Musashino no Mori Park

(4.5÷5 stars)
Beyond Unilocal 100 Challenge 2015 — 20/​?
This is the second Review for a park of the same name, but just so you’d don’t get alarmed or confused, allow me to clarify. The other «half» of the park is located to the west, and at the opposite end of Chofu Airport (separate Unilocal spot and Review), and the airport itself clearly separates the two parks.
Also, the main administration office (separate Unilocal spot/​Review) overseeing both parks and related facilities lies within the property in this eastern half. Not only does the airport lie between the two parks, but during daytime hours, you can walk from one to the other using the promenade passage — a long, paved walkway that lies on the southern edge of the airport and runs parallel to it.
OK, with those things clarified, let’s hit the highlights:
+ Facilities: 4.5÷5 (multiple fields featuring natural grass and artificial turf, depending on the purpose of the given field. Baseball, rubgy and soccer (football) fields make up the main real estate here. However, there is also a dedicated children’s play area (separate Unilocal spot), huge pay parking lot (reasonable rates), ample/​clean public restrooms, nicely paved walkways and landscaping, in addition to tennis courts for rent)
+ Design: ⁴⁄₅ (good example of urban planning to efficiently layout major sports grounds but compliment the surrounding and connecting areas with nicely landscaped paths. Good lighting at night includes led blinking lights built into the pavement to guide you in addition to the overhead lights)
+ Access: 3.5÷5 (by car, bus or on foot is fairly painless. The Odakyu or Keio bus lines #91 running between Keio Chofu and JR Musashi Sakai stations provide quick access. Get off at Chofu Hikojo or Osawa Community Center Mae, then use the Unilocal app to guide you from there. The walk will be about five minutes if you don’t get lost. Don’t worry, there is also a police box very near Osawa Community Center if you really need directions)
+ Other Features: ⁴⁄₅ overall
— There is a very cool Japanese garden in the southwest corner (see photos). It is also a catch basin for excess rainfall, so it’s quite amazing to see it full with water when normally it’s dry but the rock lining simulates water.
— Along the walkways there are many benches to relax or enjoy the games on the fields whose edges they line.
— Multiple entrances lie around the park perimeter allowing access by bicycle or on foot along Tenmondai Dori, in addition to the main entrance that is right off the access road that runs by Chofu Airport for those of you coming by car
Overall, it’s a great place not only to play sports, but to get some exercise whether you walk, jog or run. You can even throw the bikes with training wheels into the back of the car and help your kids learn how to ride in safe, wide open spaces without fear of cars or other pedestrians.
Come early and cross the promenade to explore the other half of the park on the west side. There are completely different features to enjoy as well. If you’re lucky, you can catch views of small private or commercial planes landing and taking off at the airport.