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The Many Playgrounds
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*Stared parks are favorites! Arranged alphabetically.
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*Airplane Park- Township Park (Edwardsville)
Has many pavilions, lots of climbing, handicapped accessible areas, large restrooms, water fountains, tennis courts, a skate rink, a soccer field, a gaga ball area, three playgrounds, restrooms, and a real airplane displayed at the front of the park. One of the large playgrounds is for younger children and the second is for older. Dogs are not allowed. Belk Park (Wood River) A 234-acre park with an 18-Hole Championship Golf Course, a lake for fishing, a clubhouse for rent, picnic areas, a ball field, three children’s playgrounds, restrooms, shelters, woodland, and open space. There is a one mile paved walkway around a lake that is stroller and pet friendly with benches to sit near the water. Central Park (Round House/Aquatic Center) (Wood River) A five-acre park with the Aquatic Center, bandstand, playground, gazebo, barbecue pits, flower garden and large activity center commonly referred to as the “Round House”. Drost Park (Maryville) A park with lots of shade trees, several pavilions, about three miles of paved walking trails which are good for strollers, a boat ramp, a soccer field, barbecue grills, picnic tables, benches, a community garden, a workout area, playgrounds, drinking fountains, and restrooms and a seven-acre lake with fish, turtles, and ducks. Has 2 playgrounds for younger and older kids. Pet friendly. Emerick Sports Complex (Wood River) This 8-acre complex is located on the North End of Sixth Street at Park Lane. Has the Surf’s Up Playground, three lighted softball diamonds, one baseball diamond, a concession stand, a lake for fishing, a soccer field. Glazebook Park (Godfrey) 120-acres with playgrounds, ponds with fish and frogs, concession stands, restrooms, rentable pavilions, a rentable gazebo, soccer fields and 3 miles of walking trails with shade trees. There are picnic tables under trees by a water fountain. Home to the Great Godfrey Corn Maze. Pet friendly. Gordon Moore Park (Alton) 704 acre park with tennis courts, a lake for fishing, ball diamonds, soccer fields, football fields, a 27 hole golf course, oriental garden, picnic area, nature trail, and rose garden. Also has restrooms, an interactive fountain, several playgrounds for all ages, a rose garden, bell tower, and oriental garden. Glik Park (Highland) A park with restrooms, playgrounds, lighted fields, soccer fields, a football field, a basketball court, and a skate park. Also has paved stroller-friendly walking trails with sculptures, plants, and flowers. Trails do not have much shade. Park is next to Korte Center. Has fenced in dog park with shade. Hoppe Park (Edwardsville) 10.0 acre park with lighted baseball fields, a concession/ restroom building, and playground areas. *John M. Olin Nature Preserve- The Nature Institute (Godfrey) Trails open 8am- 8pm Tuesday-Sunday Approximately 300 acres of forest and grassland habitats with educational programming, a large playground, ample parking, and unpaved well marked trails. Open to the public year-round. Located along the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Restroom are closed at 4pm on weekdays and on weekends. NOT pet friendly. Leclaire Park (Edwardsville) 5.8 acres of land within the local historic district. The small park features a bandstand gazebo, a picnic pavilion, three children's playground areas, a pond with turtles and ducks, restrooms, a lighted fountain, a waterfall, and a two-acre fishing lake. There is plenty of trees and shade. Pet Friendly. *Leon Corlew Park & Splash Pad (Edwardsville) This site 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. Miner Park (Glen Carbon) Several acre park with a small playground in between two baseball fields, basketball courts, swings, pavilions, a large sledding hill, barbecue grills, a stroller friendly walking path, a walking/biking trail, restrooms, and red caboose at the entrance. Pet friendly/home of dog park. Undergoing construction for a new playground. *Pleasant Ridge Park (Maryville) Park has a large pavilion, a small path, an area for bags, a large playground with an area for younger and older children with lots of swings. Ray M. Schon Park (Glen Carbon) A park with new playground equipment (best for older kids), a toddler swing, a pond with geese, turtles, and fish, a pavilion a walking\biking trail, stroller friendly paths, restrooms, pet friendly. *Rinderer Park (Highland) Park designed to remove barriers so ALL children can play side by side with their peers and families. Includes a glider, slides, musical elements, wheelchair-accessible teeter totter, lots of climbing equipment, and unique swings. There is also a stroller friendly walking trail with some shade, a dog park, a veteran memorial, and restrooms. Has a dog park with obstacles. *Silver Lake (Highland) Park runs along the shore of a lake with a 4+ mile wooded trail that is not stroller friendly. Has a frisbee golf course, (small) climbing wall, archery range, man made waterfall/creek area, restrooms, ponds, sand volleyball court, playground, picnic shelters, fishing, and a boat ramp. Leashed pets are welcome. Soccer & Skate Park (Wood River) 43 acres that contain two lighted regulation soccer fields, one unlighted practice soccer field, a walking path, skateboard park, ample parking, a concession stand, and stadium bleachers to view the playing fields. Steve Bryant Community Park (Bethalto) This park has a one mile paved stroller friendly walking trail/bike path with exercise equipment, fishing lake, 2 large shelters, and a playground. Throughout the walking trail there are exercise machines with workout suggestions for each type of equipment. Pet friendly. Springer Woods Park (Edwardsville) A wooded nature area on 10.4 acres that winds through a quiet neighborhood. Springer Woods Park includes a children’s playground, exercise trail, two small picnic table shelters, and a barbecue grill. Township Park (Saint Jacob) Has a 1 mile paved stroller friendly walking path, a water fountain, ball fields, pavilions, and new playground areas. 1 fenced in playground for smaller children and 1 larger playground for older kids. Pet friendly Tri-Township Park (Troy) Has a large pond with fish, ducks, and swans. It also has 4 playgrounds younger kids will enjoy the toddler sized playground on the south side of the lake while older kids may prefer the playground north of the lake or next to the skate park. Also has fishing, a pedestrian bridge, shaded benches, covered picnic areas, BBQ grills, paved stroller friendly walking trails, baseball fields, soccer fields, tennis courts, sand volleyball, a gaga ball area, frisbee golf, a remote control car park, restrooms, and a skate park. There is a small petting zoo near the playground. *Willoughby Farm (Collinsville) A 30 acre farm with rest rooms, picnic shelters, a large garden, four hiking trails. Trails are not stroller friendly. There is an intricate play area with ride on toys, a wheel chair accessible swing, kids' wheelbarrows. Also has cows, goats, ponies, bunnies, chickens, tractors, and a farm house. Wilson Park (Granite City) Park with a stroller friendly paved walking trail around the park with lots of shade. Also has a pavilion, restrooms, small playgrounds for younger children, tennis Courts, baseball fields, a skate park, and a fountain. Pet friendly. Woodland Park (Collinsville) This large park has 3 playgrounds, a lake with wildlife, ball fields, a disc golf course, a lake with ducks and geese, restrooms, and a disc golf course. There are plenty places to sit either on benches or in pavilions. The park has lots of pretty hills and neat bridges, but trails are not very easy with a stroller. |
John M. Olin Nature Reserve: The Nature Institute
(Godfrey)
Silver Lake (Hillsboro)
Drost Park (Maryville)
Leon Corlew Park and Splash Pad (Edwardsville)
Pleasant Ridge Park (Maryville)
Willoughby Farm (Collinsville)
Airplane Park- Township Park (Edwardsville)
Willoughby Farm (Collinsville)
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Worth the trip
Outside Madison County
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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. Queeny Park Playground (Ballwin, Missouri) This park is a great fit for elementary aged children. (Toddlers struggle with the ground cover and may not feel confident to play.) The park's main feature is a pyramid made of stone and concrete. There are tunnels, mountains, and slides. The ground cover is pea gravel, so make sure to have closed toe shoes. Around the playground, you can find 564 acres of parkland. Veterans Tribute Park (Weldon Spring, Mo) The playground is divided into a motion-activated water play area, a music area, an adventure playscape, swings, and a hillside slide. There is also a 1.6 mile trail, two lakes for fishing, play fields, a dog park, shelters, and a raised boardwalk. The two lakes are stocked for catch-and-release fishing. Wildwood Community Park Shaw Nature Reserve Highland Park in Richmond Heights Moody Park Zachary's Playground at Hawk Ridge Park |
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