There is nothing wrong with kids walking to a play area.

Walking sounds great but his often are you likely to do this? Don’t you drop off and pick up on the way to or from work? I would pick the first choice I think.

Pick closest. You need that time. One hour lost every day to driving is at least 20 hours a month. A parent’s time is worth way more than $10

I had kids in daycare during snomageden. It took me 4 hours to get home. Daycare stayed open to wait for parents. I was so grateful that my daycare was around the corner from my house. Friends who had kids at the big center 3 miles away, didn't get to their kids until 10-11 at night.