| Playing areas ‘en Plein Air' |
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There are wonderful parks downtown which are also equipped with playgrounds where kids can have fun with swings, slides and wooden castles. These are perfect places where to free the liveliness of the youngest tourists, though they are also pleasant places for adults longing for some green.
To start with, there is the city green lung, the Park of le Cascine, which extends from piazza Vittorio Veneto as far as the Ponte all’Indiano. Ever since the Medici, who used it for hunting, and the Lorena, who instead favoured it for walking and organizing parties, and until our days, the park has always been connected to the history of the city. Apart form cycling, children can enjoy themselves in the playground, in the pool “Le Pavoniere” and run around on its lawns. As we walk along via Vittorio Emanuele we get to No. 4, the Giardino dell’Orticoltura, which was created in the 19th century on a project by the Società toscana di orticoltura. The main attraction of the garden is its Not far from there, at 64, via Vittorio Emanuele II, a monumental iron gate marks the entrance to the Garden of villa Fabbricotti. Here, amongst Holm-oaks, cypress trees, palm trees, cedars of Lebanon and century-old pine trees, the natural environment is embellished by marble statues, small temples and stone basins. About two thirds along the footpath that wanders through the park, a small alley on your left leads you straight to the Baden Powell garden, equipped with a playground for children (inside a specially area closed-in by pretty fencing) which you also access from via Stibbert (next to the entrance of the Giardino Stibbert). There is a large playground near the entrance to the Garden of villa Strozzi, whether you enter from via di Another garden which is connected to a historical dwelling is the Park of villa Favard, between via Aretina and via Rocca Tedalda. The English layout of the garden dates back to the 19th century, with laurel hedges in various geometrical shapes, a round basin and pots with lemons. Two greenhouses contain citrus trees and tropical plants. Here too a playground is available for kids to have fun freely, and one can have a picnic on specially provided tables and benches. In addition, the neighbourhood noe and then organizes events for children. Another villa, another park: it is the Garden of villa Vogel, in viale Canova, a vast green area sold to the Municipality of Florence by the heirs of the Vogel family. Over the years it has become the premise of Quartiere 4 and its exhibition area. Here the Festival Internazionale del teatro di figura (International Festival of Alternative and Puppet Theatre) takes place in June and attracts kids of all ages. Picnics are forbidden, but children can have fun on the playground, in the skating rink, on trampolines or on the merry-go-round. Moving slightly away from the centre of the city, the Parco dell’Albereta offers everything: from tennis courts to basketball and soccer fields, from classical swings and slides to an inflatable playground, a skating rink and a merry-go-round. In this wooded green area, which extends from piazza Ravenna as far as the Nave di Rovezzano, you can even have a lovely picnic. |
The gardens and parks of historical buildings where kids can play in specially-equipped areas 
greenhouse, a spectacular iron and glass construction supported by 24 cast iron columns, which was designed in 1880 by the architect Giacomo Roster and intended as a shelter for plants during the winter. The garden also features a playground for children and is directly linked to the Orti di Parnaso (also accessible from via Trento), with its typical stone and multicoloured-glass fountain in the shape of a dragon with its mouth wide open and showing all its teeth. 
Soffiano of from via Monte Uliveto and via Pisana. It is a beautiful garden, designed in the 16th century with plays of water and mannerist decorations. A grey sandstone stone staircase has been completely paved with river pebbles. It is however forbidden to have picnics there. 
(Summer opening times are from 8.00 am to 8.00 pm, while winter ones are from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm. Admittance is free. For information, call: 055 2767808).
