I took my 7 year old up the ranger path, and he was fine.
It’s a bit shorter, not too technical and not too busy.
I wouldn’t have taken him if the weather was less than ideal though.
I bought mine off ebay last year, and have no complaints. I just needed a couple of longer rubber hangers to make it fit with enough clearance below the rear axle.
If you don’t already own an angle grinder, get one- it will make your life better.
If you only ride 2-4 times per month, you don’t really need to worry about ‘preserving’ the FS.
Get a road bike- so it is properly different.
Also if you commute on it, it may encourage you to ride more.
The carparks in some may be full of the midlife crisis Audi brigade, but for accessibility, year round usability and confrontation free riding, you can’t beat them.