Project Playground II

Honestly, this place is hard to beat for a free afternoon out — it’s big, it’s fenced with one way in and out, and parents can actually breathe for a minute knowing their kid isn’t going anywhere. The climbing structure, slides, and swings cover pretty much every age, and the benches are well-placed so you’re not craning your neck the whole time. Clean restrooms with a water bottle filler is a detail you don’t realize you need until you need it. The location next to Scovill Zoo is the real bonus — catch the zoo train rolling by or spot the flamingos from the play area, which is genuinely a weird and fun thing to see mid-afternoon. There’s a walking path too if you want to stretch your legs after.