Ford Playground

If you live in Vail, you probably already know this one — and if you don’t, get over there. Ford Playground has a solid mix of slides, swings, a climbing structure, and a sandbox, so it genuinely works for the whole crew whether you’ve got a toddler or a kid pushing 13. The shade trees actually do their job on hot summer afternoons, which anyone who’s sat on a shadeless playground bench knows is not something to take for granted. Picnic tables, restrooms, and parking all check out, and the mountain views in the background make it feel like a pretty unfair upgrade over your average neighborhood park. The bike path access is a nice bonus if you’re the type to make a whole afternoon of it.