5 Kid-Friendly Parks & Playgrounds in the City, Pt. 2
Ready to explore a new-to-you playground? I’ve got five (more) parks and playgrounds for you to try with your kiddos. (Check out my first five suggestions here!) And don’t worry — trying these spots won’t be too stressful because I’ve included everything you need to know, like bathroom accessibility and if you should bring your stroller.
— by Megan Ariail, Contributing Writer (and the brains behind The West End Mom. Follow her @thewestendmom!)
By the way, here’s Pt. 1, if you missed it or need a refresher!
Abner Clay Park
Located in Jackson Ward, Abner Clay Park is an urban green space with a brand new playground. With new art installations, upgraded walking paths, and a refreshed basketball court, the City of Richmond did a great job with the 2019 renovations. The highlight for families, of course, is the playground with brand new equipment for little kids and big kids, ADA flooring, and a fence.
Why we love it: This is the only playground in the area with a fire pole that moves up & down – my children love playing on the pretend fire truck and saving people using the fire pole. Richmond Fire Station 5 is also across the street, so you may see the real ones too. The ADA flooring makes it accessible for all children, plus it’s a soft surface for babies to crawl & new walkers.
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Shade: Partial
Stroller-friendly: Yes
Restrooms: No; bring a portable changing station or a travel potty.
Nearby: Lift Coffee Shop and Cafe is less than 4 minutes away.
Location: 200 W Clay St (Jackson Ward)
Carillon’s Tot Lot
Located next to the Virginia World War Memorial Carillon, this playground offers a lot of play options for families. The playground itself has a climbing structure, slides, see-saws, and more. It’s surrounded by open green space, perfect for picnics and running. It’s also located a short distance from Byrd Park, Maymont, and the Pump House.
Why we love it: It’s almost completely fenced in, making it an option for solo trips with multiple children. It also has unique equipment like the big kid/little kid joint swing – it’s my children’s favorite part of this park.
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Shade: Partial
Stroller-friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Porta potties available, but bring a portable changing station or a travel potty.
Nearby: Boulevard Burger and Brew is a 10-minute drive away.
Location: 1415 Pump House Dr (The Fan)
Bryan Park
Dedicated as a park in 1909, Bryan Park sits between the City of Richmond and Henrico. It’s a gorgeous park with rolling hills, ponds, streams, and trails through the woods. The 17-acre azalea garden is a family-friendly spot to see blooms in the spring, and the park’s large farmers market is a fun event for families all year long.
Why we love it: The playground has more than six swings, so you will always have one. We also love all the hills for rolling, running, and sledding. RVA Big Market meets each Saturday from 8 am to noon, making it a really easy and fun Saturday activity, too.
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Shade: The playground has full sun, and the trails have partial shade.
Stroller-friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Porta potties available, but bring a portable changing station or a travel potty.
Nearby: SB’s Lakeside Love Shack is fewer than five minutes away.
Location: 4308 Hermitage Road (Northside)
Forest Hill Park
Located in Forest Hill, this 105-acre city park is the perfect spot for a play date, picnic, or family walk. It has tennis courts, picnic shelters, walking trails, a playground, and wetlands. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places; it used to be a terminal for the Forest Hill trolley and an amusement park with a carousel and roller coaster.
Why we love it: The playground has two structures — one for big kids and one for little kids, so it keeps both of my kiddos happy. There are so many hills and large trees that also provide opportunities for pretend play. We also love visiting on Sundays — the South of the James Market is open from 10 am to 1 pm.
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Shade: The playground has full sun, but there are plenty of large trees and shady trails surrounding it.
Stroller-friendly: The playground area is stroller-friendly, but the trails have some portions with steps.
Restrooms: Porta potties available, but bring a portable changing station or a travel potty.
Nearby: Crossroads and Little Nickel are fewer than five minutes away.
Location: 1209 Admiral Street (Forest Hill)
Chimborazo Park & Playground
Stretching 30 acres, Chimborazo Park has gorgeous views of the city, and some of the most unique statues in Richmond (like a miniature Statue of Liberty). While there are plenty of trails and green space in the park, the highlight for families with little kids is the playground. It’s about a block from the park, and it’s easy to walk to and from both areas. Renovated in 2009, the playground has a community garden, basketball courts, and a play space with swings and a playground.
Why we love it: The playground is the perfect size for children ages six and under. The slides aren’t too steep, and the climbing wall isn’t too tall. My children love the playhouse and the wooden boat — you won’t find many of these structures around town.
Hours: Daily from dawn to dusk
Shade: Partial
Stroller-friendly: Yes
Restrooms: Yes, but they aren’t always unlocked. There’s a porta potty on the property, too.
Nearby: Anthony’s on the Hill is less than a five-minute walk away.
Location: 29th & East Grace St (Church Hill)
For more family-friendly fun:
