Cristina Stead Pond Playground

Right on the edge of the pond in Franklin, this one’s a proper local gem. The play structure keeps kids busy with slides and climbing, and the fencing along the water side means you’re not constantly hovering — which parents around here will appreciate. Grab one of the picnic tables under the shade trees and you’ve genuinely got a decent afternoon sorted. The open grass field gives older kids room to kick a ball around while littler ones do their thing on the equipment. It’s the kind of spot where you end up staying way longer than planned.