wake up in the morning, they want to go outside and swing. After maybe 15 minutes, we had to move on. With that being said, after spending some time in the other parts and finishing our walk – I think they would have gladly gone back in and played some more on the dinosaur structure.
I appreciate that they chose a different flooring for this area vs. the typical mulch they use in other areas. It was softer for falls, but most importantly, they couldn’t eat it!! #toddlerproblems
The moment they tried to escape, but realized they couldn’t open the gate! It only opens from the outside (easily reached by adult hands), which prevents them from escaping! This is the perfect feature for when I take the girls to the park solo.
They do have two other play structures. One is geared towards 2-5 and the other 5-10. You can’t see in the picture, but they even have a fun zipline and one of the skinny barrel things you stand on. This playground reminded me a lot fo the playgrounds from when I was in elementary. Enough fun “old-school” things to almost feel a bit dangerous. Ha.
This is the 2-5 area. Not huge, but offers enough for the kids to do. There is another slide on the opposite side that you can’t see in this picture.
I love when they have 3+ swings. On the other said of the playground, they had bigger kid swings. I believe there were 2?
Bonus Feature(s)
Natural woodland with walking trails
If you thought the park was great just from the playground, green space and beautiful property – you’re going to be even more excited! Just behind the playgrounds you’ll find a natural woodland with walking trails, one that leads to water! We even spotted 4 deer. I love this path because you can either take a short loop around or you can take one of the other paths to create a longer walk.
“Jeffrey Park offers over 1 mile of walking paths through Sycamore and Cottonwood trees in the flood plain, White Pine and Blue Spruce in the conifer grove, Sugar Maples and Oaks in the deciduous woodland, Daffodils and Hyacinths in the woodland gardens and with Butterflies and Goldfinches in the Ohio prairie. Throughout the woods there are native flora and fauna species to be seen including Owls, Cooper Hawks, Deer and a recently found troop of Foxes.”
Jeffrey Mansion
If you’re not familiar with this park, then you may or may not have heard of Jeffrey Mansion, which is what sits up to your right as you’re walking down to the park. It is absolutely stunning.
Photo Credit: Bexley.org – I always forget to snap picture because I am always in awe of how gorgeous it is.
“The park grounds and Jeffrey Mansion were left to the City of Bexley by the Robert H. Jeffrey family in 1941. The Jeffrey family donated 34 acres provided that it be used as a park space for playgrounds, recreation and education. In 1968 the City of Bexley moved the Recreation and Parks Department into Jeffrey Mansion and onto the grounds. Today the Recreation and Parks Department continue the Jeffrey family legacy operating recreational programs in the park, a pre-school for students three to five years old, a dedicated Jeffrey Summer Camp program and a seasonal Bexley Community Pool.”
You can read more about the Jeffrey Mansion renovation and expansion here.
This area gives me major Secret Garden vibes and I love it.
Address: 165 N Parkview Ave, Bexley, OH 43209
Jeffrey Mansion & Park Access & Parking Options
1. South Lot at the Mansion
2. Parkview Ave & Clifton Ave.
3. Jeffrey Park Lot (off Clifton Ave.)
A parking map is available here. The lot by the tennis courts is where we parked and it was very ideal. There is a path that takes you from that lot to the playground, which you can see from the parking lot.
Looking for more toddler friendly playgrounds (and local coffee)? Check out our visit to Dublin and Clintonville.
