Guide to parks with the best playgrounds in the Triangle
Looking for parks with the best playgrounds in the Triangle?
Our favorite playgrounds have play areas for children of different ages, features for children of all abilities and creative touches like rides, ziplines, climbing structures, splash pads and much more.
Parks with best playgrounds in Raleigh
Sassafras All Children's Playground in Laurel Hills Park
3808 Edwards Mill Road
The gigantic playground at Laurel Hills Park is more like a miniature city. It might be one of the biggest play structures in Raleigh, so much so that parents will want to accompany very small children on the play structure itself! There are slides of various heights -- from very tall to toddler-size -- and a special metal slide that goes very, very fast. There is also a very popular zipline older kids will love!
Pullen Park
520 Ashe Ave., Raleigh
A Raleigh icon, Pullen Park was the first public park in North Carolina, established in 1887. There is an indoor carousel, a train, kiddie boats, a snack bar, pedal boating, multiple playgrounds, lush green fields with shaded picnic areas and much more.
Kids will love exploring the bright red caboose in the playground area, which is also a fantastic photo opportunity. The playground is divided into different areas for different age groups -- there is a play area for preschool children and one for school-age kids. There is also an entire section of swings -- no more waiting around trying to snag one!
Purchase tickets for the train, kiddie boats and carousel online. Tickets are $2 per person per ride, although children under age 1 ride free with an adult. Keep in mind the rides do not run between Nov. 29 to Dec. 19 for the popular Holiday Express event.
John Chavis Memorial Park
505 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Raleigh
Another historic Raleigh park, John Chavis Memorial Park is home to the Allan Herschell Carousel (closed for repairs), a splash pad, a skywalk climbing feature, play structures for multiple age groups and a community center. There's also a super cool tunnel slide. The park includes a half-mile section of the Capital Area Greenway Trail.
Best playgrounds in Cary
Kids Together Playground in Marla Dorrel Park
111 Thurston Drive, Cary
This large, inclusive playground is for kids of all ages and abilities, with wheelchair accessible sand table and play structures, molded swings, graded ramps and adult sized changing tables.
Parents of little ones who love to run fast will love that the preschool play area is enclosed by a fence. There is a playhouse, sand area, bucket swings and mini playground just for toddlers (it's low to the ground, so they won't get hurt if they fall!) Near the picnic shelter area, kids can play on KATAL the dragon -- the Kids Together mascot.
There is a medium-size, wheelchair accessible play structure with fast and classic slides, tire swings, climbing structures and more. Older kids will enjoy the tall green and purple play structure in the middle of the park with plenty of space to climb and slide.
Finally, a paved trail connects to the park, and it's only a short walk to a pedestrian overpass that crosses U.S. Highway 1.
Downtown Cary Park
327 South Academy St., Cary
The brand new Downtown Cary Park, which opened Nov. 19, is like a Central Park in the heart of downtown Cary. "The Nest" playground area features slides for toddlers and two large cardinals older kids can climb and slide down. There is also a seasonal splash pad, dog parks (for large and small dogs), a bark bar, a snack bar for humans, a skywalk and gardens and much, much more. Families can spend several hours here!
North Cary Park
1100 Norwell Blvd., Cary
Kids will have a blast on this playground. For little ones, there is a low play structure, lots of sand and a parent-and-me swing. Older kids will love the rock boulder climbing structure, giant slides built into the earth and sports fields for basketball, volleyball and soccer.
For adults, there is a gorgeous wooded trail and a large picnic shelter near the bathrooms that can host 100 people.
Jack Smith Park
9725 Penny Road, Raleigh
The town of Cary's Jack Smith Park features a splash pad, a 10-foot climbing wall and a spacious playground area. There is a dog park attached and public art, including a flock of sheep kids will love and three whirligigs.
Best playgrounds in Apex
Pleasant Park
3400 Pleasant Plains Road, Apex
This brand-new park opened Nov. 4 with a 35-foot-tall slide for older kids and a 1.5 acre "Enchanted Forest" with nine inclusive play villages and a splash pad (open seasonally).
Crowder County Park
4709 Ten-Ten Road, Apex
This giant Apex park is great for children -- and parents -- on the move. There is a paved trail perfect for stroller walks with playgrounds along the way -- you might even see some turtles and other wild animals! The largest playground features tall slides older kids will love. There are interpretive exhibits and trails and much, much more.
Kelly Road Park
1609 Kelly Road, Apex
Kelly Road Park features a huge play structure with areas designed for children ages 2-5 and for children ages 5-12.
