Madison County offers an incredible variety of playgrounds and parks for kids of all ages. Search below to find parks with shade, trails, fences, and playgrounds.
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FAQ
Q: Which playgrounds have bathrooms?
A: Many larger community parks include restrooms — use the search below.
Q: Are there toddler-friendly playgrounds?
A: Yes! Many include low climbing structures and fenced areas.
Airplane Park\ Township Park
(Edwardsville)
has many pavilions, lots of climbing, handicapped accessible areas, large restrooms, water fountains, and a real airplane displayed. One of the large playgrounds is for younger children and the second is for older. Runs next to a large trail. NOT dog friendly.
Cahokia Mounds
(Cahokia,IL)
A pre-Columbian Native American city and a UNESCO site. Grounds are open dawn- dusk. Monks Mound is the largest Earth Work in North America with 154 steps to the top. Leashed dogs are welcome outdoors. Wide paved paths with varying shade
Emmenegger Nature Park
(Kirkwood, STL)
offers shaded hiking trails through a forested area alongside a shallow rocky creek perfect for summer splashing. A small picnic area sits near the entrance. Trails vary in length and steepness. No playground or bathrooms and trails can be muddy
Gardens at SIUE
(Edwardsville)
is a botanical garden featuring a half-mile paved walking path with lots of shade. A great place for photos. Pet friendly. Don't Miss: The bridges over the train tracks and beautiful art. Can get crowded on beautiful weekends. A variety of well labeled trails are mostly paved with lots of shade, educational placards, and beautiful art.
Glazebrook Parks and Splash Pad
(Alton)
has two ponds, two playgrounds, concession stands, three restrooms, shelters, a gazebo, soccer fields, a splash pad, and over 3 miles of walking trails. The splash pad has a large dump bucket, smaller buckets, sprayers, picnic tables with umbrellas, and a fence with a child lock. Staff were attentive and cleaned quickly. Chairs aren't very comfy. Bring some of your own for a longer stay. Located at 1401 Stamper Lane.
Horseshoe Lake
(Pontoon Beach)
is a large natural area offering picnic shelters, hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. The shallow lake is drained annually to support shorebird habitat. Over 287 bird species have been recorded here, including wintering Canadian geese and bald eagles. Korte Recreation Center
(Highland)
Playgrounds, fields, beautiful lake, and manicured gardens on site. Indoor site has a pool with toddler pool, hot tub, lazy river, whirlpool, and a two-story water slide. No diving area.
Cost: $4.50 to $23 per person. Family day passes available.
Lake Lou Yaeger
(Litchfield, IL)
Milnot Beach at Lake Lou Yaeger offers lifejackets, water apparatus, diving boards, and a guarded swimming area. Hours vary seasonally. Family season passes available. Perfect for families with a range of ages. Can get crowded. Pulling onto floating equipment can be tricky. Cost: $7 adults, $5 children (5-17), under 5 free. Family season pass includes 10 members.
Leclaire Park
(Edwardsville)
5.8 acres of land within the local historic district. The small park features a bandstand gazebo, a picnic pavilion, small children's playground areas, and a two-acre fishing lake. There is plenty of trees and shade. Pet Friendly. There is a sidewalk around the lake that closely borders the road at some points. Don't Miss: The geese, ducks, turtles, and great fishing.
Leon Corlew Park and Splash Pad
(Edwardsville)
has a splash pad, workout area, large pavilions, bathrooms, barbecue grills, a concessions area, large playground, and younger children's playground. The splash pad has features for young and older kids, and shaded benches. Can get crowded. Adjacent playground\slides can be slick when wet. There is a short paved path around the splash pad and playground with some workout gear.
Mastodon State Historic Site
(Imperial, MO)
Mastodon State Historic Site has a long shallow creek with many shady wading areas. To get to the creek, park near the playground, go past the bathrooms, and cross the bridge! The creek is ideal for splashing around. It can be crowded on weekends and holidays but usually has enough space to spread out. Pet friendly. No place to sit at the creek. Bring your own chairs. There are deep areas of the creek, so keep an eye on kids. Great trails with beautiful views and lots to discover. Don't Miss: Finding crayfish, snakes, and turtles!
The Nature Institute
(Godfrey)
The Nature Institute has a number of shallow creeks to play in. Our family explored the Rock trail and Beaver Falls, which is small but worth the walk! It’s a relaxing spot for all ages to enjoy nature. NOT dog friendly. Closed Mondays. Restrooms close at 4 pm on weekdays and weekends.
O'Day Park
(O'Fallon, Missouri)
Nestled in the countryside just off Highway DD. The 57-acre park offers the area's first adventure playground. Kids can climb an obstacle course with netting, swings, rock walls, and much more. There is a creek with a movable damn and stepping stones. There are also miles of paved and natural paths. Watch out for grass burns if rolling down the hill.
O’Fallon Splash Pad
(O’Fallon, IL)
Features two manmade creek areas with trickling water, a traditional splash pad with various sprayers and 3 small buckets. Kids can alternate between creeks, splash pad, and two playgrounds. Shade and benches available. Splash pad is not fenced and near the parking lot. Kids who run have access to the parking lot, but there is a good amount of space before the lot.
Silver Lake
(Highland)
Silver Lake runs along the shore of a lake with a 4+ mile wooded trail that is not stroller friendly. Leashed pets are welcome. The family enjoys playing in the water at the top of the hill and in the small waterfall/creek. There is a nice small playground. Careful! Fishing lines are often discarded in water. Local ordinance doesn’t allow swimming.
Tri Township Park
(Troy)
has a large pond with fish, ducks, and swans. Also has a toddler sized playground and a larger playground north of the lake or next to the skate park. Also has fishing, a pedestrian bridge, benches, covered picnic areas, grills, paved stroller friendly trails, fields, fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, gaga ball, frisbee golf, a remote control car park, restrooms, and a skate park. Parking can get difficult when sports are in season and some parks have very little shade. There are small trails around the site. Don't Miss: The adorable little zoo near the playground.
Watershed Nature Center
(Edwardsville)
is a 40+ acre outdoor learning center with stroller friendly paved trails, dirt trails, elevated walks over wetlands, observation towers, an observation blind, lakes, prairies, forest, and an interpretive welcome center. Paved stroller friendly trails. Pet friendly. Don't Miss: FREE discovery days.
Willoughby Farm
(Collinsville)
A 30 acre farm with rest rooms, picnic shelters, a large garden, hiking trails, an intricate play area with ride on toys, a wheel chair accessible swing, and kids' wheelbarrows. Also has cows, goats, ponies, bunnies, chickens, tractors, free ranging guinea hens, and a farm house. Trails with fun hidden gems that are not stroller friendly.
Wilson Park
(Granite City)
is a 74-acre park featuring a stroller-friendly paved walking trail with plenty of shade. Amenities include multiple shelters, restrooms, basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, a skate park, playgrounds for younger children, and a decorative fountain. Pet friendly. The Wilson Park Pool is nearby with water slide and wading pool. There's also an ice rink, formal gardens, and over 1,000 native and rare trees. Flat, paved trails loop around the park.
Woodland Park
(Collinsville)
A large community park with three playgrounds, ball fields, a disc golf course, and a scenic lake with ducks and geese. Plenty of benches and pavilions to rest, with gentle hills and bridges to explore (trails are not very stroller-friendly).
Drawbacks: Steeper paths off paved areas.
(Edwardsville)
has many pavilions, lots of climbing, handicapped accessible areas, large restrooms, water fountains, and a real airplane displayed. One of the large playgrounds is for younger children and the second is for older. Runs next to a large trail. NOT dog friendly.
Cahokia Mounds(Cahokia,IL)
A pre-Columbian Native American city and a UNESCO site. Grounds are open dawn- dusk. Monks Mound is the largest Earth Work in North America with 154 steps to the top. Leashed dogs are welcome outdoors. Wide paved paths with varying shade
Emmenegger Nature Park(Kirkwood, STL)
offers shaded hiking trails through a forested area alongside a shallow rocky creek perfect for summer splashing. A small picnic area sits near the entrance. Trails vary in length and steepness. No playground or bathrooms and trails can be muddy
Gardens at SIUE(Edwardsville)
is a botanical garden featuring a half-mile paved walking path with lots of shade. A great place for photos. Pet friendly. Don't Miss: The bridges over the train tracks and beautiful art. Can get crowded on beautiful weekends. A variety of well labeled trails are mostly paved with lots of shade, educational placards, and beautiful art.
Glazebrook Parks and Splash Pad (Alton)
has two ponds, two playgrounds, concession stands, three restrooms, shelters, a gazebo, soccer fields, a splash pad, and over 3 miles of walking trails. The splash pad has a large dump bucket, smaller buckets, sprayers, picnic tables with umbrellas, and a fence with a child lock. Staff were attentive and cleaned quickly. Chairs aren't very comfy. Bring some of your own for a longer stay. Located at 1401 Stamper Lane.
Horseshoe Lake(Pontoon Beach)
is a large natural area offering picnic shelters, hunting, fishing, camping, and hiking. The shallow lake is drained annually to support shorebird habitat. Over 287 bird species have been recorded here, including wintering Canadian geese and bald eagles. Korte Recreation Center
(Highland)
Playgrounds, fields, beautiful lake, and manicured gardens on site. Indoor site has a pool with toddler pool, hot tub, lazy river, whirlpool, and a two-story water slide. No diving area.
Cost: $4.50 to $23 per person. Family day passes available.
Lake Lou Yaeger (Litchfield, IL)
Milnot Beach at Lake Lou Yaeger offers lifejackets, water apparatus, diving boards, and a guarded swimming area. Hours vary seasonally. Family season passes available. Perfect for families with a range of ages. Can get crowded. Pulling onto floating equipment can be tricky. Cost: $7 adults, $5 children (5-17), under 5 free. Family season pass includes 10 members.
Leclaire Park(Edwardsville)
5.8 acres of land within the local historic district. The small park features a bandstand gazebo, a picnic pavilion, small children's playground areas, and a two-acre fishing lake. There is plenty of trees and shade. Pet Friendly. There is a sidewalk around the lake that closely borders the road at some points. Don't Miss: The geese, ducks, turtles, and great fishing.
Leon Corlew Park and Splash Pad(Edwardsville)
has a splash pad, workout area, large pavilions, bathrooms, barbecue grills, a concessions area, large playground, and younger children's playground. The splash pad has features for young and older kids, and shaded benches. Can get crowded. Adjacent playground\slides can be slick when wet. There is a short paved path around the splash pad and playground with some workout gear.
Mastodon State Historic Site (Imperial, MO)
Mastodon State Historic Site has a long shallow creek with many shady wading areas. To get to the creek, park near the playground, go past the bathrooms, and cross the bridge! The creek is ideal for splashing around. It can be crowded on weekends and holidays but usually has enough space to spread out. Pet friendly. No place to sit at the creek. Bring your own chairs. There are deep areas of the creek, so keep an eye on kids. Great trails with beautiful views and lots to discover. Don't Miss: Finding crayfish, snakes, and turtles!
The Nature Institute (Godfrey)
The Nature Institute has a number of shallow creeks to play in. Our family explored the Rock trail and Beaver Falls, which is small but worth the walk! It’s a relaxing spot for all ages to enjoy nature. NOT dog friendly. Closed Mondays. Restrooms close at 4 pm on weekdays and weekends.
O'Day Park(O'Fallon, Missouri)
Nestled in the countryside just off Highway DD. The 57-acre park offers the area's first adventure playground. Kids can climb an obstacle course with netting, swings, rock walls, and much more. There is a creek with a movable damn and stepping stones. There are also miles of paved and natural paths. Watch out for grass burns if rolling down the hill.
O’Fallon Splash Pad(O’Fallon, IL)
Features two manmade creek areas with trickling water, a traditional splash pad with various sprayers and 3 small buckets. Kids can alternate between creeks, splash pad, and two playgrounds. Shade and benches available. Splash pad is not fenced and near the parking lot. Kids who run have access to the parking lot, but there is a good amount of space before the lot.
Silver Lake (Highland)
Silver Lake runs along the shore of a lake with a 4+ mile wooded trail that is not stroller friendly. Leashed pets are welcome. The family enjoys playing in the water at the top of the hill and in the small waterfall/creek. There is a nice small playground. Careful! Fishing lines are often discarded in water. Local ordinance doesn’t allow swimming.
Tri Township Park(Troy)
has a large pond with fish, ducks, and swans. Also has a toddler sized playground and a larger playground north of the lake or next to the skate park. Also has fishing, a pedestrian bridge, benches, covered picnic areas, grills, paved stroller friendly trails, fields, fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, gaga ball, frisbee golf, a remote control car park, restrooms, and a skate park. Parking can get difficult when sports are in season and some parks have very little shade. There are small trails around the site. Don't Miss: The adorable little zoo near the playground.
Watershed Nature Center (Edwardsville)
is a 40+ acre outdoor learning center with stroller friendly paved trails, dirt trails, elevated walks over wetlands, observation towers, an observation blind, lakes, prairies, forest, and an interpretive welcome center. Paved stroller friendly trails. Pet friendly. Don't Miss: FREE discovery days.
Willoughby Farm(Collinsville)
A 30 acre farm with rest rooms, picnic shelters, a large garden, hiking trails, an intricate play area with ride on toys, a wheel chair accessible swing, and kids' wheelbarrows. Also has cows, goats, ponies, bunnies, chickens, tractors, free ranging guinea hens, and a farm house. Trails with fun hidden gems that are not stroller friendly.
Wilson Park(Granite City)
is a 74-acre park featuring a stroller-friendly paved walking trail with plenty of shade. Amenities include multiple shelters, restrooms, basketball and tennis courts, baseball fields, a skate park, playgrounds for younger children, and a decorative fountain. Pet friendly. The Wilson Park Pool is nearby with water slide and wading pool. There's also an ice rink, formal gardens, and over 1,000 native and rare trees. Flat, paved trails loop around the park.
Woodland Park
(Collinsville)
A large community park with three playgrounds, ball fields, a disc golf course, and a scenic lake with ducks and geese. Plenty of benches and pavilions to rest, with gentle hills and bridges to explore (trails are not very stroller-friendly).
Drawbacks: Steeper paths off paved areas.