Frear Park Playground on North Lake

If you’re on the north side of Troy, this park is genuinely one of the better spots to take kids without it turning into a whole production. There’s a solid setup — slides, swings, a climbing structure, and one of those old-school merry-go-rounds you don’t see much anymore. The open grass field gives kids room to actually run around, and the walking path is great for parents who want to keep moving while the little ones do their thing. Come winter, the hills here are solid for sledding, which gives it a longer season than most playgrounds. Restrooms on-site, not too crowded — it just works.