Tenth Street Place's attractions

This week's offering is from Bee staff writer John Holland. His children are 2 and 4.

WHAT: Tenth Street Place and Modesto Centre Plaza

WHERE:  Tenth and K streets, Modesto

WHEN:  Anytime

DETAILS:  In the heart of downtown, this is a mostly car-free place where kids can splash in several fountains and run around amid movie-goers and office workers and street dwellers. Rosa, my 4-year-old, loves the idea of walking freely in the middle of what used to be 10th Street before this block was closed off. Two-year-old Annie has splashed in the Tenth Street Place fountain in summer and winter. She has no patience for the philistines who think it is an ugly piece of modern art. Across K Street, in front of Centre Plaza, are grass and more fountains, plus steps up to what used to be a closed-off area.

AGES: All ages mix well here. The only problem is that Rosa will soon be old enough to see her first movie inside the Brenden complex. She might want to go back every time we’re in the plaza.

HOW IT WENT: Very well. This is the perfect place for kids to get exercise before a nap, or to go as an alternative to too much TV.

COST: Nothing, unless you buy snacks or lunch downtown. The public spaces have plenty of benches and grass for eating stuff brought from home.

ICK FACTOR:  Restrooms are mostly in non-public areas. There is a public one on the ground floor of the city-county building. Just act like you’re on your way to get a building permit or pay your property taxes. There also is one in Centre Plaza. Blend in with the conventioneers.

WOULD WE DO IT AGAIN?: Yes. We live close to downtown. It’s especially nice to walk there on not-too-hot days.