Russell Creek Playground

Honestly one of the better-kept parks in Plano — the playground got a recent update and it shows. There’s solid climbing structure and slides for kids roughly 2 to 12, and enough shade trees and covered seating that you’re not melting while you watch them play. When the little ones are done, you’ve got a basketball court, soccer field, and a walking and bike path that loops around the lake, which makes it easy to turn a playground trip into a longer outing. The restrooms are actually clean, parking is easy, and the picnic tables get good use on weekends. It’s the kind of park where you show up for an hour and end up staying three.