Menorah Park Center for Senior Living in Beachwood, Ohio
But, it may be a surprise to know that Menorah Park is a great place to take kids for an afternoon! There is a player piano in the front lobby that plays continuously. It’s a nice attraction. There are cushy chairs around it for listening.
Also, inside is a snack bar called Pearl’s Place that has a good variety of foods which are very inexpensive. It’s a good place to stop for a snack or even a light friendly lunch. Kids are very welcome there, and there is ample self-serve seating. It’s the Menorah Park snack bar for residents and visitors.
Even more interesting to children is Menorah Park’s animal room, where there are a variety of animals to visit, including a talking parrot named Shalom, a large bird cage with a variety of parakeets, finches and lovebirds; a rabbit, a crocodile and turtle; a tank with some rare oxylotls to view; and a beautiful tropical fish tank with sea anemonies and colorful fish of many species. It’s a real attraction! The door is always open and you can walk right in!
There is also a small quarter-operated carousel which plays lively music and turns around. Kids love to play on it, whether it is moving or still, and there are small rocking chairs, books and teddy bears nearby also. A standard upright piano is near the carousel for kids who want to practice their songs. Menorah Park’s staff have thought of everything with that one!
You’ll find a very large aquarium in the middle of the hallway with some of the largest and most friendly goldfish you’ll ever see, with chairs for climbing and taking a better look all around it. My kids always stop there to say hello to the fish, who seem to enjoy the attention!
There is an ice cream stand, operated by volunteers, open from 2-3 in the afternoon daily. Tables and chairs are handy right by the ice cream stand. There is hand-dipped ice cream in many flavors; at .90 a scoop, it’s a great deal!
There is a lovely playground, which is fenced-in and surrounded by flower gardens and walkways. This is a perfect place to relax and let your children run off some steam. There are nice benches all around the area for supervising the kids, nursing a baby, and visiting with residents. There are also a number of outdoor gardens and sitting areas which are perfect for enjoying flowers and sunshine in spring and summer. Menorah Park has excellent gardeners, who really take the time to make it warm, colorful and inviting.
At the end of many of the hallways are small kids’ play areas with mini-kitchens, playhouses, books and stuffed animals. These are great places to stop when the weather outside is rainy or cold.
Finally, the residents in all parts of the Menorah Park building simply love visits from children. So, after playing on all of the kid-friendly activities, and having a snack, it’s a real mitzvah (a good deed) to take the kids to say hello. It really makes the day of these loving old ladies and men. So, next time you’re looking for a fun thing to do with your kids, bring them to Menorah Park. It’s something everyone can feel great about!
