Brookside Park Main

If you’re local to Ashland, you probably already know Brookside is the go-to spot for families with kids across the age range. The enclosed play area is a genuine lifesaver for parents of toddlers — little ones can dig around in the sandbox without you constantly chasing them toward the parking lot. Older kids have their own space too, and the bike track keeps the bigger ones busy while you actually sit on a bench for five minutes. The duck pond and trail access into the woods give the whole place a relaxed, outdoorsy feel that you don’t always get from a city park. It’s well-kept, which honestly makes a bigger difference than people realize.