Go Ask Mom

10 Playgrounds: Check out new, old playgrounds across the Triangle

Antsy on this day after Thanksgiving? Check out these 10 playgrounds across the Triangle on this beautiful fall day.

Posted Updated
Sassafras All Children's Playground opens
By
Sarah Lindenfeld Hall
With temperatures forecasted to reach 70 degrees today, it's a perfect day to visit a playground. We have several new ones in the region (which I highlighted in Go Ask Mom's list of 20 Thanksgiving weekend activities post).

I thought I'd pull them out here and share some other playgrounds that are well worth the drive on this beautiful vacation day.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Sassafras All Children's Playground, Raleigh. I'll be taking my sister and her kids to this playground, which opened at Laurel Hills Park this month. The biggest playground in Raleigh, it's designed for kids of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs or with other mobility issues. 3808 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh.
Hundreds came out for the opening of Sassafras All Children's Playground, Laurel Hills Park, 3808 Edwards Mill Rd., Raleigh.
Jack Smith Park, Cary. Opened in September, the park includes a nice sized playground, public art, some open space to run and a 10-foot-tall climbing rock for beginners to experienced climbers. 9725 Penny Rd., Cary.
The park at 9725 Penny Rd., Cary, includes a playground, sprayground and dog park.
Crowder District Park, Apex. This Wake County playground opened back up this month after getting a complete overhaul. The park also has some great trails for quick family hikes. 4709 Ten Ten Rd., Apex.
Courtesy: Facebook
Carpenter Park, Cary: The park opened this summer in western Cary and includes a playground, basketball court, terraced lawn, preserved forest and more, including a a privately funded memorial for American Eagle flights 3378 and 3379 that crashed in Cary in 1988 and 1994, respectively. 4420 Louis Stephens Rd., Cary.
The 16-acre park is at 4420 Louis Stephens Rd., Cary Courtesy: Town of Cary

And a few existing ones that are well worth the drive ...

Knightdale Station Park, Knightdale. This farm and train-themed playground features a two-story silo with a big tube slide. There's also this awesome swing designed for parents and little ones to swing together. 810 N. First St., Knightdale.
Courtesy: Town of Knightdale
Kelly Road Park, Apex. This long-time favorite playground will feel familiar for the families out there who miss the original wooden castle-like playground once found at Laurel Hills Park in Raleigh. They both were designed by the same company. 1609 Kelly Rd., Apex.
Playground review: Kelly Road Park
Kids Together Park, Cary. A beautiful, leafy playground with play pieces spread throughout. There's a huge sand area for little ones, along with pieces designed for kids of all abilities. A quick walk along the greenway to MacDonald Woods Park is always fun. 111 Thurston Dr., Cary.
Kids love playing on this art sculpture/play structure - KATAL, the Kids Together mascot.
Duke Park, Durham. I've always loved the really tall tube slides and opportunities for climbing, bouncing and playing here. (I need to get back!). 106 W. Knox St., Durham.
Duke Park
Community Center Park, Chapel Hill. Another long-time favorite for Triangle parents, this playground sits across the street from University Place (with Kidzu Children's Museum) and not far from Franklin Street (with Morehead Planetarium and Science Center). 120 S. Estes Dr., Chapel Hill.
And, of course, Pullen Park, Raleigh. This destination playground features a carousel, train, kiddie boats and a big playground. It's also the site of the very popular Holiday Express event (which means that the park will be closed to the general public a bit in the coming weeks on the days of the Holiday Express). 520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh.
A view of the carousel house on opening weekend
Looking for more? Our parks and playground database lists dozens of parks across the region.

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