[quote=AN]
[When I say yard, I don’t strictly mean real grass. You can go artificial grass or even concrete. Just a fenced in place for the kids to play where you can keep an eye on them while you’re inside makes a huge deal. My toddler wants to go out in the yard everyday. I live 2-3 blocks away from the park, yet I’m using my yard much much more than I use the park. Carrying all the toys he wants to play with to park would be a huge pain. I can’t picture doing that everyday.[/quote]

Would have to agree. I remember many a Saturday mowing the grass and thinking my kids used this yard ZERO this week, so I’m mowing unused space.

However, when they did need a place to release a lil pent up energy, I was sure glad it was there.

And though I didn’t want one, I was unanimously outvoted on whether to get a dog, 3 to my lonely 1. If you get a dog, well there is a real need for a back yard…and a dog will use it each and every day! 🙂

So I agree with AN’s perspective. A smallish yard (20-30 ft deep is fine) with a large park within one or two blocks in case they want to do baseball or football or something requiring oodles of space with all windows out of range.

Yes, people can get by with kids in NYC and SF with no back yard, but I don’t think that’s optimal for kids. Just my perspective.