A visit to a park is an inexpensive and fun way to enjoy the last days of summer. Nicola Cutler and her two-year-old son Aidan sample some of the region's finest.

Finding something to amuse the children at the end of the long, summer holiday isn't always easy. Traditional parks are often overlooked but they still have plenty to offer and, what's more, they're free.

PADDY FREEMANS PARK, Heaton, Newcastle

JUST a short bus ride from Newcastle city centre, with good road links, this park has everything a small child could ask for. There's a small lake with ducks and large grassy areas for the kids to let off steam. The play park has a soft bark surface and includes swings, adventure slide, see-saws, rocking rides and a pedal roundabout which was great fun as Aidan's legs were too short to reach the pedals, so I had to jump on too.

Just outside the play area are tyre swings for the older children.Other facilities include a bowling green, tennis courts, free car parks, picnic tables and park benches and a small caf beside the lake which sells tea, coffee, snacks, sweets and duck food. A toilet with baby change facilities is located on the main road and costs 20p to use.

We planned to follow one of the many walks to Jesmond Dene but found it was too steep and slippy in places.

We visited the park on a Saturday and were fortunate to see the boat club out in full force with all of their model boats on display. Aidan loved watching the boats sail across the lake and was disappointed when we had to leave.

DERWENT PARK, Rowlands Gill, Gateshead.

SITUATED approximately four miles from the MetroCentre, this park is reasonably easy to reach by bus and car and there is a free car park on site.

A very steep bank leads down to the area, where there are two separate play parks, one for the younger children and one for the older ones. The small children's play park has a soft, bouncy tarmac floor, an adventure slide with a little table at the top, a sand pit (with no sand), small picnic tables, swings and rocking rides. Aidan explored the larger play park which included a climbing frame with slide and swings.

This park is particularly clean and has a basket ball area, tennis court, bowling green, football posts, a large grass area, shop, toilet and mini golf. Clubs are available at the bungalow opposite.

Derwent Park is pleasantly situated beside the river and is not far from the woodlands centre. On the river bank itself were picnic tables and barbecue facilities. The only thing Aidan did not like were the midges, but I suppose that's one price you have to pay for being beside the river.

SALTWELL PARK, Gateshead

THIS park has a really nice atmosphere, with extensive grass areas, a large boating lake with ducks swans and boats, a small child's play park, play area for over-eights and park walks. Although it is still undergoing extensive refurbishment, it is a really nice, peaceful place to visit.

Aidan's face lit up when he saw the play park, which has a variety of play equipment, including two adventure climbing frames with slides, swings, a sand area with wooden tower, rocking rides and small picnic tables.

Aidan had so much fun here we will definitely be making a return visit, especially when the maze, domestic animal area and walks by the stream are complete.

Snacks and drinks are available from the refreshments house, ice cream van or food van.

The only thing that does let the park down is the toilet block. Even Aidan commented on the smell. "What's that horrible smell called?" he asked. It was a shame for such a nice park.

EXHIBITION PARK, Newcastle

CENTRALLY located, this park has excellent road links and is only a five-minute walk from the city centre.

On entering, there is a skate board/BMX park which Aidan loved to watch. However, I did feel a bit dubious about going any further after seeing graffiti, broken bottles and then a subway to reach the other side. Not a very good first impression.

In the main part of the park, there were a lot of open grassy areas, a children's play park, caf with outdoor seats, basket ball and tennis courts, mini golf, walks, boating lake, as well as a military vehicles museum.

Aidan had a great time in the play park, where there are adventure slides, picnic tables, swings and rocking rides.

The park has obviously been nice at one point but seems to have deteriorated over the years. To be honest, we left quite quickly as it felt unsafe.